Sonkit's Metal O-Ring Seals Enhance Performance in SOFCMAN Energy's Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Date: November 13, 2024

At Sonkit, we are proud to share a successful collaboration with SOFCMAN Energy, a leading company in the energy equipment industry specializing in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). Our advanced metal O-Ring seals played a pivotal role in enhancing the performance and reliability of their SOFC equipment, particularly in the critical application of air distribution flange sealing.

Challenge: Ensuring Superior Sealing in Extreme Conditions

SOFCMAN Energy required a sealing solution that could meet stringent operational demands:

• Application: Sealing on SOFC equipment air distribution flange
• Leakage Rate Requirement: Less than 1×10^-8 Pa·m³/s
• Operating Pressure: 100 kPa
• Pressure Direction: Internal
• Operating Temperature: 650–750 °C
• Flange Material: 310S stainless steel
• Flange Surface Roughness: Ra ≤ 0.4 μm

The extreme temperatures and precise leakage rate requirements demanded a sealing solution that could maintain integrity under harsh conditions while ensuring the efficiency of the fuel cell system.

Sonkit's High-Performance Solution

After a thorough analysis of the application requirements, our engineering team recommended the following solution:

• Seal Type: Metal O-Ring Seal
• Material: Alloy 718 (Inconel 718) for its excellent high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance
• Surface Treatment: Silver plating (20–30 μm) to enhance ductility and sealing performance
• Dimensions: Outer Diameter (OD) 24 mm

The selected metal O-Ring seal provided the necessary resilience and sealing integrity required for SOFCMAN Energy's application.

Test Results and Implementation

SOFCMAN Energy initially deployed 200 metal O-Ring seals produced by Sonkit. Rigorous testing and installation experiments demonstrated:

• Material and Size Compliance: The seals met all specified requirements.
• Sealing Performance: Achieved the desired leakage rate of less than 1×10^-8 Pa·m³/s.
• Operational Reliability: Performed consistently under operating temperatures of 650–750 °C.

Following the successful implementation, SOFCMAN Energy continued to collaborate with Sonkit, repurchasing metal O-Ring seals in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, underscoring the trust and satisfaction with our products and services.

Customer Testimonial

"The metal ring seals, specifically metal O-Rings provided by Sonkit Industry, are of high quality and consistently delivered on time within the specified delivery period. All of the staff at Sonkit exhibit excellent professionalism and enthusiasm, providing great customer service."

Why Choose Sonkit's Metal O-Ring Seals?

Our metal ring seals are designed to meet the most demanding applications:

• Exceptional Sealing Performance: Achieve ultra-low leakage rates critical for SOFC efficiency.
• High-Temperature Resilience: Materials like Alloy 718 withstand temperatures up to 750 °C.
• Corrosion Resistance: Suitable for harsh chemical environments within fuel cells.
• Customization: Tailored solutions to meet specific size and material requirements.
• Quality Assurance: Strict manufacturing and quality control processes ensure product reliability.

About Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are a type of fuel cell characterized by their use of a solid oxide electrolyte to produce electricity through electrochemical reactions. SOFCs operate at high temperatures (typically between 650–1,000 °C), offering high electrical efficiencies and fuel flexibility. They are widely used in distributed generation applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial power generation.

Reliable sealing solutions are essential in SOFCs to prevent gas leaks, ensure safety, and maintain efficiency. Sonkit's metal O-Ring seals provide the necessary performance to meet these critical requirements.

Connect with Sonkit for Your Sealing Needs

For more information on our high-performance metal ring seals and how they can enhance your applications, please visit our website or contact our team of experts.