Alternative Energy Comes Closer With Advances In Hydrogen Fuel Cell Sealing Technology

ENERGY TECH

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC).

by Staff Writers
Chulalongkorn, Thailand (SPX) Jun 15, 2007
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) have attracted major interest from research and development communities as an alternative source of power, with commercial trials already under way. In these fuel cells electricity is generated via electro-chemical reactions using hydrogen based gas and oxygen as a fuel and oxidant, respectively.

Sealing these units is a critical technical issue that needs further work before they can be put into widespread commercial use. In particular the system chosen must exhibit good gas tightness, adhesion with adjoining components (electrolyte and connector), chemical compatibility, matching coefficient of thermal expansion and electrical insulation.

Recent work from researchers, Apichart Jinnapat, Sirithan Jiamsirilert and Sumittra Charojrochkul from Chulalongkorn University and Thailand's National Metals and Materials Technology Center, and published under AZojomo (OARS), looked at ceramic adhesives and ceramic-glass composites. These materials were examined in terms of their chemical and thermal compatibilities with respect to potential use in SOFCs.

The researchers found that all materials tested displayed good compatibility with the yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte and 430 stainless steel interconnector system. In general glass-ceramic composite materials sealed better than ceramic adhesives.

Their sealing properties were also found to be superior after being subjected to thermal cycling. The most promising sealing material was a 80/20 Pyrex glass/YSZ composite material which recorded a leakage rate as low as 2.41 x 10 -4 cm 3/min cm.

Email This Article

ENERGY TECH

Chinese Officials Say Ditch The Suit And Slash Energy Use

Beijing (AFP) June 14, 2007
Chinese officials have revealed their latest weapon against excessive energy use -- encouraging office workers to ditch business suits in favour of T-shirts, state media reported Thursday. Several leaders of the State Council, China's cabinet, have called on office workers to dress in light, casual clothing instead of the typical suit so that air conditioners can be turned down, the English-language China Daily said.

ENERGY TECH Chinese Officials Say Ditch The Suit And Slash Energy Use Alternative Energy Comes Closer With Advances In Hydrogen Fuel Cell Sealing Technology Russian Utility Eyes 700-Million-Euro Kyoto Windfall Spanish Fenosa To Invest In Latin American Renewables	CIVIL NUCLEAR Thousands Of Protestors Rally Against Indonesian Nuclear Plant Thailand To Build First Nuclear Plant Wyle And ARES Corporation Sign Teaming Agreement To Pursue Nuclear Energy Industry Business NGO Warns Of Explosion Risk At Russian Nuclear Storage
BLUE SKY AIRS Global Map Of Carbon Dioxide From Space Widespread Twilight Zone Detected Around Clouds Rand Says Further Study Warranted On Save The World Air Technology Noxious Lightning	WOOD PILE Rove Beetles Act As Warning Signs For Clear-Cutting Consequences Woods Hole Research Center Scientists Study Impacts Of Industrial Logging In Central Africa Zimbabwe Forests Under Threat While Cambodia Censors Logging Report Uganda Shelves Plan To Convert Rainforest
FARM NEWS Livestock Virtually Fenced In A Crop Containment Strategy For GM Farms Study Predicts Grim Future For European Seas Compost Reduces P Factor In Broccoli, Eggplant, Cabbage Trial	CAR TECH Toyota To Make Diesel Engines With Isuzu Honda To Produce Green Diesel Cars Toyota Develops More Fuel-Efficient Engine System GM Wants To Drive Green But Easy On The Rules
AEROSPACE easyJet Plans Greener Aircraft By 2015 Airbus Wants To Cut CO2 Emissions By Half By 2020 Airlines To Order Nearly 30,000 New Planes In Next 20 Years Airlines Pledge Emissions Cuts But Warn EU Curbs Could Jeopardise Sector	NUCLEAR SPACE Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement