Abstract: The fuel cell comprising a solid electrolyte layer (12) forms together with two electrode layers (11, 13) a plate-like multiple layer system (1). The layers are applied by means of coating procedures to an open pored, electrically conducting carrier structure (10) in the sequence anode (11), electrolyte (12) and cathode (13). This multiple layer system (1) has an outer edge which is exposed during a current generating operation of the fuel cell to an external environment (60) which contains molecular oxygen. The material of the carrier structure assumes an oxidized or a reduced state in thermodynamical equilibrium at the operating temperature of the fuel cell depending on the environment. The outer edge (16) of the multiple layer plate is covered over with an inert material. At the operating temperature of the fuel cell this edge covering (126) forms a barrier which inhibits or prevents the transport of molecular oxygen out of the external environment (60) into the carrier structure.

Abstract: The method for the operation of fuel cell battery (10) comprises a control system (14), through which the electrochemical reactions in cells (11) of the battery are influenced. Gaseous flows (1, 2) of two educts (A, B) are fed into the battery in a controlled manner in a conditionally predetermined ratio of quantities and are passed through the cells separately. The first educt (A) contains oxidizing components, the second educt (B) contains reducing components and the first educt is in particular ambient air. The educt flows (1, 2) are united after passage through the cells and are further treated by means of an afterburning process and with the production of a flow (3) of exhaust gas (C), so that at the conditionally predetermined ratio of quantities the reducing components are completely oxidized. The first educt flow, in particular the air flow, is variable through the control system to a limited extent; it is used for a regulation of the reaction temperature.

Abstract: The interconnector (1) for high temperature fuel cells is arranged between a first and a second planar electrochemically active element (2, 2′). In this it separates a chamber (41) containing a combustion gas from a chamber (51, 53) containing oxygen. A porous sinter body (10) of the interconnector has pores (101) which are at least partly sealed by a medium (11′). Through the sealing, a passage of gases between the named chambers (41, 51) is prevented.

Abstract: The plant (1) contains high temperature fuel cells (20) which are arranged with planar design in a centrally symmetrical stack (2). A supply point (5) is provided for a gaseous or liquid fuel (50). In a reformer (4) following the supply point the fuel can be catalytically converted at least partially into CO and H2 in the presence of H2O and with process heat being supplied. An afterburner chamber (6) follows the output points of the fuel cells (20). A feedback connection (61) exists between the supply point and the afterburner chamber via which the exhaust gas (60′, 70′) can be fed back to the supply point. In case no gas is provided as a fuel, the supply point comprises a means for feeding in a liquid fuel, such as using an atomizer.

Abstract: The (1) contains high temperature fuel cells (20) which are arranged with planar design in a centrally symmetrical stack (2). A supply point (5) is provided for a gaseous or liquid fuel (50). In a reformer (4) following the supply point the fuel can be catalytically converted at least partially into CO and H2 in the presence of H2O and with process heat being supplied. Along the stack axis a central cavity (25) is arranged via which the fuel which is treated in the reformer can be fed into the fuel cells. The reformer is arranged in the central cavity and is formed in such a manner that the heat required for the endothermic reforming processes can be transferred at least partially via radiation from the fuel cells to the reformer.

Abstract: The fuel cell battery (1) for liquid fuels has the following components: a cell stack (2) which is arranged along an axis (2a) and within a periphery (2b); a distributor passage (21) on the stack axis (2a) via which a reformed fuel gas can be fed in into cells (20) of the stack (2); afterburner chambers (22) at the stack periphery (2b); furthermore an auxiliary burner (3) for a start-up operation. A reaction device (3) is in connection with the cell stack and is provided for the treatment of the liquid fuel by reforming with partial oxidation to form a fuel gas which contains CO and H2. A heat exchanger system (4) is integrated into the reaction device, by means of which, in a current delivering operation of the battery (1)—using hot exhaust gas from the afterburning chambers—the liquid fuel can be vaporized and a gaseous oxygen carrier can be heated up.

Abstract: The fuel cell module contains an integrated additional heater for a start-up operation and comprises the following components. Planar fuel cells are connected in series and form a cylindrical stack at the lateral surface of which air infeed points of the cells are located. A jacket is arranged about the cell stack and is formed as a dynamic heat insulation in a manner radially permeable to air. Furthermore, a space between the cell stack and the jacket is provided for an afterburning of gas leaving the cell and for conducting off exhaust gases. Heat sources of the additional heater are arranged at the inner surface of the jacket. During the start-up operation, the heat given off by the additional heater is at least partially introduced into the fuel cells by a radial air flow.

Abstract: The electrochemically active element (1) for a high temperature fuel cell is designed in the form of layers and comprises an anode layer (3), a cathode layer (4) and an electrolyte layer (2) which is arranged therebetween. The electrolyte is a ceramic material of zirconium oxide ZrO2 stabilised with yttrium Y which can additionally contain aluminium oxide Al2O3. The anode is manufactured from a power mixture through sintering on the electrolyte layer. This anode mixture contains the oxides NiO and CeO2 and can contain an oxide of the type A2O3, with for example A=Sm, Y, Gd and/or Pr. In accordance with the invention 0.5−5 mol/o CoO, FeO and/or MnO is or are to be added to the anode mixture in order to lower the sintering temperature of this mixture.

Abstract: The Perowskite is provided for the coating of interconnectors (1) which are used in high temperature fuel cells. Its composition can be described by the formula ABO3−&egr; with A=(E1−w Lnw−&dgr;) and B=(G1−z Jz). In this the following hold: E is an alkaline earth metal, preferably Sr or Ca, Ln is a lanthanide, preferably La or Y, G is a transition metal, preferably Mn, J is a second transition metal, preferably Co, w is a number which is greater than 0.1 and less than 0.5, preferably equal to 0.2, &dgr; is a positive or negative number, the absolute value of which is less than about 0.02, z is a number which is greater than 0.01 and less than 0.5, preferably equal to 0.2 and &egr; is a positive or negative number, the absolute value of which is less than about 0.5.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a cell block with fuel cells, a heat insulating jacket, an afterburner chamber between the jacket and the cell block, a prereformer for a combustion gas as well as an auxiliary heat source. The method comprises a start-up phase and a current-delivering operating state. Hot combustion gases which are fed into the apparatus or are produced there in an auxiliary burner form the auxiliary heat source during the start-up phase. The apparatus comprises a first and a second heat exchanger, for the preheating of air and for preheating the prereformer respectively. During the start-up phase air which is fed into the apparatus is preheated in the first heat exchanger by means of a mixture formed of hot combustion gas and exhaust air with the mixture being conducted separately from the air. Heat is supplied to the fuel cells with the preheated air. The exhaust air emerging from the cells is admixed to the hot combustion gas.

Abstract: The battery with planar high temperature fuel cells comprises a stack-shaped, alternating arrangement of electrochemically active elements and interconnectors. The interconnectors are formed as air heat exchangers, each of which has a basic body. The thermal expansion of the interconnector is largely determined by the basic body. Each basic body separates an air side from a gas side. A structured layer is arranged on both sides of the basic body in each case: namely a structured layer for electrical conduction and heat transport as well as for a transport of air or combustion gas respectively along the electrochemically active elements. The thermal expansion of the basic body corresponds substantially to that of the electrochemically active elements. Each basic body is formed as an air heat exchanger and consists of a material on whose surface a permanent oxide layer forms under the operating conditions of the battery and in the presence of oxygen.