Abstract: A gas generator and process for converting a fuel into an oxygen-depleted gas and/or hydrogen-enriched gas. The gas generator is preferably used for generating protection gas or reducing gas for start up, shut down or emergency shut down of a SOFC or SOEC. The process for converting fuel into oxygen-depleted gas and/or a hydrogen-enriched gas includes combusting the fuel in a primary catalytic burner with an oxygen-containing gas to produce a flue gas with oxygen, combusting or partially oxidizing the flue gas comprising oxygen with excess fuel in a secondary catalytic burner to produce a gas with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and reducing the trace amounts of oxygen from the gas comprising traces of oxygen and obtaining an oxygen-depleted gas, or reducing the carbon monoxide present in the gas by conversion to carbon dioxide or methane to obtain a hydrogen-enriched gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a multilayer barrier structure in a solid oxide cell stack, comprising the steps of: —providing a metal interconnect; —applying a first metal oxide layer on said metal interconnect; —applying a second metal oxide layer on top of said first metal oxide layer; —applying a third metal oxide layer on top of said second metal oxide layer; —forming a solid oxide cell stack comprising said metal interconnect having said metal oxide layers thereon; and —reacting the metal oxide in said first metal oxide layer with the metal of said metal interconnect during the SOC-stack initialization, and a solid oxide stack comprising an anode contact layer and support structure, an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, a cathode layer, a cathode contact layer, a metallic interconnect, and a multilayer barrier structure which is obtainable by the above method and through an initialization step, which is carried out under controlled conditions for atmosphere composition and current

Abstract: A method for desulphurization of a liquid fossil fuel to be used in connection with a fuel cell is performed in a system comprising an evaporator unit (1), wherein the liquid fuel is first evaporated, a fixed bed reactor (2) in the form of a gas-phase hydro-desulphurizer, where the fuel is treated with hydrogen at atmospheric pressure over a highly active hydro-cracking (HAHT) catalyst, whereby sulphur species are converted to H2S, an adsorber (3), where the produced hydrogen sulphide can be adsorbed on a catalytic bed, and a fuel reformer (4), in which the fuel product is converted to syngas to be fed to an SOFC system (6). The evaporator unit (1) comprises a liquid spraying device, preferably in the form of a piezoelectric spray nozzle.

Abstract: The manufacture and calibration of an interconnect for a fuel cell ensures contact in all contact points between the interconnect and the adjacent electrodes.

Abstract: A method for producing an adjustable gas composition to be used as an anode gas for a fuel cell, such as a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), is performed in a system comprising (a) a fuel processing unit (1), wherein a hydrocarbon fuel raw material is converted to reformate gas, a combustion unit (2), wherein the reformate gas from the fuel processing unit (a) is partially or completely burned with an oxygen gas source, and (c) a post-processing unit (3), wherein the equilibrium composition of the reformate gas is catalytically changed by varying the temperature of the catalytic bed in the unit or by partially combusting the feed gas to the post-processing unit in the preceding combustion unit (2).

Abstract: A large, scalable SOFC system based on modules, which may be connected in series on the cathode gas side. The fuel cell stacks are aligned side by side and assembled into a stack module with cathode inlets on one face of the module and the cathode outlets on the other face of the module. The stack modules are serially connected in a simple manner by placing the stack modules one after the other, so that the outlet face of the first module faces the inlet face of the second module and so on. In the chamber between two stack modules, the air is cooled for example by addition of cold quench air or by a heat exchanger. This offers compactness, simple stack/system interface and improved system performance. The modules are designed for manufacturability, well-balanced heat management and high fuel utilization.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel or solid oxide electrolysis cell Stack assembly (203) has an improved, simple, cost reducing and robust compression System, housing and Single sided System interface with a flexible-interface-fixture (204) which is rigid enough to fix the at least one cell Stack in the housing when not in Operation, but flexible enough to allow for transfer of the compression force from the flexible compression mat (211) in the top closed end of the housing (201), through the at least one cell Stack and further towards the interface counterpart of the System when in Operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a thin process-gas-connection-endplate with a temperature expansion coefficient which is substantially the same as the temperature expansion coefficient of the plurality of fuel cells and interconnects forming the fuel cell stack, the length and width of the thin process-gas-connection-endplate is matching the length and width of the fuel cells and interconnects and the process-gas-connection-endplate is sealed to the stack of cells and interconnects so the process-gas-connection-endplate, cells and interconnects form one integrated unit, wherein process gas distribution tubes are fixed connected, e.g. welded or brazed to the process-gas-connection-endplate.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is anode reduced without the use of a reducing gas by applying a voltage to the cell when the temperature is elevated to a target temperature.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel cell is made of pressed metal sheet. The interconnect integrates inlets and outlets, flow distributing inlet and outlet-zones seal surfaces and flow paths on both sides of the interconnect all formed and defined by discrete point or oblong protrusions made by the deformation of the sheet. A protrusion on one side of the interconnect corresponds to an indentation on the other side, but since the interconnect consists of three levels, the first side of the interconnect can be designed substantially independently of the second side.

Abstract: A process for the conditioning of and applying a ceramic or other layer onto the surface of a sheet of stainless steel comprises the steps of (a) optionally annealing the steel plate or sheet in a protective gas atmosphere at an elevated temperature, (b) controlled etching of the surface of the sheet to produce a roughened surface and (c) depositing a protective and electrically conductive layer onto the roughened metallic surface. The process leads to coated metallic sheets with desirable properties, primarily to be used as interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells and solid oxide electrolysis cells.

Abstract: A method for producing and reactivating a solid oxide cell stack structure by providing a catalyst precursor in at least one of the electrode layers by impregnation and subsequent drying after the stack has been assembled and initiated. Due to a significantly improved performance and an unexpected voltage improvement this solid oxide cell stack structure is particularly suitable for use in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolysing cell (SOEC) applications.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack obtainable by a process comprising the use of a glass sealant with composition 50-70 wt % SiO2, 0-20 wt % Al2O3, 10-50 wt % CaO, 0-10 wt % MgO, 0-6 wt % (Na2O+K2O), 0-10 wt % B2O3, and 0-5 wt % of functional elements selected from TiO2, ZrO2, F, P2O5, MoO3, Fe2O3, MnO2, La. Sr—Mn—O perovskite (LSM) and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A cell stack with cells adapted to operate as either fuel cells or electrolysis cells comprises cells with a counter-flow of the anode gas relative to the cathode gas on a first part of each cell and a co-flow on a second part of each cell which evens out the temperature profile of the cell and cell stack relative to a co-flow or a counter-flow cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell or electrolysis cell stack has force distributors (102, 103) comprising at least a partially flexible layer (102) and protruding contact areas (103), whereby the stack compression force is evenly transferred to the stack (104) in spite of potential dimension tolerance differences.

Abstract: A unit for use in a fuel cell stack, the unit comprising a porous metal support with a seal made by local fusion and—having a seal depth that extends from the upper surface of the porous metal support to at least the bottom surface of the porous metal support, and wherein the seal is positioned along the periphery of the porous metal support, the seal being impermeable to gas transported in the plane of the porous metal support.

Abstract: Process for operating a high temperature fuel cell stack, the process comprising the following steps: b) connecting the fuel cell stack in parallel to a power supply unit at a predefined temperature and/or voltage of the fuel cell stack, h) applying a voltage from the power supply unit of between 700 to 1500 mV per fuel cell across the fuel cell stack irrespective of the electro-motive force of the fuel cell stack, i) heating up the fuel cell stack from the predefined temperature to operation temperature while maintaining the voltage per fuel cell the power supply unit, j) maintaining the fuel cell stack at or above a predetermined operation temperature and/or above a predetermined voltage until the fuel cell stack is to be put into operation, k) supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack, l) disconnecting the power supply unit followed by m) connecting a power-requiring load to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a electrically conductive steel-ceramic connection comprising a steel interconnector and an electrically conductive ceramic joining layer arranged thereon. The interconnector comprises a ferritic steel containing Cr in a quantity ranging from 18 to 24% by weight. The ceramic layer contains perovskite of a formula Ln1-xSrxMn1-yCoyO3-? or Ln1-xSrxFe1-yCoyO3-?, wherein 0.1?x?0.4, 0.1?y?0.6, 0???x/2 and Ln=La—Lu. The inventive steel-ceramic connection is usable for a high-temperature fuel cell and regularly exhibits good adhesive properties and a low transition resistance (initial transition resistance R approximately equal to 0.01 ?cm2). Said steel-ceramic connection makes it possible to advantageously introduce a ferritic steel into high-temperature fuel cells. The inventive method for producing said steel-ceramic connection consists in pre-treating an inserted ceramic powder exhibiting good sinterability during an assembly process and during the fuel cell operation.

Abstract: A solid oxide cell obtainable by a process comprising the steps of: depositing a fuel electrode layer on a fuel electrode support layer; depositing an electrolyte layer comprising stabilized zirconia on the fuel electrode layer to provide an assembly of fuel electrode support, fuel electrode and electrolyte; optionally sintering the assembly of fuel electrode support, fuel electrode and electrolyte together to provide a pre-sintered half cell; depositing on the electrolyte layer of the pre-sintered half cell one or more oxygen electrode layers, at least one of the oxygen electrode layers comprising a composite of lanthanum-strontium-manganite and stabilized zirconia to provide a complete solid oxide cell; sintering the oxygen electrode layers together with the pre-sintered half cell to provide a sintered complete solid oxide cell; and impregnating the one or more oxygen electrode layers of the sintered complete solid oxide cell with manganese to obtain a manganese impregnated solid oxide cell.

Abstract: Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) stack obtainable by a process comprising the use of a glass sealant with composition 50 to 70 wt % SiO2, 0 to 20 wt % Al2O3, 10 to 50 wt % CaO, 0 to 10 wt % MgO, 0 to 2 wt % (Na2o 1K2O), 0 to 10 wt % b2O3, and 0 to 5 wt % of functional elements selected from TiO2, ZrO2, ZrO2, F, P2O5, Mo03, FeO3, MnO 2, La—Sr—Mn—O perovskite (LSM) and combinations thereof. Preferably, the sealant is a sheet of E-glass fibres with a composition in wt % of 52-56 SiO2, 12-16AL2O3, 16-25 CaO, 0-6MgO, 0-2 Na2+K2O, 0-10 B2O3, 0-1.5 TiO2, O-1F.