Abstract:
A fuel cell cathode comprising a cathode body having rib regions and base regions which connect the rib regions, the rib regions being of greater thickness and of less porosity than the base regions.
Abstract:
A fuel cell gasket assembly for use in conjunction with a fuel cell stack by placing the gasket assembly between the periphery of a face of the stack and a manifold. The periphery of the stack face includes periphery portions that expand differently during operation of the stack. The gasket assembly comprises a member adapted to have different compressibilities over predetermined portions of the member and/or a resilient shim embedded in preselected sections the member whereby the gasket maintains contact with the periphery of the stack face and the manifold. The structure of the gasket assembly of the present invention provides a compliant fuel cell gasket assembly that accommodates bipolar plate growth and end cell growth in the fuel cell stack and maintains the gas seal between the stack and manifold structure.
Abstract:
A fibrous ceramic material including a plurality of fibers entangled with one another. The fibrous ceramic material includes at least one connector projecting between the fibers. At least a portion of the fibers have the connectors extending between and attach the fibers to one another. A method of manufacturing the fibrous ceramic material includes providing a precursor material having a plurality of fibers. A holder is provided for holding the precursor material. The precursor material is placed on the holder and both are heated to between about 1500 degrees Celsius and about 1700 degrees Celsius to form the fibrous ceramic material, thereby causing connectors to project from a portion of the fibers and attach the fibers to one another.
Abstract:
Carbonate fuel cathode side hardware having a thin coating of a conductive ceramic formed from one of LSC (La0.8Sr0.2CoO3) and lithiated NiO (LixNiO, where x is 0.1 to 1).
Abstract:
An anode support for supporting an anode electrode in a fuel cell assembly in which the anode support has a first support member formed of a porous non-wettable material and a second support member abutting and joined with the second member and having a plurality of through openings. Also disclosed is a bipolar separator having an electrolyte barrier over predetermined limited portions of its outer surface so as to prevent or retard electrolyte creeping.
Abstract:
A method of making a coated support material for use in fabricating a fuel cell matrix, comprising providing a support material, providing an alkaline precursor material, the alkaline precursor material being one of soluble in water and having a melting point of 400° C. or less, mixing the support material and the alkaline precursor material to form a mixture, and processing the mixture to cause the alkaline precursor material to coat the support material to form the coated support material.
Abstract:
A caulk is provided for use in a fuel cell system having an externally manifolded fuel cell stack, forming a gas seal between a manifold gasket and the stack face. The caulk is formed of a ceramic material and a binder formed into a paste.
Abstract:
A high-lithium carbonate electrolyte formed from a eutectic carbonate mixture including lithium carbonate and from an additional lithium-containing component adapted to form lithium carbonate during at least one of initial heat up and operation of the fuel cell.
Abstract:
A method of making a matrix element for carrying a carbonate electrolyte comprising providing a carbonate electrolyte material, pre-milling the carbonate electrolyte material to form a pre-milled carbonate electrolyte having a particle size of less than 0.3 microns, providing a support material, mixing the pre-milled carbonate electrolyte with the support material using a milling technique to form a mixture, and forming the mixture into the matrix element.
Abstract:
A loaded plate for use with or as part of a fuel cell of a fuel cell stack in which the loading material of the plate is in cord form. The loading material can be either an electrolyte or a catalyst and the cord form is realized by extruding the loading material on the plate.