CELL MATERIALS VARIATION IN SOFC STACKS TO ADDRESS THERMAL GRADIENTS IN ALL PLANES

摘要

A solid oxide fuel cell having a plurality of planar layered fuel cell units,an electrically conductive flow separatorplate disposed between each of the fuel cell units, and a cathode contactmaterial element disposed between each cathode electrodeof the fuel cell units and each electrically conductive flow separator plate.The cathodes of the individual fuel cell units are modifiedsuch that the operating temperatures of the cathodes are matched with thetemperatures they experience based upon their locationsin the fuel cell stack. The modification involves adding to the cathodecontact material and/or cathode at least one alloying agentwhich modifies the temperature of the cathode electrodes based upon thelocation of the cathode electrodes within the fuel cell stack.These alloying agents react with a component of the cathode electrode to formalloys.