Abstract:
A high temperature fuel cell stack system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, with an improved balance of plant efficiency includes a thermally integrated reformer, combustor and the fuel cell stack.
Abstract:
An electrochemical system includes a reversible fuel cell system which generates electrical energy and reactant product from fuel and oxidizer in a fuel cell mode and which generates the fuel and oxidant from the reactant product and the electrical energy in an electrolysis mode. The system also includes a reactant product delivery device which is adapted to supply the reactant product to the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode, in addition to or instead of the reactant product generated by the reversible fuel cell system in the fuel cell mode, and a fuel removal device which is adapted to remove the fuel generated by the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode from the electrochemical system.
Abstract:
A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode. The anode electrode includes a first portion made of a first anode material and a second portion made of a second anode material. The first anode material is a higher performance, lower oxidation resistant material than the second anode material.
Abstract:
A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption includes identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system. At least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system is operated in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption. Power is provided to the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system. The second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided in which ammonia is used as a fuel source for solid oxide fuel cell systems. In the various aspects a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled through one or more separation or conversion devices to create a purified recycled fuel exhaust stream that is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In various aspects a nitrogen separator may remove nitrogen from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, a water separator may remove water from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, and/or an ammonia reactor and hydrogen separator may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In a further aspect a molten carbonate fuel cell and/or Sabatier reactor may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack.
Abstract:
A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel.
Abstract:
A method of making a metal interconnect for an electrolytic cell stack includes oxidizing the metal interconnect prior to providing the oxidized metal interconnect into the electrolytic cell stack. A pre-oxidized metal interconnect for an electrolytic cell stack would not substantially further oxidize upon exposure to a subsequent oxidizing ambient at a temperature of at least 900° C. prior to or after being provided into the electrolytic cell stack.
Abstract:
A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells, a plurality of interconnects, and a plurality of seal members, wherein the plurality of seal members comprises one or more first seal members and one or more additional seal members, where the one or more first seal members form a protective barrier between the reducing environment contained with the fuel cell stack and the remaining seal members.
Abstract:
A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel.
Abstract:
A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells, a plurality of interconnects and a multi-material seal comprising a first seal material and a second seal material, where the second seal material first forms an effective seal at a higher temperature than the first seal material.