Abstract:
Disclosed are solid oxide fuel cell systems, and methods for reducing temperature distribution across electrolytes within solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), and increasing overall system efficiency. In one embodiment, the SOFCs include preheating channels that are interposed between electrolyte electrode assemblies within SOFCs, to provide internal heat exchange. The fuel and/or air entering the SOFC can be preheated in the preheating channels, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for an external preheating system. The preheating channels also provide barriers between each electrolyte electrode assembly, which aids in isolating damage within a single fuel cell.
Abstract:
A method of replacing a fuel cell packet module in a fuel cell stack, said method comprising: (i) powering down the fuel cell stack; (ii) electrically disconnecting the fuel cell packet module from external power load, (iii) mechanically disconnecting the fuel cell packet module from the fuel cell stack; and (iv) removing the fuel cell packet module from the stack.
Abstract:
According to one aspect of the invention a fuel cell device comprises: a plurality of fuel cells, each of the plurality of fuel cells having an active area, wherein at least two of the plurality of fuel cells have differently sized active area, such that ratio of the active areas of these two fuel cells is at least 1.1:1.
Abstract:
A method for making a thin, free-standing ceramic sheet may include drawing a carrier film proximate a casting head and across a casting bed of a tape caster at a rate from about 2 cm/min to about 500 cm/min. Depositing a thin film of ceramic slip less than about 150 μm on the carrier film with the casting head. The ceramic slip may comprises a ceramic powder with an ultimate crystallite size of less than about 10 μm dispersed in a fluid vehicle such that the ceramic slip has a ceramic solids fraction of greater than about 20 % by volume. The deposited ceramic slip may be dried on the carrier film thereby forming a green ceramic sheet on the carrier film. After the green ceramic sheet is dried, the green ceramic sheet may be sintered.
Abstract:
A solid oxide fuel cell (10) comprising a thin ceramic electrolyte sheet (50) having an increased street width (22) is disclosed. Also disclosed are solid oxide fuel cells comprising: a substantially flat ceramic electrolyte sheet (50), a substantially flat ceramic electrolyte sheet having a seal area (34) of greater thickness than the active area of the electrolyte sheet, a ceramic electrolyte sheet (50) that overhangs (36) the seal area (34), a ceramic electrolyte sheet and at least one substantially flat border material, and a border material having a non-linear edge. Methods of making a solid oxide fuel cell in accordance with the disclosed embodiments are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making a solid oxide fuel cell (10) wherein the seal (40) has a uniform thickness, wherein the seal (40) is heated to remove a volatile component prior to sealing, and' wherein the distance between the frame (60) and the ceramic electrolyte sheet (50) of the device (10) is constant.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to insulating compositions for use in solid oxide fuel cells. Such compositions can be used to prevent seal damage and increase the electrical and ion efficiency.
Abstract:
An electrolyte sheet comprising two major surfaces, the electrolyte sheet including regions of differing compositions ( R1-R4 ), so that at least one of these regions Rl, R2, R3 has at least 1.5 times higher ionic conductivity than at least one other region R4; wherein the at least one other region R4 has 20% more tetragonal phase zirconia per volume than the least one region with higher ionic conductivity; and when viewed in cross-section taken through said major surfaces at least one of the regions exhibits a non-uniform thickness.
Abstract:
A portable solid oxide fuel cell assembly comprising: (i) at least one multi-cell device formed at least in part by a compliant electrolyte sheet; (ii) a frame module supporting the device, said frame module providing air and fuel to the device, the frame forming, in conjunction with the device at least one of: a single fuel chamber, a single air chamber adjacent to the active area of the at least one multi-cell device; wherein said at least one multi-cell device generates more than 5V of electricity and has a maximum dimension of no more than 0.5 meter.
Abstract:
The present invention provides structures and methods that utilize fuel reformation to assist in thermal management of a channel-less SOFC at the device cell and/or stack assembly level. At the device level, passive and/or active control of unreformed fuel, or a mixture of reformed and unreformed fuel, is used to inject fuel in a distributed manner along the anode chamber of the channel-less SOFC. The injected fuel can be controlled in its composition, pressure, velocities, and/or flow rates. Additionally, present invention provides thermal management across a plurality of fuel cells in a stack assembly by actively controlling fuel composition, pressure, velocities, and/or flow rates provided to fuel inlets of the fuel cells.
Abstract:
An electrolyte sheet (10) comprises a substantially non-porous body and has at least one stress-relief area (30) on at least a portion of the electrolyte sheet. The stress-relief area has a surface with a plurality of folds. The plurality of folds are arranged around and directed longitudinally toward a common central area.