Alternative energy comes closer with advances in hydrogen fuel cell sealing tech

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.

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.

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