Abstract:
A solid oxide fuel cell (400) is made having having a tubular, elongated, hollow, active section (445) which has a cross-section containing an air electrode (452) a fuel electrode (454) and solid oxide electrolyte (456) between them, where the fuel cell transitions into at least one inactive section (460) with a flattened parallel sided cross-section (462, 468) each cross-section having channels (472, 474, 476) in them which smoothly communicate with each other at an interface section (458).
Abstract:
High-power density (HPD) fuel cells are known from the prior art, wherein such cells can be constructed from cohesive, triangular-shaped and coated hollow structures (?-cells). To form a group (bundle) of one complete fuel cell array, the individual HPD fuel cells must be electrically contacted together, wherein the contacting must absorb mechanical forces and thermal stresses. According to the invention, the contact consists of at least one hollow cord (11, 11'; 12, 12'; , 80) which each has at least three contact surfaces with the ?-cell, of which two contact surfaces connect neighboring anode surfaces and the third contact surface connects the interconnector of the next HPD fuel cell.
Abstract:
A solid oxide fuel cell generator is provided for electrochemically reacting a fuel gas with a flowing oxidant gas at an elevated temperature to produce power. The generator includes a generator section receiving a fuel gas and a plurality of elongated fuel cells extending through the generator section and having opposing open fuel cell ends for directing an oxidant gas between opposing plena in the generator. A sealant defines a seal on the fuel cells adjacent at least one of the fuel cell ends. The sealant is a modified lanthanum borate aluminosilicate glass composition having a minimal amount of boron oxide and silica, and in which the sealant maintains substantially constant physical characteristics throughout multiple thermal cycles.
Abstract:
Vom Stand der Technik sind HPD (High Power Density)-Brennstoffzellen bekannt, wobei solche Zellen aus zusammenhängenden triangelförmigen und beschichteten Hohlstrukturen (sog. Δ-Zellen) aufgebaut sein können. Zur Bildung einer Gruppe (Bündel) einer kompletten Brennstoffzellenanordnung müssen die einzelnen HPD-Brennstoffzellen miteinander elektrisch kontaktiert werden, wobei die Kontaktierung mechanische Kräfte und thermische Spannungen aufnehmen muss. Gemäß der Erfindung besteht der Kontakt aus wenigstens einer Hohlschnur (11, 11'; 12, 12';..., 80), die jeweils wenigstens drei Kontaktflächen mit der Δ-Zelle haben, von denen zwei Auflageflächen benachbarte Anodenflächen und die dritte Auflagefläche den Interkonnektor der nächsten HPD-Brennstoffzelle verbindet.