Technology Management, Inc.

Christopher E Milliken

Robert C Ruhl

Michael A Petrik

Adam B Brakas

Thomas L Cable

Carrie Manon Hawk

An electrochemical system adapted to operate between a fuel cell mode, an electrolysis mode and a mode alternating between an electrolysis mode and a fuel cell mode, also referred to as an energy storage mode, operating on a fuel gas mixture and an oxygen-containing gas mixture, and having modified fuel diffusion layers and oxygen diffusion layers. The tapered fuel diffusion layers are progressively thicker from its outermost edge to its innermost edge. The tapered oxygen diffusion layer is progressively thicker from its innermost edge to its outermost edge.

Solid oxide fuel cell stack assembly having tapered diffusion layers

The present invention is directed generally to an electrochemical apparatus for oxidation or consumption of a fuel, and the generation of electricity, such as, a solid electrolyte fuel cell. The electrochemical apparatus () comprises at least one cell (), wherein the cell () has a solid electrolyte () disposed between a unitary oxygen electrode () and a unitary fuel electrode (), and at least one separator () contacting the surface of one of the electrodes () opposite of the electrolyte (). At least one electrode () of the cell () defines a micro-channel pattern (), wherein the micro-channel cross-section is preferably varied, such that reactant gas flowing through the micro channels achieves tailored local flow, pressure, and velocity distributions.

Electrochemical apparatus with reactant micro-channels

An electrochemical apparatus and method for cooling the same. The apparatus comprises a stack of at least two compact cells. The cells have a maximum thermal pathway of about 4 centimeters. The cell includes a solid electrode layer disposed between an oxygen electrode layer and a fuel electrode layer. A separator layer contacts the surface of opposing electrodes of adjacent cells. The cell defines internal passages, for providing reactant gases to the electrodes, and a rim portion of the cell is adapted to radiate heat generated within the cell to outside the cell. At least one layer of the cell is adapted to conduct the cell heat to the rim for transfer by radiative cooling. The method of cooling the above apparatus includes feeding oxygen-bearing gas to the oxygen electrode at a low flow rate, conducting the heat produced within the cell to the cell rim, and radiating the heat from the cell rim.

Apparatus and method for cooling high-temperature fuel cell stacks

An electrochemical apparatus including a steam reformer ( ) positioned on top of a vaporizer ( ) and communicating with a mixing orifice ( ), the steam reformer ( ) having a conductive output end plate ( ) defining a fuel orifice ( ); a compact cell stack ( ) defining at least one air passage ( ) and a fuel passage ( ), wherein the fuel passage communicates with the fuel orifice ( ); a stack end plate ( ), defining at least one air orifice ( ) communicating with the air passage ( ); an electrically insulated sealing ring ( ) extending upwardly from the stack end plate ( ) outside the air orifice ( ); an annular cap ( ) defining a hot air inlet ( ), extending inwardly beyond a sealing ring ( ); a can ( ) extending downwardly defining an exhaust passage ( ) and communicating with an exhaust vent ( ) within a base ( ); a porous thermal insulation ( ) defining a hot air plenum ( ), a pin hole sheet ( ) surrounding the can ( ) and spaced inwardly from the enclosure ( ) to define a cold air plenum ( ), wherein the cold air plenum ( ) receives coolant air from a coolant supply via a coolant inlet, and the pin hole sheet ( ) is provided with a pattern of perforations adapted to distribute the coolant uniformly around the circumference and along the height of the stack ( ).

Solid-oxide fuel cell hot assembly

A process for the fabrication of a component or component feature for an electrochemical apparatus including providing a printing medium comprising a rapid curable polymer containing carrier and a powder of a component material precursor, printing one of a uniform layer or a pattern of such printing medium on a substrate, and rapidly curing the curable polymer to form a cured part; and the parts made by this process. A process for the fabrication or a multi-layer cell of an SOFC including providing a printing medium comprising a radiation curable polymer containing carrier and a powder of a component material precursor, printing one of a uniform layer or a pattern of such printing medium on a substrate, and radiation curing the curable polymer to form a cured part; and the parts made by this process. The process can use an ultraviolet light curable polymer binder and electrode material powder in an industrial printer to form a solid fuel cell electrode component.

Technique for rapid cured electrochemical apparatus component fabrication

The present invention is directed generally to an electrochemical apparatus for oxidation or consumption of a fuel, and the generation of electricity, such as, a solid electrolyte fuel cell. The electrochemical apparatus ( ) comprises at least one cell ( ), wherein the cell ( ) has a solid electrolyte ( ) disposed between an oxygen electrode ( ) and a fuel electrode ( ), and at least one separator ( ) contacting the surface of one of the electrodes ( ) opposite of the electrolyte ( ). At least one electrode ( ) of the cell ( ) defines a micro-channel pattern ( ), wherein the micro-channel cross-section is preferably varied, such that reactant gas flowing through the micro channels achieves tailored local flow, pressure, and velocity distributions.

A process and apparatus for steam reforming of hydrocarbons, using a sulfur-tolerant catalyst comprising an active phase and a support phase, and optionally a promoter, which provides substantially complete conversion of the hydrocarbon to a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The process comprises introducing steam and a hydrocarbon feed containing at least about 2 ppm sulfur species into the apparatus, and reacting said steam and hydrocarbon feed in the catalyst bed.

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South Euclid, OH, United States of America

Christopher E Milliken