Alberta Research Council Incorporated

Alberta Innovates-technology Futures

Lorne Johanson

Hongsang Rho

Partho Sarkar

Luis Yamarte

Mark L Richardson

Partha Sarkar

Mark Lewis Richardson

A solid state electrochemical cell comprises a dense electrolyte layer; at least one reticulated electrode matrix (REM) of ion-conducting material partially sintered on the gas impermeable electrolyte layer, and electrode material located substantially within the REM. The REM has a majority of pores with an average pore size of less than micron. The REM can also have a porosity of 5 to 80%, thickness at or below 3.00 microns, and a mean grain size of 0.01 to 3.00 microns.

Solid state electrochemical cell having reticulated electrode matrix and method of manufacturing same

This invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells each comprising concentric inner and outer electrode layers sandwiching a concentric electrolyte layer. The fuel cells extend in the same direction and are arranged in a cluster with at least one fuel cell having an electrolyte layer with a different composition and different maximum operating temperature than another fuel cell in the cluster. The fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a higher maximum operating temperature is located closer to the core of the cluster than the fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a lower maximum operating temperature.

Compact solid oxide fuel cell stack

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal-supported tubular micro-solid oxide fuel cell, and a fuel cell made from such method. The method comprises the steps of coating a wooden substrate member with a conductive substrate layer, coating the substrate layer with an inner electrode layer, coating the inner electrode layer with an electrolyte layer, drying and sintering the coated substrate member such that the substrate member combusts, coating the electrolyte layer with an outer electrode layer, and then drying and sintering the layers. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a tubular solid oxide fuel cell assembly comprising: a) coating a tubular substantially metallic support layer with a ceramic or cermet inner electrode layer, b) coating the inner electrode layer with a ceramic electrolyte layer; c) coating the electrolyte layer with a ceramic or cermet outer electrode layer, then d) sintering the layers to produce a hollow tubular metal-supported fuel cell; the electrode and electrolyte layers having a collective wall thickness of 80 &#x3bc;m or less, the support layer having sufficient mechanical strength to support the electrode and electrolyte layers and sufficient porosity to flow a reactant therethrough.

Metal-supported tubular fuel cell

This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising an outer tubular solid oxide fuel cell, a solid phase porous matrix located inside the outer fuel cell and attached to its inner electrode layer, and at least one inner tubular solid oxide fuel cell embedded in the matrix. The outer fuel cell has an inner electrode layer configured to receive a first reactant fluid, an outer electrode layer configured to receive a second reactant fluid, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers. The inner fuel cell has an outer electrode layer configured to receive the first reactant fluid, an inner electrode layer configured to receive the second reactant fluid, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the inner and outer electrode layers. The matrix has sufficient mechanical strength to support the inner fuel cell and sufficient porosity to enable the first reactant fluid to flow through the matrix to the inner and outer fuel cell respectively.

Solid oxide fuel cell system

This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, external circuit electrical leads coupled to the fuel cell electrodes, and a thermal enclosure assembly enclosing the stack. The stack includes a plurality of inner tubular solid oxide fuel cells, the inside of the inner fuel cells being fluidly couplable to a first reactant source, and a porous support matrix embedding the inner fuel cells and being fluidly couplable to a second reactant source such that a second reactant is flowable through the matrix and to the outer surface of the embedded fuel cells. The stack may also include an outer tubular solid oxide fuel cell surrounding the matrix and the inner fuel cells such that the second reactant is flowable through the matrix and to an inside surface of the outer fuel cell and wherein the outer surface of the outer fuel cell is fluidly couplable to a first reactant source.

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal-supported tubular micro-solid oxide fuel cell, and a fuel cell made from such method. The method comprises the steps of coating a wooden substrate member with a conductive substrate layer, coating the substrate layer with an inner electrode layer, coating the inner electrode layer with an electrolyte layer, drying and sintering the coated substrate member such that the substrate member combusts, coating the electrolyte layer with an outer electrode layer, and then drying and sintering the layers.

Growing community of inventors

Edmonton, Canada

Lorne Johanson