Abstract: A fuel cell gasket assembly for use in conjunction with a fuel cell stack by placing the gasket assembly between the periphery of a face of the stack and a manifold. The periphery of the stack face includes periphery portions that expand differently during operation of the stack. The gasket assembly comprises a member adapted to have different compressibilities over predetermined portions of the member and/or a resilient shim embedded in preselected sections the member whereby the gasket maintains contact with the periphery of the stack face and the manifold. The structure of the gasket assembly of the present invention provides a compliant fuel cell gasket assembly that accommodates bipolar plate growth and end cell growth in the fuel cell stack and maintains the gas seal between the stack and manifold structure.

Abstract: A loaded plate for use with or as part of a fuel cell of a fuel cell stack in which the loading material of the plate is in cord form. The loading material can be either an electrolyte or a catalyst and the cord form is realized by extruding the loading material on the plate.

Abstract: An assembly for storing electrolyte in a carbonate fuel cell is provided. The combination of a soft, compliant and resilient cathode current collector and an inactive anode part including a foam anode in each assembly mitigates electrical contact loss during operation of the fuel cell stack. In addition, an electrode reservoir in the positive end assembly and an electrode sink in the negative end assembly are provided, by which ribbed and flat cathode members inhibit electrolyte migration in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An end cell for storing electrolyte in a carbonate fuel cell. The combination of a soft, compliant and resilient cathode current collector and an inactive anode part including a foam anode in each end cell mitigates electrical contact loss during operation of the fuel cell stack. In addition, an electrode reservoir in the positive end cell and an electrode sink in the negative end cell are provided, by which ribbed and flat cathode members inhibit electrolyte migration in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A dielectric assembly for electrically insulating a manifold or other component from a liquid electrolyte fuel cell stack wherein the dielectric assembly includes a substantially impermeable dielectric member over which electrolyte is able to flow and a barrier adjacent the dielectric member and having a porosity of less than 50% and greater than 10% so that the barrier is able to measurably absorb and chemically react with the liquid electrolyte flowing on the dielectric member to form solid products which are stable in the liquid electrolyte. In this way, the barrier inhibits flow or creepage of electrolyte from the dielectric member to the manifold or component to be electrically insulated from the fuel cell stack by the dielectric assembly.

Abstract: A dielectric member for electrically insulating a manifold or other component from a liquid electrolyte fuel cell stack wherein the dielectric member is adapted to include a barrier which chemically reacts with the liquid electrolyte to form solid products which are stable in the liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new medical use of 5-(2-chloroethyl)-4-methylthiazole and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing it. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of clomethiazole for the prevention and/or treatment of spinal cord injury.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly in which fuel cells adapted to internally reform fuel and fuel reformers for reforming fuel are arranged in a fuel cell stack. The fuel inlet ports of the fuel cells and the fuel inlet ports and reformed fuel outlet ports of the fuel reformers are arranged on one face of the fuel cell stack. A manifold sealing encloses this face of the stack and a reformer fuel delivery system is arranged entirely within the region between the manifold and the one face of the stack. The fuel reformer has a foil wrapping and a cover member forming with the foil wrapping an enclosed structure.

Abstract: A bipolar separator formed from a plate having trough members formed on opposing first and second sides of a central area. Separately formed trough members are secured to opposing third and fourth sides of the central area. The trough members and trough areas are formed so as to reduce stress on the electrolyte matrices supported thereby.

Abstract: A bipolar separator which is formed from a plate having opposing first and second surfaces which are compatible with fuel gas and an oxidant gas, respectively. The plate is formed with a central area, first and second opposing troughs extending from first and second opposing sides of the central area, and third and fourth opposing troughs extending from third and fourth opposing sides of the central area. In the regions of its third and fourth sides, the central area is bent over and around so that the third and fourth troughs face and are adjacent to the central area. The first surface of the separator defines the extent of a first surface of the central area and the extents of the inner surfaces of the troughs of the separator. Similarly, the second surface of the separator defines the extents of a second opposing surface of central area and the extents of the outer surfaces of the troughs.

Abstract: A catalyst assembly for placement in the anode compartment of an internally reforming fuel cell. The anode compartment includes a current collector having peak regions with spacer regions therebetween. The catalyst assembly is in the form of a member including a catalyst material and having through openings in the member of distribution and configuration so that the member can be inserted over the current collector with the peak regions being received in the through openings and holding the member.

Abstract: A carbonate fuel cell matrix comprising support particles and crack attenuator particles which are made platelet in shape to increase the resistance of the matrix to through cracking. Also disclosed is a matrix having porous crack attenuator particles and a matrix whose crack attenuator particles have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is significantly different from that of the support particles, and a method of making platelet-shaped crack attenuator particles.

Abstract: A reforming unit assembly for reforming hydrocarbon fuel for the molten carbonate fuel cells of a fuel cell stack wherein the reforming unit comprises a housing and an integrating unit for integrating the housing with the adjacent fuel cells in the stacks.

Abstract: A gasket for a molten carbonate fuel cell formed of an elongated porous member able to support electrolyte flow and which includes barrier means for retarding such flow.

Abstract: A fuel cell system in which a methane producing gasifier supplies methane fuel to an internal reforming fuel cell and unspent hydrogen from the anode exhaust of the fuel cell is used by the gasifier in processing the feedstock being converted by the gasifier to the methane fuel.

Abstract: An internal reforming fuel cell system wherein the reforming reaction in the cell absorbs heat from the electrochemical reaction in the cell in an amount to substantially maintain the cell at a predetermined temperature and without the need for additional cooling considerations. The excess fuel process gas from the cell is utilized such that the net utilization of the process gas of the fuel cell and utilization device exceeds about 50%.

Abstract: Methanol production is realized by utilizing a fuel cell to control the gas composition of the synthesis gas stream being fed to the methanol synthesizer.

Abstract: Fuel cell apparatus with for rapid start-up is realized by including in the stack cooling/heating loop a burner which is situated downstream of the loop blower and by further situating the entry port for replenishing gas to the loop upstream of the blower.

Abstract: Purification of hydrogen is realized in an assembly comprising anode and cathode gas diffusion electrodes, an electrolyte situated between the electrodes, first and second gas passages adjacent the electrodes and means for applying a voltage across the electrodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell system employing a reformer for developing a fuel process gas from a hydrocarbon fuel-water mixture wherein the mixture is generated by exclusively delivering a water miscible hydrocarbon fuel to a mixing tank when the level of constituents in the mixing tank falls below a first predetermined level, ceasing delivery of the fuel and initiating exclusive delivery of water to the mixing tank when the level of constituents in the mixing tank rises to a second predetermined level, ceasing delivery of water when the constituents in the mixing tank rise to a third predetermined level, with the level in the mixing tank at the third predetermined level, delivering the hydrocarbon fuel-water mixture to a holding tank when the hydrocarbon fuel-water mixture in the holding tank falls below a first predetermined position, and ceasing delivery of the mixture to the holding tank when the level of constituents in the mixing tank falls below said first predetermined level.