Abstract: An electrochemical converter is disposed within a pressure vessel that collects hot exhaust gases generated by the converter for delivery to a cogeneration bottoming device, such as a gas turbine. The bottoming device extracts energy from the waste heat generated by the converter, such as a fuel cell for the generation of electricity, yielding an improved efficiency energy system. Bottoming devices can include, for example, a gas turbine system or an heating, ventilation or cooling (HVAC) system. The pressure vessel can include a heat exchanger, such as a cooling jacket, for cooling the pressure vessel and/or preheating an input reactant to the electrochemical converter prior to introduction of the reactant to the converter. In one embodiment, a compressor of a gas turbine system assembly draws an input reactant through the pressure vessel heat exchanger and delivers the reactant under pressure to a fuel cell enclosed therein.

Abstract: A turbine power system that includes a compressor for compressing a first medium, and an electrochemical converter in communication with the compressor and adapted to receive the first medium and a second medium. The converter is configured to allow an electrochemical reaction between the first and second mediums, thereby generating electricity and producing exhaust having a selected elevated temperature. The power system further includes a turbine in fluid communication with the electrochemical converter and adapted to receive the converter exhaust, such that the turbine converts the electrochemical converter exhaust into rotary energy and electricity. The system can further include a steam generator and a steam turbine that produces electricity. The electrochemical converter is utilized herein as an electrochemical combustor-replacement (ECCR) or as a fuel cell for combustor-replacement (FCCR).

Abstract: An electrochemical converter is disposed within a pressure vessel that collects hot exhaust gases generated by the converter for delivery to a cogeneration bottoming device, such as a gas turbine. The bottoming device extracts energy from the waste heat generated by the converter, such as a fuel cell for the generation of electricity, yielding an improved efficiency energy system. Bottoming devices can include, for example, a gas turbine system or an heating, ventilation or cooling (HVAC) system. The pressure vessel can include a heat exchanger, such as a cooling jacket, for cooling the pressure vessel and/or preheating an input reactant to the electrochemical converter prior to introduction of the reactant to the converter. In one embodiment, a compressor of a gas turbine system assembly draws an input reactant through the pressure vessel heat exchanger and delivers the reactant under pressure to a fuel cell enclosed therein.

Abstract: A natural gas reformer comprising a stack of thermally conducting plates interspersed with catalyst plates and provided with internal or external manifolds for reactants. The catalyst plate is in intimate thermal contact with the conducting plates so that its temperature closely tracks the temperature of the thermally conducting plate, which can be designed to attain a near isothermal state in-plane to the plate. One or more catalysts may be used, distributed along the flow direction, in-plane to the thermally conducting plate, in a variety of optional embodiments. The reformer may be operated as a steam reformer or as a partial oxidation reformer. When operated as a steam reformer, thermal energy for the (endothermic) steam reforming reaction is provided externally by radiation and/or conduction to the thermally conducting plates. This produces carbon monoxide, hydrogen, steam and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A power supply system for enhancing the economic viability of different modes of transportation that incorporate fuel cells to generate electricity. For example, the power supply system of the present invention provides for the off-board use of the electric power generated by an on-board power plant, such as a fuel cell, of a mobile vehicle power system, such as an electric car. Off-board use, or use remote from the vehicle, of the electrical power includes the delivery of power to a remote site. Off-board stations are provided for delivery of fuel to the vehicle and/or for receiving the electrical power generated by the fuel cell. The off-board station and the vehicle are appropriately equipped for quick and easy interconnection such that electrical power is drawn from the fuel cell for off-board use.

Abstract: An electrochemical converter assembly having one or more converter elements having a peripheral edge. The converter element includes a series of electrolyte plates having an oxidizer electrode material on one side and a fuel electrode material on the opposing side, and a series of interconnector plates, alternately stacked with the electrolyte plates, that provide electrical contact with the electrolyte plates. The interconnector plate has a textured pattern that forms reactant-flow passageways. The converter assembly has a low pressure drop configuration that includes at least one passageway which is disposed generally in the central region of the converter element, for introducing one input reactant thereto, and at least one second passageway, for introducing the other reactant. A third passageway, outwardly spaced from the second passageway removes spent fuel from the reactant-flow passageways, and thus from the converter element.

Abstract: A sulfur-tolerant electrochemical converter having low internal resistance that is capable of directly processing hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur component of up to about 50 ppm, and in excess of this amount, without suffering permanent structural damage or suffering a significant and/or permanent decrease in overall operating performance. The electrochemical converter is a high temperature fuel cell that has an operating temperature between about 600.degree. C. and about 1200.degree. C. and is capable of internally vaporizing and/or reforming the hydrocarbon fuel. One or more of the converter constituents, such as the interconnector, the contact surfaces of the interconnector, the fuel electrode, and the oxidizer electrode, is composed of a selected mixture containing chromium oxide and an alkaline metal oxide.

Abstract: A turbine power system that includes a compressor for compressing a first medium, and an electrochemical converter in communication with the compressor and adapted to receive the first medium and a second medium. The converter is configured to allow an electrochemical reaction between the first and second mediums, thereby generating electricity and producing exhaust having a selected elevated temperature. The power system further includes a turbine in fluid communication with the electrochemical converter and adapted to receive the converter exhaust, such that the turbine converts the electrochemical converter exhaust into rotary energy and electricity. The system can further include a steam generator and a steam turbine that produces electricity. The electrochemical converter is utilized herein as an electrochemical combustor-replacement (ECCR) or as a fuel cell for combustor-replacement (FCCR).

Abstract: An electrochemical converter assembly that significantly reduces the size of the dedicated thermal processing heat exchangers associated with the converter. This reduction is achieved by heating the input reactants of the electrochemical converter assembly inside the axial manifolds. This heating configuration thus relies upon an effective heat transfer mechanism located within the manifolds, and particularly within the manifold surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the heating of the reactants occurs at the entrance region of the planar gap formed between the interconnector plates and the electrolyte plates. This heating is facilitated by the conduction of heat through the highly thermally conductive interconnector plate to an extended heating surface disposed within the manifold.

Abstract: A system and method for converting organic material to electricity includes the steps of collecting a quantity of organic material, generating biogas from the material, and passing the biogas through an energy converter. Biogas is generated from the organic material by an anaerobic filter, and electricity is converted from the biogas by an energy converter, such as a high efficiency solid oxide fuel cell. To further increase the efficiency of the system, an anaerobic digester is used for treating a solid or sludge component of the organic material to generate additional biogas. In one embodiment of the invention, solar energy is used to maintain the anaerobic digester at an elevated temperature. Further efficiency enhancing measures include the recirculation of both the sludge and liquid components of the organic material to obtain additional biogas.

Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical converter provides regenerative heating of electrochemical converter reactants to an operating temperature using an exhaust flow. Additionally, a radiant thermal integration configuration transfers heat from an electrochemical converter assembly to power a bottoming plant, thereby achieving flexible and efficient system design. In a fuel cell operating mode, for example, it facilitates the recovery of waste heat of the fuel cell reaction for integration with bottoming thermodynamic devices, such as a gas or steam turbine. The radiant thermal integration is accomplished by efficient radiative heat transfer between the external columnar surface of the converter assembly and the heat transfer assembly containing the working medium of a heat sink or a heat source device, and by a regenerative process where incoming reactants are heated to the converter operating temperature by outgoing exhaust.

Abstract: A heat exchanging apparatus including a working fluid and a structure for exchanging heat between the working fluid and an external environment. The structure includes at least one wall element having an external surface exposed to the external environment and an internal surface exposed to the working fluid such that heat can be exchanged between the environment and the working fluid by conductive heat transfer through the wall element. The apparatus further includes a reservoir element for providing a reservoir for the working fluid and a distribution element for distributing the working fluid along the wall element to provide isothermal heat exchange between the working fluid and the external environment. In one embodiment, the structure can be a double lumen tubular structure having an inner lumen which provides a reservoir for the working fluid, and an lumen where heat is exchanged between the working fluid and an external environment.

Abstract: A power supply system for powering an electric motor in an electric vehicle includes a rechargeable battery connected to the motor for driving the motor and a fuel cell assembly connected to the battery for recharging the battery. The system further includes structure for providing a supply of fuel to the fuel cell assembly which in turn converts the fuel to electricity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a high performance, electrochemical components. The plate is manufactured by forming a first electrode material on a substrate. Next, a thin electrolyte or interconnector coating is deposited on the electrode material. In the final step, a second electrode material is deposited on the electrolyte or interconnector, and the complete structure is removed from the substrate. The electrolyte/electrodes plates and interconnector plates formed by the method of this invention may be used in the manufacture of electrochemical converters.

Abstract: Thermal control in electrochemical energy conversion systems is achieved by the bulk integration of columnar electrochemical converter elements and heat transport elements. The heat transport elements are disposed between the columnar converter elements to form an inter-columnar array. Radiant heat transfer provides the heat exchange between the converter columns and the heat transport elements.

Abstract: A compact, electrochemical converter can be achieved using thin plates of electrolyte and interconnector. Impermeable, straight, thin plates of solid-oxide electrolyte are fabricated by high energy plasma spray methods under controlled temperature conditions. Thin sheets of nickel alloys or silicon carbide or platinum alloys can be used to form the interconnector. The electrolyte and interconnector plates can be assembled into a converter stack at an elevated temperature such that upon cooling and during subsequent operational temperature excursions, the electrolyte plates will remain in compression. The stacks can be connected together to form modules which can be used as stand-alone electricity generators or used in combined cycle, cogeneration and gasifier systems.

Abstract: An electrical generating plant of high efficiency utilizes a conventional steam plant powered by a fossil fuel such as coal, gas or oil, in internal integration with a high temperature solid-oxide fuel-cell. In one embodiment, the spent fuel and the wast heat from the fuel-cell of electrochemical action is made directly available to the combustion furnace of the steam plant for thermodynamic extraction. The system can achieve efficiencies up to 65% compared to ordinary steam plants which have an efficiency of about 35%.

Abstract: A compact, light-weight solid-oxide electrochemical converter can be achieved using thin plates of electrolyte and interconnector. Impermeable, straight, thin plates of solid-oxide electrolyte are fabricated by high energy plasma spray methods under controlled temperature conditions. Thin sheets of nickel or platinum alloys can be used to form the interconnector. A protective coating is preferred on the contact points to provide electrical continuity when nickel alloys are employed. Stamping or electrodeposition techniques can be used to form corrugated patterns for reactant distribution over the surfaces of each electrolyte plate.

Abstract: Solid oxide electrolyte structures, e.g., flat plates, suitable for use in an electrochemical energy converter are prepared by a plasma deposition technique. This process is comprised of forming a suspension of the oxide powders, passing the suspension through an arc discharge to melt the oxide particles and depositing the molten particles on a substrate. The deposited layer is allowed to cool and then is removed intact from the substrate. The plate then can be sintered and a fuel electrode material and an oxidizer electrode material can be applied on the opposing surfaces of the plate.

Abstract: A compact, electrochemical converter can be achieved using thin plates of electrolyte and interconnector. Impermeable, straight, thin plates of solid-oxide electrolyte are fabricated by high energy plasma spray methods under controlled temperature conditions. Thin sheets of nickel alloys or silicon carbide or platinum alloys can be used to form the interconnector. The electrolyte and interconnector plates can be assembled into a converter stack at an elevated temperature such that upon cooling and during subsequent operational temperature excursions, the electrolyte plates will remain in compression. The stacks can be connected together to form modules which can be used as stand-alone electricity generators or used in combined cycle, cogeneration and gasifier systems.