Technology Management, Inc.

The Standard Oil Company

Kennecott Corporation

The Carborundum Company

Kennecott Copper Corporation

Chase Brass and Copper Company, LLC

Robert C Ruhl

Christopher E Milliken

Michael A Petrik

Irving B Ruppel, Jr

Ralph A Felice

Roderick A McFarlane

Michael R Kenyon

Stephen Hardman

James L Eucker

Thomas L Cable

Adam B Brakas

James E Johnson

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

A reversible electrochemical system adapted to operate between a fuel cell mode, an electrolysis mode, and an electrolysis and fuel cell alternating mode(energy storage mode), operating on a fuel gas mixture and an oxygen-containing gas mixture. In the fuel cell mode, a current of electrons is delivered to an oxygen electrode where their charge is transferred to a plurality of oxygen ions which are passed through an electrolyte to a fuel electrode where the charge is transferred back to the electrode. In the electrolysis mode, a current of electrons is sent to a fuel electrode where the charge is transferred to a plurality of oxygen ions formed by the decomposition of steam. The oxygen ions pass through an electrolyte to an oxygen electrode where the charge is transferred back to the electrons.

Multipurpose reversible electrochemical system

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

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.

Method for steam reforming hydrocarbons using a sulfur-tolerant catalyst

A compact endothermic reaction apparatus employing metallic reaction tubes in a close-pack arrangement using offset nozzle tubes and an air distribution plate for introducing fuel and air into a combustion chamber to produce long and thin flames thereby to avoid excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes and provide high reaction tube life expectancy. Also, excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes at the inlet ends of exhaust tubes is eliminated and provision is made for preventing buckling of individual reaction tubes that may be subjected to higher than average reaction tube temperatures.

Endothermic reaction apparatus and method

An endothermic reaction furnace includes one or more elongated reaction tubes defining therein an endothermic reaction flow path and a combustion flow path for providing heat to drive the endothermic reaction. The combustion flow path is arranged so that fuel and combustion air are separately heated by the heat inside the furnace preferably to significantly above their autoignition temperature before being combined in a combustion zone where they mix, autoignite and burn. The fuel is introduced into the combustion zone by a plurality of tubes having outlet ends arranged to produce annular shrouds of flame around each reaction tube that are directed countercurrent to the endothermic reaction product.

Endothermic reaction apparatus

An endothermic reaction furnace includes one or more elongated tubes defining therein an endothermic reaction flow path and a combustion flow path for providing heat to drive the endothermic reaction. The combustion flow path is arranged so that fuel and combustion air are separately heated by the heat inside the furnace to significantly above their autoignition temperature before being combined in a combustion zone where they mix, autoignite and burn.

Endothermic reaction process

Ceramic tubes are manufactured from a mixture that includes ceramic powder. The mixture is extruded through a die to form a tube. The tube is passed through an open-ended dryer, calciner, transition zone, sintering furnace, and cooler. Thereafter, the tube is cut to the desired length (which may be very long). The quality of the tube is enhanced by applying a vacuum to the mixture prior to extrusion. For tubes made of non-oxide ceramics, an inert atmosphere is maintained both inside and outside the tube in all sections of the equipment that operate above 200.degree. C. A controlled tension is applied to the tube by means of first pinch rolls disposed downstream of the dryer and second pinch rolls disposed downstream of the cooler.

Process for manufacturing ceramic tubes

Apparatus for making ceramic tubes from a mixture that includes ceramic powder. The mixture is extruded through a die to form a tube. The tube is passed through an open-ended dryer, calciner, transition zone, sintering furnace, and cooler. Thereafter, the tube is cut to the desired length (which may be very long). The quality of the tube is enhanced by applying a vacuum to the mixture prior to extrusion. For tubes made of non-oxide ceramics, an inert atmosphere is maintained both inside and outside the tube in all sections of the equipment that operate above 200.degree. C. A controlled tension is applied to the tube by means of first pinch rolls disposed downstream of the dryer and second pinch rolls disposed downstream of the cooler.

Apparatus for making ceramic tubes

An improved fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of series-connected fuel cells each including an electrically conductive separator, a compressed or sintered oxide powder cathode contacting the separator, a solid electrolyte contacting the cathode and a compressed or sintered powder anode contacting the electrolyte. Each of the separator, anode, electrolyte and cathode includes two internal holes each at least partially in registration with each other so that a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas may be admitted to separate tubes in the cell. Preferably, a gasket is disposed in the opening in the cathode receiving the fuel to shield the cathode from the fuel. A second gasket is disposed in the opening in the anode receiving the oxygen-containing gas to shield the anode from oxygen. Oxygen admitted to one of the tubes reaches the anode by first diffusing through the cathode and then being ionically conducted through the electrolyte to the anode. Oxygen at the anode reacts with the fuel, releasing heat. A peripheral barrier may partially protect the anode from oxygen. In an alternative embodiment, each of the elements of the cell includes only one hole, all of which may be aligned to form a single tube for admitting fuel. In that embodiment, oxygen diffuses from outside the cell, through pores in the cathode. In other embodiments, a single central fuel tube may have a plurality of oxygen supply tubes.

Solid electrolyte fuel cell and assembly

An electrohydraulic drive for process line equipment, especially a spooler that winds and pays out an indefinite length of metallic strand, varies the output torque of a hydraulic motor by controlling its displacement and the pressure differential between its inlet and outlet. A valve controlled by a proportional actuator reduces the supply pressure of the hydraulic fluid in a feed line for the motor. A sequence valve located in a return line from the motor maintains the pressure at the motor outlet at a preselected and adjustable value. During braking, fluid from the return line is directed to a regeneration circuit that includes a flow divider returning one portion of the flow to the feed line and another portion to a supply reservoir. A servo-amplifier circuit includes an integrating amplifier that compares the actual rotation speed of the motor to a speed command signal. An analog multiplier produces a control signal for the proportional actuator. In the preferred form a tensiometer monitors strand tension and produces an input signal to a computer that modifies the pressure limit signals. The computer also controls the speed command and displacement of the motor. A hydraulic cylinder controls the linear traversing movement of the spooler under the control of a high speed servo valve that in turn is controlled by electronic circuitry. Position, velocity and rotation speed transducers for the spooler and a position transducer for the strand provide input signals to the circuitry.

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Cleveland Heights, OH, United States of America

Robert C Ruhl