An individual solid oxide cell (SOC) constructed of a sandwich configuration including in the following order: an oxygen electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, a fuel electrode, a fuel manifold, and at least one layer of mesh. In one embodiment, the mesh supports a reforming catalyst resulting in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a reformer embedded therein. The reformer-modified SOFC functions internally to steam reform or partially oxidize a gaseous hydrocarbon, e.g. methane, to a gaseous reformate of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is converted in the SOC to water, carbon dioxide, or a mixture thereof, and an electrical current. In another embodiment, an electrical insulator is disposed between the fuel manifold and the mesh resulting in a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), which functions to electrolyze water and/or carbon dioxide.

An individual solid oxide cell (SOC) constructed of a sandwich configuration including in the following order: an oxygen electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, a fuel electrode, a fuel manifold, and at least one layer of mesh. In one embodiment, the mesh supports a reforming catalyst resulting in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a reformer embedded therein. The reformer-modified SOFC functions internally to steam reform or partially oxidize a gaseous hydrocarbon, e.g. methane, to a gaseous reformate of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is converted in the SOC to water, carbon dioxide, or a mixture thereof, and an electrical current. In another embodiment, an electrical insulator is disposed between the fuel manifold and the mesh resulting in a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), which functions to electrolyze water and/or carbon dioxide.

An electrochemical module (EM) transfers a fluid across a membrane thereof using oxygen as a carrier gas. The EM has an anion exchange membrane (AEM) disposed between a first and second electrodes, each of which includes a catalyst. At an inlet side, the catalyst facilitates reaction of the fluid with carrier gas, such that an anion is formed. The anion is transported across the AEM in the presence of an electric field applied to the electrodes. At an outlet side, the catalyst facilitates dissociation of the anion back to the fluid and carrier gas. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and the transporting by the EM is part of a heating/cooling cycle or a power generation cycle, or is used to capture carbon dioxide for storage or regeneration of stale air. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises water vapor, and the transporting by the EM dehumidifies air.

An electrochemical module (EM) transfers a fluid across a membrane thereof using oxygen as a carrier gas. The EM has an anion exchange membrane (AEM) disposed between a first and second electrodes, each of which includes a catalyst. At an inlet side, the catalyst facilitates reaction of the fluid with carrier gas, such that an anion is formed. The anion is transported across the AEM in the presence of an electric field applied to the electrodes. At an outlet side, the catalyst facilitates dissociation of the anion back to the fluid and carrier gas. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and the transporting by the EM is part of a heating/cooling cycle or a power generation cycle, or is used to capture carbon dioxide for storage or regeneration of stale air. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises water vapor, and the transporting by the EM dehumidifies air.

A stack of rectangular, planar electrochemical cell units (200), each cell unit (200) comprising at least one first fluid mid-port (230, 235) that is disposed midway along its length within or between one or more active cell chemistry regions (210) and is in fluid communication with a first fluid volume of the cell unit (200). The first fluid mid-ports (230, 235) of the respective cell units (200) align to form at least one first fluid mid-passageway extending in the stack direction. The stack is configured such that, in each first fluid volume, first fluid flow paths (405, 410) extend across the one or more active cell chemistry regions (210) between the at least one first fluid mid-port (230, 235) and each respective opposed cell end.

A stack of rectangular, planar electrochemical cell units (200), each cell unit (200) comprising at least one first fluid mid-port (230, 235) that is disposed midway along its length within or between one or more active cell chemistry regions (210) and is in fluid communication with a first fluid volume of the cell unit (200). The first fluid mid-ports (230, 235) of the respective cell units (200) align to form at least one first fluid mid-passageway extending in the stack direction. The stack is configured such that, in each first fluid volume, first fluid flow paths (405, 410) extend across the one or more active cell chemistry regions (210) between the at least one first fluid mid-port (230, 235) and each respective opposed cell end.

A fuel cell stack includes stacked solid oxide fuel cells, interconnects disposed between the fuel cells, and dielectric layers disposed on the interconnects and including a first glass-containing component and a corrosion barrier material. Optionally, the dielectric layers may cover only a portion of the interconnect riser seal surfaces which are covered by riser seals. Additionally or alternatively, the fuel cell stack may include an electrolyte reinforcement layer on the electrolyte of the solid oxide fuel cells.

A fuel cell stack includes stacked solid oxide fuel cells, interconnects disposed between the fuel cells, and dielectric layers disposed on the interconnects and including a first glass-containing component and a corrosion barrier material. Optionally, the dielectric layers may cover only a portion of the interconnect riser seal surfaces which are covered by riser seals. Additionally or alternatively, the fuel cell stack may include an electrolyte reinforcement layer on the electrolyte of the solid oxide fuel cells.

A fuel cell module includes a stack including a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, at least one dummy cell in contact with the stack at an end portion of the stack in a stacking direction, a reactant gas supply path configured to supply a reactant gas that is either a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cells and the dummy cell, and a reactant gas discharge path in communication with the fuel cells and the dummy cell. The fuel cells and the dummy cell each include a reactant gas flow path configured to cause the reactant gas from the reactant gas supply path to flow toward the reactant gas discharge path. Pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the dummy cell is smaller than pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the fuel cells.

A fuel cell single cell includes a pair of separators each having manifold holes, a frame disposed between the separators, a power generating unit disposed in an opening of the frame, and a plurality of gas flow channels configured to connect the power generating unit with the manifold holes. Each of the gas flow channels has a distal channel portion defined by a frame groove provided in the frame and configured to communicate with the manifold holes, and a proximal channel portion defined by a separator groove provided in the corresponding separator and configured to communicate with the power generating unit. Each of the gas flow channels is configured to be independent of adjacent other gas flow channels, at least over a range from a distal end of the distal channel portion, which communicates with the manifold holes, to a point in the proximal channel portion.