Abstract: A high-lithium carbonate electrolyte formed from a eutectic carbonate mixture including lithium carbonate and from an additional lithium-containing component adapted to form lithium carbonate during at least one of initial heat up and operation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An assembly having a dielectric frame which utilizes a plurality of segments, each segment having opposing first and second surfaces and first and second ends portions. Each of the first and second end portions has an end surface and a cutout extending from the end surface of the end portion along the length of the segment and from the first surface to the second surface. The segments of the frame are arranged in abutting relationship with the first surfaces of the segments aligned and the second surfaces of said segments aligned and with the end surface of a first end portion of a segment abutting the end surface of the second end portion of the adjacent segment. In this way, the cutouts of the first and second end portions of abutting segments form a keyway and a key is situated in the keyway so as to hold the abutting segments together. In accordance with the invention, certain of the segments are provided with recesses in the first surfaces of the segments adjacent the cutouts.

Abstract: A fuel supply assembly which receives a supply of liquid fuel feedstock including hydrocarbons having higher and lower hydrocarbon content and high molecular weight sulfur-containing compounds, the higher hydrocarbon content and high molecular weight sulfur containing compounds being less volatile that the lower hydrocarbon content. The fuel supply assembly supplies fuel to a fuel cell assembly and has a housing unit adapted to house the liquid fuel feedstock so that the liquid fuel feedstock is subjected to vaporization conditions to allow at least a portion of the liquid fuel feedstock to vaporize to form fuel feedstock vapor, the vaporization conditions being such that the concentration of lower hydrocarbon content is higher and the concentration of higher hydrocarbon content and high molecular weight sulfur containing compounds is lower in the fuel feedstock vapor than in the liquid fuel feedstock.

Abstract: A fuel reformer having an enclosure with first and second opposing surfaces, a sidewall connecting the first and second opposing surfaces and an inlet port and an outlet port in the sidewall. A plate assembly supporting a catalyst and baffles are also disposed in the enclosure. A main baffle extends into the enclosure from a point of the sidewall between the inlet and outlet ports. The main baffle cooperates with the enclosure and the plate assembly to establish a path for the flow of fuel gas through the reformer from the inlet port to the outlet port. At least a first directing baffle extends in the enclosure from one of the sidewall and the main baffle and cooperates with the plate assembly and the enclosure to alter the gas flow path. Desired graded catalyst loading pattern has been defined for optimized thermal management for the internal reforming high temperature fuel cells so as to achieve high cell performance.

Abstract: An integrated power production system including a fossil fuel power plant for processing fossil based fuel such as coal or natural gas arranged in tandem with a carbonate fuel cell having an anode and a cathode section. The flue gas of the power plant serves exclusively as the inlet gas for the cathode section of the fuel cell. Anode exhaust gas leaving the anode section of the fuel cell is subjected to processing including sequestration of the carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An end unit for a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell stacked in a first direction, the end unit for stacking in the first direction adjacent an end fuel cell in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An oxidizer assembly provided with a housing having a plurality of inlets each for receiving a different gas and a plurality of outlets each corresponding to a different one of the inlets and outputting gas resulting from the gas received from its corresponding inlet. A catalyst assembly able to support gas flow therethrough is disposed within the housing and includes a catalyst able to oxidize carbon monoxide gas and to be regenerated. The catalyst assembly is further adapted to be movable such that successive parts of the assembly are able to be brought repeatedly in communication with a first inlet and its corresponding first outlet and then a second inlet and its corresponding second outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with an oxidizer assembly of a fuel cell system in which the oxidizer assembly has an oxidizing unit for oxidizing anode exhaust gas containing electrolyte particulates and is adapted or conditioned so as to enable the electrolyte particulates to be removable from the assembly and to be removed from the assembly, and wherein the conditioning and removing occur with the oxidizing unit retained in the oxidizer assembly. The fuel cell system is also adapted so that such conditioning and removing occur with the oxidizing assembly retained in the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A modular multi-stack fuel-cell assembly in which the fuel-cell stacks are situated within a containment structure and in which a gas distributor is provided in the structure and distributes received fuel and oxidant gases to the stacks and receives exhausted fuel and oxidant gas from the stacks so as to realize a desired gas flow distribution and gas pressure differential through the stacks. The gas distributor is centrally and symmetrically arranged relative to the stacks so that it itself promotes realization of the desired gas flow distribution and pressure differential.

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 gasket for use in a fuel cell system having at least one externally manifolded fuel cell stack, for sealing the manifold edge and the stack face. In accordance with the present invention, the gasket accommodates differential movement between the stack and manifold by promoting slippage at interfaces between the gasket and the dielectric and between the gasket and the stack face.

Abstract: A fuel cell system with improved electrical isolation having a fuel cell stack with a positive potential end and a negative potential, a manifold for use in coupling gases to and from a face of the fuel cell stack, an electrical isolating assembly for electrically isolating the manifold from the stack, and a unit for adjusting an electrical potential of the manifold such as to impede the flow of electrolyte from the stack across the isolating assembly.

Abstract: A methanation assembly for use with a water supply and a gas supply containing gas to be methanated in which a reactor assembly has a plurality of methanation reactors each for methanating gas input to the assembly and a gas delivery and cooling assembly adapted to deliver gas from the gas supply to each of said methanation reactors and to combine water from the water supply with the output of each methanation reactor being conveyed to a next methanation reactor and carry the mixture to such next methanation reactor.

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 unit for a fuel cell stack is described that contains an integrated heat exchanger for superheating the fuel gas before delivery to the stack. Heat is transferred from the hot cathode outlet stream to the cool fuel inlet stream in a space adjacent the stack's end plate. The end unit is designed as a hollow box forming the shell of the exchanger with the heat exchanger inside. The end unit has openings that allow fuel cell process gas to be taken directly from the stack without requiring piping or ductwork to be attached to thin manifolds. Separate chambers are provided for both the cathode outlet and anode outlet gas, thereby allowing all process connections to be made at one end of the stack. The end unit also features a current collection post that is separated from the end cell of the stack by a multitude of members which provide structural support for the end unit and act to more uniformly collect electrical current than would a single, large current post.

Abstract: A fuel processing system and method for processing fuel for a fuel cell having a first adsorbent bed for adsorption of high molecular weight organic sulfur-containing compounds and inorganic sulfur-containing compounds, and a second adsorbent bed for adsorption of low molecular weight organic sulfur-containing compounds, where the adsorbent beds are arranged such that the fuel to be processed passes through one of the adsorbent beds and, thereafter through the other adsorbent bed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell with an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. The fuel cell system is also provided with a partial-pressure pressure swing adsorption assembly operating at low pressure which uses supply gas for the cathode compartment of the fuel cell to separate carbon dioxide from the anode exhaust gas exiting from the anode compartment of the fuel cell. The partial-pressure pressure swing adsorption assembly is adapted to carry out this separation based on the difference in partial pressures of the carbon dioxide in the anode exhaust gas and the oxidant gas in the supply gas. The fuel cell system utilizes a further unit to recycle the exhaust gas, after separation of the carbon dioxide, to the anode compartment and to feed the supply gas with the carbon dioxide to the cathode compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous fabrication of homogeneous thin flake or powder electrolyte material from inorganic salt, metallic or similar materials or from mixtures of such materials for use in Carbonate Fuel Cell (“CFC”) power plants. Electrolyte precursor powders are fed to a continuous blender type mixer using precision metering equipment that controls material feed rates. The homogenous mixture of blended powders is then fed into a high temperature melting tank in which the mixture is melted, forming the desired molten eutectic composition. The liquid eutectic melt drips from the melting tank through ceramic or metallic nozzles and splat-cools on a rotating, water-cooled metal cylinder to produce uniform size, thin flake material. The thin flake electrolyte material can be used as-is, or it may be further processed using continuous grinding and powder fabrication equipment.

Abstract: A fuel cell system in which a fuel cell assembly having one or more fuel cells is adapted to include one or more direct internal reforming passages and one or more indirect internal reforming passages for reforming a fuel supply. The system is further provided with a coupling assembly for selectively and adjustably controlling the coupling of first and second fuel supply portions to the respective one or more indirect internally reforming passages and the one or more direct internally reforming passages.

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.