Abstract: An internal reforming type fuel cell device and a fuel cell generating system utilizing the fuel cell device whose reforming catalysts' lives are long, and whose characteristics are good, and further whose shapes are compact are provided. In the fuel cell device 14 holding reforming catalysts 11 in fuel gas passages 5 positioned at low temperature operating parts or the fuel cell generating system comprising the fuel cell device 14, a preparatory reforming part is arranged in an upper stream fuel gas system feeding a fuel gas to said fuel gas passages 5. As for the fuel cell generating system, a reforming reactor 18 is used as the preparatory reforming part.

Abstract: In an internal reforming fuel cell apparatus and an operation method of the fuel cell apparatus, a reforming catalyst is disposed in a low-temperature operating portion of a fuel gas passage and temperature control is performed so that the temperature of the low-temperature operating portion will not exceed an activity deterioration limit temperature of the reforming catalyst. Accordingly, a service life of the reforming catalyst is prolonged and stable cell characteristics are obtained for a long period without deteriorating the cell characteristics.

Abstract: A protective material for a molten carbonate fuel cell, which comprises a ceramic comprising an oxide material capable of chemically reacting with an electrolyte used in the molten carbonate fuel cell for generating electric energy by consuming hydrogen formed from a raw fuel such as hydrocarbons, or with a substance formed from the electrolyte. The protective material protects a reforming catalyst or component materials of the fuel cell power generation system from the electrolyte or the substance formed from the electrolyte.