PNNL

Abstract

One of the keys to developing viable solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems is to first develop reliable and inexpensive stack sealing technology. Three general approaches are currently being pursued, including: rigid bonded sealing, compressive sealing, and compliant bonded sealing. This review highlights the advantages and limitations of each option, discusses some of the leading concepts, and outlines the future steps that need to be taken in their development. Given the number of different SOFC stack designs under development, the variety of potential applications/conditions in which these systems can be used, and the complexities of stack manufacture, it is likely that no one sealing technique will be suitable for all uses. Therefore continued progress in each general area, as well as the development of new concepts, is critical to the eventual success of SOFC technology.