The Calculation of Temperature and Thermal Stress Distributions in the Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.

The temperature and thermal stress distributions in a planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) were calculated using a finite element method in order to determine guidelines for the selection of cell materials. The calculations indicate that the thermal stress is generated in a planar SOFC composed of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, a LaMnO3 Cathode, and a Ni-YSZ cermet anode. The largest stress is generated in the region of the cathode material. According to the calculations, if the linear expansion of the cathode material is 1.0 X 10(-6) (the linear expansion of porous LaMnO3 is 2.O X 10(-5)), the thermal stress in the SOFC will be relieved.