Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A hydrogen and electrical power generating system that includes a hydrogen source to generate a mixture having hydrogen gas, and a ceramic fuel cell to generate power from a first portion of the mixture. The system also includes 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 the steps of providing a mixture comprising hydrogen gas, generating electric power from a first portion of the mixture with a protonic ceramic fuel cell, and generating purified hydrogen gas from a second portion of the mixture with a hydrogen separator.

Abstract: A proton conducting fuel cell that includes an electrolyte having a proton conducting ceramic electrolyte and a two-phase diffusion membrane electrode contacting the electrolyte, where the electrode is substantially non-porous and permeable to hydrogen. Also, a method of generating molecular hydrogen from a proton conducting fuel cell having a positive and negative electrode in contact with a proton conducting ceramic electrolyte, including selectively extracting pure hydrogen from a hydrogen gas mixture, and electrolyzing water vapor at a positive electrode of the fuel cell to form molecular oxygen (O2) and hydrogen ions, and reducing the hydrogen ions at a negative electrode of the fuel cell to form molecular hydrogen (H2).

Abstract: 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.