Performance Analysis of Flat-chip Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Discrete Interconnector Designs

Flat-chip solid oxide fuel cells (FCSOFCs) possess advantages in rapid start-up and thermal shock resistance. However, a significant performance discrepancy remains between single cell and stack. In this study, a 3D multi-physics model for the one-cell stack is developed based on the realistic structure and verified through experiments. For the first time, the impact of integrating the interconnectors on FCSOFC stack performance is investigated. Compared to the conventional parallel interconnector design, a suitable discrete design mitigates oxygen starvation and promotes a more uniform temperature distribution, effectively enhancing stack performance. As a result, the output power can be improved by up to 21.4%. The model presented in this study offers insightful guidance for the design of FCSOFC stacks.