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High Temperature Seals for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Parihar, Shailendra S.

Abstract Details

2007, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Engineering : Materials Science.
Solid Oxide Fuel cells (SOFCs) represent a clean and efficient alternative to existing methods of energy production. But, they need hermetic seals to prevent fuel-oxidant mixing within the stack. Glasses are attractive options for fabrication of these high temperature seals but suffer from their inherent brittleness and tend to crack during thermal cycling. In this study, an innovative concept of self-healing glass seals is developed to solve the problem of cracking of glasses in a SOFC seal. Rationale behind this concept is that a glass of suitable viscosity characteristics can flow and heal cracks at SOFC operating temperatures and thus can provide seals which can self-repair. A novel method, based on in-situ video imaging of cracks on the glass surface during high temperature treatment is developed and used to select and evaluate the suitability of different glasses for making self-healing seals. Promising glasses are studied experimentally to determine kinetics of healing of Vickers indented cracks at various temperatures. In addition, the effect of crystallization of glass on its healing kinetics is studied. A model is developed for crack healing behavior and is used to validate the experimental data. Studies on Cracks healing and crystallization of glasses showed that glasses with no crystallization tendency show fast crack healing response, whereas glasses which crystallize display sluggish healing. A glass displaying fast healing kinetics and good stability against crystallization is used to fabricate self healing glass seals for SOFCs. Seals fabricated using this glass not only remained hermetic but also maintained their self healing ability for as long as 3000 hours at 8000C and 300 thermal cycles between room temperature and 8000C. These results clearly indicated that self-healing glasses are promising candidates for SOFC seals.
Dr. Raj Singh (Advisor)
117 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Parihar, S. S. (2007). High Temperature Seals for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1172490697

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Parihar, Shailendra. High Temperature Seals for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. 2007. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1172490697.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Parihar, Shailendra. "High Temperature Seals for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1172490697

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)