Power generation systems and methods using solid oxide fuel cell(s) (SOFC) are provided. For example, a power generation system can include a catalytic partial oxidation (CPOx) reactor, an array of one or more fuel cell stacks, and a self-diagnostic system. The CPOx reactor is operable to generate a hydrogen rich gas from a hydrocarbon fuel. The array of one or more fuel cell stacks includes at least one SOFC and is coupled to the CPOx reactor. The fuel cell stacks are operable to generate electrical power and heat from an electrochemical reaction of the hydrogen rich gas and oxygen from an oxygen source. This power generation system can be composed of off-the-shelf parts and components, making this unit inexpensive to manufacture, operate and to maintain as well as easier to operate.

Provided is an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell including ferritic stainless steel dispersed with nano-CeO.sub.2 and Nb.sub.2O.sub.5. The interconnect for the solid oxide fuel cell of the present disclosure includes nano-CeO.sub.2 and Nb.sub.2O.sub.5 having specific particle sizes in specific contents, thereby suppressing the formation of the insulating layer SiO.sub.2 and exhibiting an excellent improvement effect of high-temperature characteristics such as oxidation resistance and sheet resistance.

Provided is an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell including ferritic stainless steel dispersed with nano-CeO.sub.2 and Nb.sub.2O.sub.5. The interconnect for the solid oxide fuel cell of the present disclosure includes nano-CeO.sub.2 and Nb.sub.2O.sub.5 having specific particle sizes in specific contents, thereby suppressing the formation of the insulating layer SiO.sub.2 and exhibiting an excellent improvement effect of high-temperature characteristics such as oxidation resistance and sheet resistance.

A fuel cell column includes first and second fuel cell stacks, a fuel manifold disposed between the first and second fuel cell stacks and configured to provide fuel to the first and second fuel cell stacks, and first and second dielectric separators located between the fuel manifold and the respective first and second fuel cell stacks, and configured to electrically isolate the respective first and second fuel cell stacks from the fuel manifold. The first and second dielectric separators each include a top layer of a ceramic material, a bottom layer of the ceramic material, a middle layer disposed between the top and bottom layers and including a material having a lower density and a higher dielectric strength than the ceramic material, and glass or glass ceramic seals which connect the middle layer to the top and bottom layers.

A cell including: a pair of interconnectors for electrically connecting unit cells; a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between the interconnectors; a pair of current collectors, each of which includes an abutting surface abutting against a corresponding one of the electrode layers and a first base material surface being in contact with a corresponding one of the interconnectors and electrically connecting the corresponding of the electrode layers and the corresponding one of the interconnectors; and elastic bodies biasing the abutting surface of at least one current collector toward a corresponding one of the electrode layers. The elastic bodies includes: a second base material surface being in contact with the first base material surface; and an elastic body protruding portion supporting the abutting surface and protruding from the second base material surface toward the corresponding one of the electrode layers to bias the abutting surface toward the corresponding one of the electrode layers.

An electrochemical element including a plate-like support provided with an internal passage therein. The plate-like support includes a gas-permeable portion through which gas is permeable between the internal passage and the outside of the plate-like support and an electrochemical reaction portion that is formed by stacking at least a film-like electrode layer, a film-like electrolyte layer, and a film-like counter electrode layer in the stated order in a predetermined stacking direction on an outer face of the plate-like support so as to entirely or partially cover the gas-permeable portion. A first gas, that is one of reducing component gas and oxidative component gas, flows through the internal passage, and the internal passage is provided with a turbulence forming body that forms a turbulence state of the first gas.

An electrochemical element including a plate-like support provided with an internal passage therein. The plate-like support includes a gas-permeable portion through which gas is permeable between the internal passage and the outside of the plate-like support and an electrochemical reaction portion that is formed by stacking at least a film-like electrode layer, a film-like electrolyte layer, and a film-like counter electrode layer in the stated order in a predetermined stacking direction on an outer face of the plate-like support so as to entirely or partially cover the gas-permeable portion. A first gas, that is one of reducing component gas and oxidative component gas, flows through the internal passage, and the internal passage is provided with a turbulence forming body that forms a turbulence state of the first gas.

An electrochemical module including: a stack obtained by stacking, in a predetermined stacking direction, a plurality of electrochemical elements having a configuration in which an electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode layer are formed along a substrate, via an annular sealing portion through which first gas that is one of reducing component gas and oxidative component gas flows; a container that includes an upper cover for pressing a first flat face in the stacking direction of the stack and a lower cover for pressing a second flat face on a side opposite to the first flat face, the stack being sandwiched between the upper cover and the lower cover; and a pressing mechanism that presses a portion to which the annular sealing portion is attached against the container in the stacking direction.

In the electrochemical element, a plate-like support includes an internal passage through which a first gas flows, a gas-permeable portion, and an electrochemical reaction portion in which a film-like electrode layer, a film-like electrolyte layer, and a film-like counter electrode layer are stacked so as to entirely or partially cover the gas-permeable portion. The internal passage includes a plurality of auxiliary passages through which the first gas flows in a predetermined flowing direction, and a distribution portion provided on the upstream side of the plurality of auxiliary passages in the flowing direction of the first gas. The plate-like support includes a supply structure that is located between the distribution portion and the auxiliary passages in the flowing direction. The first gas is temporarily stored in the distribution portion and supply of the first gas from the distribution portion to the plurality of auxiliary passages is limited.

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.