Different fuel cell shapes offer different advantages. These are summarised below.
Planar Fuel Cell Geometry Features
- Simple design, with electrolyte (or more recently anode) support.
- Gases can be ducted either perpendicular (as shown) or parallel.
- Main drawback is requirement of high temperature seals to prevent gas mixing.
Tubular Fuel Cell Geometry Features
- Unit structure reduces thermal induced stresses in the stack.
- Cathode support.
- No requirement for seals.
- Main drawback is it requires many expensive processing techniques.