Patent classifications
H01M8/0282
SEALED POROUS STRUCTURES FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THEREOF
Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising anode-conductor seals and/or cathode-conductor seals used for sealing porous metal structures and controlling the distribution of fuel and oxidants within these porous structures. For example, a SOFC comprises an anode conductor, cathode conductor, and electrolyte, disposed between the anode and cathode conductors. The anode conductor comprises multiple porous portions (permeable to the fuel) and a non-porous portion. The SOFC also comprises an anode-conductor seal, forming a stack with the non-porous portion. This sealing stack extends between the electrolyte and current collector and separates two porous portions thereby preventing the fuel and oxidant migration between these portions. In some examples, the sealing stack forms an enclosed boundary around one porous portion of the anode conductor. In the same or other examples, another sealing stack is formed in the cathode conductor, e.g., surrounding a fuel port extending through the cathode conductor.
SEALED POROUS STRUCTURES FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THEREOF
Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising anode-conductor seals and/or cathode-conductor seals used for sealing porous metal structures and controlling the distribution of fuel and oxidants within these porous structures. For example, a SOFC comprises an anode conductor, cathode conductor, and electrolyte, disposed between the anode and cathode conductors. The anode conductor comprises multiple porous portions (permeable to the fuel) and a non-porous portion. The SOFC also comprises an anode-conductor seal, forming a stack with the non-porous portion. This sealing stack extends between the electrolyte and current collector and separates two porous portions thereby preventing the fuel and oxidant migration between these portions. In some examples, the sealing stack forms an enclosed boundary around one porous portion of the anode conductor. In the same or other examples, another sealing stack is formed in the cathode conductor, e.g., surrounding a fuel port extending through the cathode conductor.
SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS OF THE PEM TYPE
A sealing arrangement is provided for an electrochemical cell. The sealing arrangement includes a metallic plate (7) and a seal (18, 19) which is arranged thereon and which forms at least one closed sealing ring, which is arranged on the plate (7). A peripheral inner support structure (20, 22) supports the seal (18, 19) to the inside and an outer support structure (21, 23) supports the seal (18, 19) to the outside. The support structures are formed of sintered metal and are materially connected to the plate (7).
SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS OF THE PEM TYPE
A sealing arrangement is provided for an electrochemical cell. The sealing arrangement includes a metallic plate (7) and a seal (18, 19) which is arranged thereon and which forms at least one closed sealing ring, which is arranged on the plate (7). A peripheral inner support structure (20, 22) supports the seal (18, 19) to the inside and an outer support structure (21, 23) supports the seal (18, 19) to the outside. The support structures are formed of sintered metal and are materially connected to the plate (7).
CROSS-FLOW INTERCONNECT AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME
A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.
FUEL CELL UNIT AND FUEL CELL STACK
A metal-supported, SOEC or SOFC fuel cell unit (10) comprising a separator plate (12) and metal support plate (14) with chemistry layers (50) overlie one another to form a repeat unit, at least one plate having flanged perimeter features (18) formed by pressing the plate, the plates being directly adjoined at the flanged perimeter features to form a fluid volume (20) between them and each having at least one fluid port (22), wherein the ports are aligned and communicate with the fluid volume, and at least one of the plates has pressed shaped port features (24) formed around its port extending towards the other plate and including elements spaced from one another to define fluid pathways to enable passage of fluid from the port to the fluid volume. Raised members (120) may receive a gasket (34), act as a hard stop or act as a seal bearing surface.
Fuel cell
The fuel cell of the present disclosure includes: a fuel single cell comprising a fuel electrode, an air electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes; a separator for separating a fuel gas flowing through the fuel electrode and air flowing through the air electrode; and a sealing portion for hermetically bonding between the separator and the electrolyte, wherein the sealing portion is constituted of a glass composition containing at least two of metallic or metalloid elements contained in the electrolyte and at least two of metallic or metalloid elements contained in the separator; the electrolyte includes a proton conductor; and the proton conductor is represented by a compositional formula: BaZr.sub.1-xM.sub.xO.sub.3, where 0.05≤x≤0.5; and M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sc, In, Lu, Yb, Tm, Er, Y, Ho, Dy, and/or Gd.
Fuel cell
The fuel cell of the present disclosure includes: a fuel single cell comprising a fuel electrode, an air electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes; a separator for separating a fuel gas flowing through the fuel electrode and air flowing through the air electrode; and a sealing portion for hermetically bonding between the separator and the electrolyte, wherein the sealing portion is constituted of a glass composition containing at least two of metallic or metalloid elements contained in the electrolyte and at least two of metallic or metalloid elements contained in the separator; the electrolyte includes a proton conductor; and the proton conductor is represented by a compositional formula: BaZr.sub.1-xM.sub.xO.sub.3, where 0.05≤x≤0.5; and M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sc, In, Lu, Yb, Tm, Er, Y, Ho, Dy, and/or Gd.
Stack of intermediate temperature, metal-supported, solid oxide fuel cell units
A stack (1) of intermediate temperature, metal-supported, solid oxide fuel cell units (10), each unit comprising a metal support substrate (12), a spacer (22) and an interconnect (30) that each have compression bolt holes (34), fuel inlet port (33), fuel outlet port (32) and air outlet (17) therein, wherein bolt voids (34) are formed by aligning the bolt holes and a further void (17) by aligning the air outlets, and the voids are vented, for example, to the environment or further void to prevent the build-up of fuel, moisture or ions.
SINGLE FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL MODULE, POWER GENERATION SYSTEM, HIGH-TEMPERATURE STEAM ELECTROLYSIS CELL AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
A single fuel cell according to the present disclosure includes a power generation section, a power non-generation section which does not include the power generation section, and an oxygen-ion-insulating gas seal film arranged so as to cover the surface of the power non-generation section, and the gas seal film is configured by a structure formed by firing a material containing MTiO.sub.3 (M: alkaline earth metal element) and metal oxide. The structure may include a first structure and a second structure which are different in composition, the first structure may include components derived from MTiO.sub.3 in larger amounts than the second structure, the second structure may include a metal element contained in the metal oxide in a larger amount than the first structure, and the area ratio of the second structure in the structure may be not less than 1% and not more than 50%.