Solid oxide fuel cells (hereinafter referred to as SOFC) have been widely applied in various fields due to their high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and multifunctional characteristics.
Firstly, SOFC have broad applications in distributed power generation, as backup power for important facilities, mobile power sources, industrial fields, military fields, and more. Their efficient and reliable power output makes them an ideal choice. Secondly, SOFC can be combined with renewable energy systems to provide stable power output, compensating for the instability of renewable energy sources. Therefore, the high energy conversion efficiency, fuel versatility, low emissions, and high reliability of SOFC make their application prospects very promising. The production of SOFC is inseparable from the application of tape casting machines, which play an indispensable role in the SOFC manufacturing process. The development and manufacturing of tape casting machines are highly technical, independent, and specialized. Depending on different materials and production requirements, different models of tape casting machines are chosen. Additionally, certain parts of the equipment can be customized according to the specific needs of the product.
Zhejiang Dron Technology is a high-tech enterprise integrating development, design, manufacturing, sales, and service. We specialize in providing various types of fully automatic mass production equipment and experimental research and development equipment. One of our main products is the tape casting machine, which is a device used for manufacturing thin films and is widely used in industries such as electronics, physics, environmental protection, and new energy materials.
In the following text, we will specifically introduce the application of tape casting machines in SOFC and the advantages of using tape casting machines.
The Production of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells — Extensive Use of Tape Casting Machines
The production of SOFC involves the following main steps:
First is material preparation: The raw materials for the cathode, electrolyte, and anode need to be formulated and prepared. Ceramic powders are prepared using chemical synthesis methods such as sol-gel and co-precipitation. Once the materials are ready, the ceramic powder is mixed with organic binders, solvents, and other additives to form a homogeneous slurry. The viscosity and flow properties of the slurry are adjusted to suit the tape casting process. The slurry is degassed under vacuum to remove bubbles, preventing defects during the film-forming process.
The second step is tape casting: A tape casting machine is used to uniformly coat the slurry onto a substrate, forming a thin film. By adjusting the blade height and tape casting speed, the thickness of the film is precisely controlled to meet the design requirements for the electrolyte and electrode layers. Afterward, the cast film is dried in a constant temperature drying oven, allowing the solvent to gradually evaporate and leaving a uniform ceramic film. Following drying and sintering, the film becomes a dense solid oxide layer. This is typically done at room temperature to 80°C to prevent cracks or warping in the film. For SOFC requiring multi-layer structures, additional layers can be tape cast onto the dried film.
Finally, the cathode, electrolyte, and anode films are sintered at high temperatures. The pre-sintered films are sintered in a high-temperature furnace, typically at temperatures between 1200°C and 1500°C, depending on the materials used. During the sintering process, the heating and cooling rates must be controlled to avoid cracking in the films. This process improves the material's density and conductivity, resulting in a complete SOFC unit that is then assembled, packaged, and integrated.
In the above production steps, the tape casting machine is involved in various stages and plays a key role in the production of SOFC:
1.The tape casting machine can precisely control the thickness of the film, ensuring the uniformity of the electrolyte and electrode layers, and guaranteeing the even distribution of the slurry and the consistency of the film thickness, which is crucial for the performance of SOFC.
2.By adjusting the tape casting parameters, the thickness and density of the film can be precisely controlled to meet different design requirements.
3.The tape casting process can produce highly uniform films, which helps improve the electrochemical performance and reliability of SOFC.
4.The tape casting machine enables continuous production, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and making it suitable for large-scale production.
5.The tape casting process can be used to prepare multi-layer composite structures, optimizing the flow and adhesion properties of the ceramic slurry, which helps in producing high-quality SOFC films.
In SOFC production, the tape casting machine, with its high uniformity, precise thickness control, multi-layer structure preparation, high production efficiency, high material utilization, suitability for various materials, ease of process parameter optimization, and good repeatability and consistency, has become an essential device for producing high-quality SOFC components. These advantages not only enhance the electrochemical performance and stability of SOFC but also reduce production costs and accelerate the commercial application of SOFC technology.
ME Series Large Tape Casting Machine — Data Introduction
DL-LYJ-30ME1100 casting machine is our most advanced product, suitable for high-volume production requirements.With advanced servo tension control.quick alignment correction, and an efficient drying system, it is well-suited for the production of ceramic tapes ranging from 20 to 1500 micrometers. The entire process, from feeding to collecting the green bodies, is highly automated. The equipment is easy to use operate and maintain making it suitable for industrial casting.It has an impressive appearance and offers excellent after-sales service.
It is suitable for ceramic film casting, polymer film casting, alumina ceramic substrates, aluminum nitride ceramic substrates, silicon nitride ceramic substrates, and magnetic material film casting. The tape casting width ranges from 800mm to 1200mm and can be customized according to specific needs.
