A method of operating a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cells connected together for collectively providing power to a load, each fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, the method comprising selectively providing an electrical connection between the anode and the cathode of at least one of the fuel cells of the assembly for lowering the voltage across the fuel cell independent of the load.

A method of operating a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cells connected together for collectively providing power to a load, each fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, the method comprising selectively providing an electrical connection between the anode and the cathode of at least one of the fuel cells of the assembly for lowering the voltage across the fuel cell independent of the load.

A thermally integrated hotbox apparatus combining a steam reformer, a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks, a plurality of oxidant manifolds, and at least one heat extractor. The steam reformer occupies a central position in the hotbox, around which are disposed in spaced-apart relation a plurality of SOFC stacks. A burner may be associated with the steam reformer, either within or outside the hotbox. An oxidant manifold is disposed between each pair of adjacent SOFC stacks. A heat exchanger is incorporated between an SOFC stack and an oxygen manifold. The hotbox design optimally captures thermal heat from the SOFC stacks for use in producing steam and operating the endothermic steam reformer. The apparatus reduces duty cycle of the burner, which produces heat and steam needed for operation of the endothermic steam reformer.

An end plate includes a plate body, fastening portions, and ribs. The plate body is rectangular and includes two long sides and two short sides. The plate body is arranged on an end of a cell stack of a fuel cell. The fastening portions are fastened to a case containing the cell stack. The fastening portions extend along edges of the plate body. The ribs are arranged in a grid-like manner on the plate body surrounded by the fastening portions. The ribs are arranged so that recesses defined between the ribs each have a quadrilateral shape in which two diagonals have different lengths. The ribs are arranged so that the recesses extend in a direction in which the ribs extend and so that a longer one of the two diagonals of each of the recesses extends parallel to the short sides of the plate body.

An end plate includes a plate body, fastening portions, and ribs. The plate body is rectangular and includes two long sides and two short sides. The plate body is arranged on an end of a cell stack of a fuel cell. The fastening portions are fastened to a case containing the cell stack. The fastening portions extend along edges of the plate body. The ribs are arranged in a grid-like manner on the plate body surrounded by the fastening portions. The ribs are arranged so that recesses defined between the ribs each have a quadrilateral shape in which two diagonals have different lengths. The ribs are arranged so that the recesses extend in a direction in which the ribs extend and so that a longer one of the two diagonals of each of the recesses extends parallel to the short sides of the plate body.

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack; a fuel gas supply pipe supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack; an injector injecting the fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply pipe into the fuel cell stack through a piping unit; and a buffer part located at an upstream side of the injector and being capable of circulating the fuel gas. The buffer part includes: a manifold; and a buffer tank connected to the manifold and circulating the fuel gas, and the manifold is disposed between the fuel gas supply pipe and the piping unit.

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack; a fuel gas supply pipe supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack; an injector injecting the fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply pipe into the fuel cell stack through a piping unit; and a buffer part located at an upstream side of the injector and being capable of circulating the fuel gas. The buffer part includes: a manifold; and a buffer tank connected to the manifold and circulating the fuel gas, and the manifold is disposed between the fuel gas supply pipe and the piping unit.

An apparatus can include a housing, a plurality of electrochemical devices disposed within the housing, and a heat exchanger disposed within the housing. The heat exchanger can be faced with an oxidant-containing gas outlet surface of at least one of the plurality of electrochemical devices. The electrochemical devices can include a stack of solid oxide fuel cells, a battery, or a solid oxide electrolyzer cell.

A manifold includes first and second manifold main bodies. The first manifold main body includes a gas supply chamber that is connected to a first gas channel and the second manifold main body includes a gas collection chamber that is connected to a second gas channel. The first manifold main body includes a top plate, a first bottom plate, and a first side plate. The top plate includes a first through hole for connecting the first gas channel and the gas supply chamber. The second manifold main body includes the top plate, a second bottom plate, and a second side plate. The top plate also includes a second through hole for connecting the second gas channel and the gas collection chamber. The first bottom plate and the second bottom plate are constituted by members that are separate from each other.

A manifold includes first and second manifold main bodies. The first manifold main body includes a gas supply chamber that is connected to a first gas channel and the second manifold main body includes a gas collection chamber that is connected to a second gas channel. The first manifold main body includes a top plate, a first bottom plate, and a first side plate. The top plate includes a first through hole for connecting the first gas channel and the gas supply chamber. The second manifold main body includes the top plate, a second bottom plate, and a second side plate. The top plate also includes a second through hole for connecting the second gas channel and the gas collection chamber. The first bottom plate and the second bottom plate are constituted by members that are separate from each other.