Ceramatec, Inc.

Coorstek, Inc.

Protonetics International, Inc.

Other

Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines

W Grover Coors

Chett Boxley

John Joseph Watkins

Ruthie Swartzlander

Sophie Menzer

John Howard Gordon

Ryan Patrick O'Hayre

Mathew Robins

Alexis Eccleston

Jianhua Tong

Meng Shang

Roderick W Sidwell

The present invention relates to a protonic ceramic fuel cell and a method of making the same. More specifically, the method relates to a cost-effective route which utilizes a single moderate-temperature (less than or equal to about 1400&#xb0; C.) sintering step to achieve the sandwich structure of a PCFC single cell (dense electrolyte, porous anode, and porous cathode bone). The PCFC layers are stably connected together by the intergrowth of proton conducting ceramic phases. The resulted PCFC single cell exhibits excellent performance (about 450 mW/cmat about 500&#xb0; C.) and stability (greater than about 50 days) at intermediate temperatures (less than or equal to about 600&#xb0; C.). The present invention also relates to a two step method for forming a PCFC, and the resulting PCFC.

Cost-effective solid state reactive sintering method for protonic ceramic fuel cells

Reactor/separator elements for performing the generation and/or separation of hydrogen gas with improved efficiency have a central core and a separation layer that, in combination, define at least one spiral gas flow channel extending from one end of the central core to the opposite end of the central core. In use, the reactor/separator element may be placed in a housing which constrains gas on the outside of the reactor/separator element into the spiral channel defined by the outside of the separation layer.

Reactor-separator elements

The present invention provides a method for providing electrical potential from a solid-state sodium-based secondary cell (or rechargeable battery). A secondary cell is provided that includes a solid sodium metal negative electrode that is disposed in a non-aqueous negative electrolyte solution that includes an ionic liquid. Additionally, the cell comprises a positive electrode that is disposed in a positive electrolyte solution. In order to separate the negative electrode and the negative electrolyte solution from the positive electrolyte solution, the cell includes a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane. The cell is maintained and operated at a temperature below the melting point of the negative electrode and is connected to an external circuit.

Method for providing electrical potential from a sodium-based secondary cell

The present invention provides a molten sodium secondary cell. In some cases, the secondary cell includes a sodium metal negative electrode, a positive electrode compartment that includes a positive electrode disposed in a liquid positive electrode solution, and a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane that separates the negative electrode from the positive electrode solution. In such cases, the electrolyte membrane can comprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, a NaSICON membrane. Furthermore, in such cases, the liquid positive electrode solution can comprise any suitable positive electrode solution, including, but not limited to, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Generally, when the cell functions, the sodium negative electrode is molten and in contact with the electrolyte membrane. Additionally, the cell is functional at an operating temperature between about 100&#xb0; C. and about 170&#xb0; C. Indeed, in some instances, the molten sodium secondary cell is functional between about 110&#xb0; C. and about 130&#xb0; C.

Low temperature molten sodium secondary cell with sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane

The present invention provides a solid-state sodium-based secondary cell (or rechargeable battery). While the secondary cell can include any suitable component, in some cases, the secondary cell comprises a solid sodium metal negative electrode that is disposed in a non-aqueous negative electrolyte solution that includes an ionic liquid. Additionally, the cell comprises a positive electrode that is disposed in a positive electrolyte solution. In order to separate the negative electrode and the negative electrolyte solution from the positive electrolyte solution, the cell includes a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane. Because the cell's negative electrode is in a solid state as the cell functions, the cell may operate at room temperature. Additionally, where the negative electrolyte solution contains the ionic liquid, the ionic liquid may impede dendrite formation on the surface of the negative electrode as the cell is recharged and sodium ions are reduced onto the negative electrode.

Solid-state sodium-based secondary cell having a sodium ion conductive ceramic separator

An electrochemical cell in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first electrode containing a first phase intermixed with a second phase and a network of interconnected pores. The first phase contains a ceramic material and the second phase contains an electrically conductive material providing an electrically contiguous path through the first electrode. The electrochemical cell further includes a second electrode containing an alkali metal. A substantially non-porous alkali-metal-ion-selective ceramic membrane, such as a dense Nasicon, Lisicon, Li &#x3b2;&#x2033;-alumina, or Na &#x3b2;&#x2033;-alumina membrane, is interposed between the first and second electrodes.

Electrochemical cell comprising ionically conductive membrane and porous multiphase electrode

A method of making a solid electrolyte-YSZ product, where the method includes the step of providing a powdered mixture of zirconia, yttria and about 2%, by wt., or less of a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the mixture. The method also includes sintering the powdered mixture at about 1500&#xb0; C. or less, for about 5 hours or less, to form a reaction sintered YSZ. Also, a method of making a fuel cell electrolyte that includes the step of forming a green body that includes zirconia, yttria and about 2%, by wt., or less of a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the green body. The method also includes shaping the green body into a form of the electrolyte, and sintering the green body at about 1500&#xb0; C. or less to form a reaction sintered yttria-stabilized zirconia and metal oxide electrolyte.

Preparation of yttria-stabilized zirconia reaction sintered products

A method of making a solid electrolyte-YSZ product, where the method includes the step of providing a powdered mixture of zirconia, yttria and a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the mixture. The method also includes sintering the powdered mixture at about 1500&#xb0; C. or less, for about 5 hours or less, to form a two-phase composite that includes cubic YSZ and the metal oxide. Also, a method of making a fuel cell electrode that includes the step of forming a green body that includes zirconia, yttria and a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the green body. The method also includes shaping the green body into a form of the electrode, and sintering the green body at about 1500&#xb0; C. or less to form a two-phased sintered body that includes cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia and the metal oxide. The method may further include reducing the sintered body to form the electrode.

A process for converting a carbon containing fuel and water vapor into a reformate gas that includes hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, using water molecules that diffuse through a membrane by steam permeation reforming. The process includes providing a ceramic membrane comprising an oxide ceramic having intrinsic and extrinsic oxygen ion vacancies, and having first and second surfaces; where the oxide ceramic capable of reacting with gaseous water molecules at the first surface by the reversible reaction, HO(g)+V+O2OH; and the oxide ceramic capable of producing gaseous water molecules at the second surface by the reversible reaction, 2OHHO(g)+V+O; contacting water vapor with the first surface; contacting the reformate gas with the second surface, whereby solid state ambipolar diffusion of oxygen ion vacancies and protons across the membrane occurs; and the ambipolar diffusion produces a net diffusion flux of water molecules through the membrane from the first surface to the second surface.

Stream reforming of solid carbon in protonic ceramic fuel cells

A hydrogen and electrical power generating system that includes a hydrogen source to generate a mixture having hydrogen gas, a ceramic fuel cell to generate power from a first portion of the mixture and a hydrogen separator to generate purified hydrogen gas from a second portion of the mixture using a protonic ceramic membrane. Additionally, a hydrogen and electrical power generating system that includes a hydrogen source to generate a mixture having hydrogen gas, and a reversible fuel cell capable of generating electrical power and purified hydrogen gas from the mixture, where the reversible fuel cell has a protonic ceramic electrolyte. Also, a method of generating hydrogen and electrical power that includes generating electric power from a first portion of a hydrogen gas mixture with a protonic ceramic fuel cell, and generating purified hydrogen gas from a second portion of the mixture with a hydrogen separator.

Systems and methods to generate hydrogen and electrical power in a reversible compound fuel cell

A process for converting hydrocarbons and water vapor into hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; a fuel cell device; and a process of utilizing the fuel cell to convert chemical energy to electrical energy is described. The fuel cell comprises a metallic and/or mixed conducting anode, a metallic and/or mixed conducting cathode, a proton-conducting ceramic electrolyte between the anode and the cathode, and an external load connecting the anode and the cathode. The fuel cell also includes systems for bringing gaseous hydrocarbon fuels into contact with the anode and for bringing oxygen and water vapor into contact with the cathode. Water vapor in the fuel cell passes through the ceramic electrolyte membrane from the cathode side to the anode side by ambipolar diffusion, called 'steam permeation' without conducting current, under the influence of a water vapor concentration gradient.

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Golden, CO, United States of America

W Grover Coors