Mtu Cfc Solutions Gmbh

Marc Bednarz

Michael Woski

Birgit Hilke

Marc Steinfort

A method for inerting and protecting the anodes of fuel cells, especially high-temperature fuel cells, and a fuel cell system, in which, during a shutdown, when the supply of fuel gas to the anodes is interrupted, during emergency shutdown or standby operation, water vapor is supplied to the anodes, and an external voltage is applied to the fuel cells to produce a reducing atmosphere at the anodes by electrolysis. This makes it possible to inert the anodes of the fuel cells without having to maintain a supply of a flushing or protective gas expressly for this purpose.

Method for inerting the anodes of fuel cells

Disclosed are an electrolyte matrix, particularly for a molten carbonate fuel cell, comprising a matrix material which contains one or several lithium compounds, aluminum oxide, and a carbide, and a method for the production thereof. The inventive matrix material contains a combination of lithium carbonate, aluminum oxide, and titanium carbide. Said matrix material can be produced in a simple manner from inexpensive materials that are available at the required degree of fineness, has a high degree of solidity in both the green state and the sintered state, and has good storage properties in the green state.

Electrolyte matrix, particularly for a molten carbonate fuel cell, and method for the production thereof

A fuel cell, in particular a molten carbonate fuel cell and a method for production thereof are disclosed. The anode () and the cathode () are each provided on current collectors (), which electrically contact with the relevant electrode () and form gas flow paths () for a fuel gas or a cathode gas, whereby the anode-side current collector () together with the anode () and the cathode-side current collector () together with the cathode () form an anode half cell () and a cathode half cell () respectively. According to the invention, the electrolyte matrix () or electrolyte layer is applied to one of the half cells () and sealing elements () are provided on the sides of the current collectors () laterally surrounding the above in a sealing manner, whereby an insulating layer () electrically insulates each sealing element () of a half cell () with respect to the other half cell ().

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Ottobrunn, Germany

Marc Bednarz