A fuel cell system has a cell (1) that is capable of generating electric power. The cell (1) has a fuel electrode (1a), an air electrode (1b) and an electrolyte (1c). The fuel electrode (1a) is supplied with hydrogen obtained by reforming fuel gas. The air electrode (1b) is supplied with oxygen in the air. The electrolyte (1c) is interposed between the fuel electrode (1a) and the air electrode (1b) to enable oxygen ions to pass through to the fuel electrode (1a). A water vapor retaining mechanism (6) is disposed in a flow path of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode (1a). The mechanism (6) retains water vapor generated in the fuel electrode (1a) during electric power generation by the cell (1). The mechanism (6) enables the water vapor to be mixed with the fuel gas.

A formed substrate assembly includes an air flow form plate, a fuel flow form plate, and an anode. The fuel flow form plate is positioned over the air flow form plate. The fuel flow form plate partially defines a plurality of first channels. The fuel flow form plate also defines a plurality of second channels. The plurality of second channels defines a plurality of apertures, where a portion of the apertures extend from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels. The anode is positioned over the fuel flow form plate. The anode partially defines the plurality of first channels such that the fuel flow form plate and the anode define the plurality of first channels. The portion of the plurality of apertures is configured to channel a flow of fuel from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels.

A formed substrate assembly includes an air flow form plate, a fuel flow form plate, and an anode. The fuel flow form plate is positioned over the air flow form plate. The fuel flow form plate partially defines a plurality of first channels. The fuel flow form plate also defines a plurality of second channels. The plurality of second channels defines a plurality of apertures, where a portion of the apertures extend from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels. The anode is positioned over the fuel flow form plate. The anode partially defines the plurality of first channels such that the fuel flow form plate and the anode define the plurality of first channels. The portion of the plurality of apertures is configured to channel a flow of fuel from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels.

A method of integrating a fuel cell with a steam methane reformer is provided. The system includes at least one fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, and a steam methane reformer including a syngas stream, and a flue gas stream. The method includes introducing at least a portion of the flue gas stream to the cathode, thereby producing a CO2 depleted flue gas stream and introducing a hydrocarbon containing stream to the anode, thereby producing an electrical energy output and a carbon dioxide and hydrogen containing stream from the fuel cell.

A method of integrating a fuel cell with a steam methane reformer is provided. The system includes at least one fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, and a steam methane reformer including a syngas stream, and a flue gas stream. The method includes introducing at least a portion of the flue gas stream to the cathode, thereby producing a CO2 depleted flue gas stream and introducing a hydrocarbon containing stream to the anode, thereby producing an electrical energy output and a carbon dioxide and hydrogen containing stream from the fuel cell.

The invention relates to solid oxide fuel cell anodes, in particular anodes which containing porous particles coated with catalytic nickel. The use of porous particles as a carrier for the nickel catalyst helps to overcome some of the redox stability issues experienced by some systems and improves the internal reforming properties of the system and permits less nickel to be used in SOFC systems.

The invention relates to solid oxide fuel cell anodes, in particular anodes which containing porous particles coated with catalytic nickel. The use of porous particles as a carrier for the nickel catalyst helps to overcome some of the redox stability issues experienced by some systems and improves the internal reforming properties of the system and permits less nickel to be used in SOFC systems.

A power production system includes a fuel cell separation system configured to receive a flue gas and to produce electrical power therefrom; a flue gas polishing system positioned upstream of the fuel cell separation system and configured to remove contaminants in the flue gas; a flue gas analyzer configured to measure in real-time an amount of the contaminants in the flue gas; and a plant control system operatively coupled to the flue gas polishing system, the flue gas analyzer, and the fuel cell separation system and configured to adjust operational parameters of the flue gas polishing system.

A power production system includes a fuel cell separation system configured to receive a flue gas and to produce electrical power therefrom; a flue gas polishing system positioned upstream of the fuel cell separation system and configured to remove contaminants in the flue gas; a flue gas analyzer configured to measure in real-time an amount of the contaminants in the flue gas; and a plant control system operatively coupled to the flue gas polishing system, the flue gas analyzer, and the fuel cell separation system and configured to adjust operational parameters of the flue gas polishing system.

A reforming element for a molten carbonate fuel cell stack and corresponding methods are provided that can reduce or minimize temperature differences within the fuel cell stack when operating the fuel cell stack with enhanced CO.sub.2 utilization. The reforming element can include at least one surface with a reforming catalyst deposited on the surface. A difference between the minimum and maximum reforming catalyst density and/or activity on a first portion of the at least one surface can be 20% to 75%, with the highest catalyst densities and/or activities being in proximity to the side of the fuel cell stack corresponding to at least one of the anode inlet and the cathode inlet.