In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO.sub.2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.

Systems and methods are provided for integrating a chemical looping combustion system with molten carbonate fuel cells to provide improved operation of the molten carbonate fuel cells when using the exhaust from a gas turbine or other electrical power generation device as the CO.sub.2 source for the MCFC cathodes. This integration can be accomplished by using metal oxide in the chemical looping combustion system to oxidize the anode output flow from the MCFCs. This can reduce or minimize the number of separations that need to be performed in order to process the concentrated CO.sub.2 present within the anode exhaust. By reducing, minimizing, or eliminating the CO and H.sub.2 in the anode exhaust, the need to perform more costly separations (such as cryogenic separation or amine washing) to obtain a high purity CO.sub.2 product stream can be reduced or minimized. Optionally, the cathode exhaust from the molten carbonate fuel cells can be used as an oxygen-containing stream for regeneration of the metal oxide.

An illustrative example system includes at least one fuel cell that is configured to generate electricity based on an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell includes an exhaust. A heat pump includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion valve. A coolant loop is external to the at least one fuel cell. The coolant loop has a first portion associated with the exhaust such that heat from the exhaust increases a temperature of coolant fluid in the first portion. The coolant loop has a second portion downstream of the first portion. The second portion of the coolant loop is associated with the evaporator such that heat from the coolant fluid in the second portion increases the temperature of the evaporator.

An energy management system having a fuel cell apparatus (150) as a power generator that generates power using fuel, and an EMS (200) that communicates with the fuel cell apparatus (150). The EMS (200) receives messages that indicate the status of the fuel cell apparatus (150) when normal operation, from the fuel cell apparatus (150).

A portable flame electric generation device having metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells includes a furnace, a heat shield structure, a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells and a housing structure. Each of the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells includes a porous metal substrate, a first anode layer, a second anode layer, an anode isolation layer, an electrolyte layer, a cathode isolation layer, a cathode interface layer and a cathode current-collecting layer. The metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell is capable of quickly starting up and withstanding thermal shocks, and also liquefied fuel cartridges are applied as heating and fuel sources for transforming the CO and H.sub.2 fuels into electricity via electrochemical reactions.

Provided are an electrochemical element and the like that have both durability and high performance as well as excellent reliability. The electrochemical element includes a metal support, and an electrode layer formed on/over the metal support. The metal support is made of any one of a FeCr based alloy that contains Ti in an amount of 0.15 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less, a FeCr based alloy that contains Zr in an amount of 0.15 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less, and a FeCr based alloy that contains Ti and Zr, a total content of Ti and Zr being 0.15 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less.

A thermal management system and a method of heating a water-surface load or sub-water load. The system includes an electrochemical power source which generates electrical power and heat as a byproduct or coproduct. The electrolyte contained in the electrochemical power source is configured to transport the heat that is generated by the electrochemical power source to at least one water-surface load or sub-water load.

A vehicle powered by a fuel cell power plant to conserve water includes a fuel cell to generate electricity and at least one of water or water vapor. The vehicle further includes one or more electric motors operatively coupled to the fuel cell to receive the electricity and propel the vehicle and an auxiliary system operatively coupled to the fuel cell to utilize the at least one of the water or water vapor generated by the fuel cell.

A power management system 1 comprises: a control unit 540 that performs high-temperature maintaining control maintaining a temperature of an SOFC 110 during an operation within a predetermined temperature range; and a specifying unit 530 that specifies a period during which the high-temperature maintaining control should be performed. The control unit 540 performs the high-temperature maintaining control in the period specified by the specifying unit 530.

A portable sterilization and decontamination system is described. The system includes a fuel cell configured to generate electricity and at least one of water or water vapor and a heating system operatively coupled to the fuel cell, the heating system to convert the energy to heat and provide the heat to a determined volume. The system further includes a humidifying system operatively coupled to the fuel cell, the humidifying system to utilize at least one of the electricity or the at least one of water or water vapor to produce moisture and provide the moisture to the determined volume and a control system operatively coupled to the fuel cell, the heating system and the humidifying system, the control system to monitor and control the fuel cell, the heating system and the humidifying system.