Abstract: A carbon dioxide membrane structure, a method of making the same, and a carbon dioxide separator including the same. The membrane structure may include a carbon dioxide separation membrane containing PVA and a carrier, and a polysulfone-based support having an average pore size ranging from about 40 to about 90 ?m.

Abstract: A chromium-iron interconnect includes at least one of Fe rich regions in the interconnect and carbon in the interconnect.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system and method including a hotbox containing a fuel cell stack, a fuel supply configured to provide a fuel to the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply thermally integrated with the hotbox. The hydrogen supply is configured to produce hydrogen during or shortly after the SOFC system is shutdown using residual heat of the hot box, and to provide the hydrogen to the SOFC stack such that an anode reducing environment is maintained in the stack.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte and an anode electrode containing a first portion having a cermet containing a nonzero volume percent of a nickel containing phase and a nonzero volume percent of a ceramic phase and a second portion having a cermet containing a nonzero volume percent of a nickel containing phase and a nonzero volume percent of a ceramic phase, such that the first portion is located between the electrolyte and the second portion. The SOFC is an electrolyte-supported SOFC and the first portion of the anode electrode contains a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second portion of the anode electrode. The first portion of the anode electrode has a porosity of 5-30 volume percent and the second portion of the anode electrode has a porosity of 31-60 volume percent.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack include placing a compressed metal powder interconnect on a porous support, and sintering the interconnect in the presence of a non-oxidizing gas. The method may further include placing the sintered interconnect on a porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of flowing air, or placing the sintered interconnect on a dense, non-porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of a gas comprising pure oxygen or an oxygen/inert gas mixture that is substantially nitrogen-free.

Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separator that separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separator may include a carbon dioxide separation membrane, an oxygen blocking membrane, and a water blocking membrane.

Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separation device which separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separation device may be a carbon dioxide trap, an electrochemical carbon dioxide separator, or a membrane separator. A water separator may be used in conjunction with the carbon dioxide separation device or used separately to continuously remove water from the recycled stream.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack include placing a compressed metal powder interconnect on a porous support, and sintering the interconnect in the presence of a non-oxidizing gas. The method may further include placing the sintered interconnect on a porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of flowing air, or placing the sintered interconnect on a dense, non-porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of a gas comprising pure oxygen or an oxygen/inert gas mixture that is substantially nitrogen-free.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack include placing a compressed metal powder interconnect on a porous support, and sintering the interconnect in the presence of a non-oxidizing gas. The method may further include placing the sintered interconnect on a porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of flowing air, or placing the sintered interconnect on a dense, non-porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of a gas comprising pure oxygen or an oxygen/inert gas mixture that is substantially nitrogen-free.

Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separation device which separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separation device may be a carbon dioxide trap, an electrochemical carbon dioxide separator, or a membrane separator. A water separator may be used in conjunction with the carbon dioxide separation device or used separately to continuously remove water from the recycled stream.

Abstract: A chromium-iron interconnect includes at least one of Fe rich regions in the interconnect and carbon in the interconnect.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack include providing a powder in a die cavity of a powder press apparatus, where the powder includes at least one of a pre-alloyed powder and a pre-sintered powder, compressing the powder in the die cavity of the powder press apparatus using high velocity compaction to form a pressed powder interconnect, and incorporating the pressed powder interconnect into a fuel cell stack, wherein the pressed powder interconnect is incorporated into the fuel cell stack without first sintering the pressed powder interconnect.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first plurality of ribs extending from a first major surface of the interconnect and defining a first plurality of gas flow channels between the ribs, the ribs extending between a first rib end and a second rib end and having a tapered profile in a vertical dimension, perpendicular to the first major surface of the interconnect, proximate at least one of the first rib end and the second rib end, wherein the ribs comprise a flat upper surface and rounded edges between the flat upper surface and the adjacent gas flow channels, the rounded edges having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the gas flow channels comprise a rounded surface having a second radius of curvature, different from the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A redox cell rebalance system is provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance system includes electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, the photochemical cell contains a source of ultraviolet radiation for producing HCl from H2 and Cl2 generated by the system. The HCl product may be collected or circulated back through the system for the rebalancing of electrolytes. A rebalance cell for use in a rebalance system is also provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance cell is the combination of an electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, a source of ultraviolet radiation is housed in the cathode compartment of the rebalance cell. In some embodiments, the source of ultraviolet radiation is used to effect the formation of HCl from H2 and Cl2 present in the rebalance cell. The HCl is dissolved in aqueous electrolytes contained in the rebalance cell, which can subsequently be circulated through a rebalance system for the rebalancing of redox cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load.

Abstract: A method of producing HCl from H2 and Cl2 is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one photochemical chamber placed in fluid communication with at least one source of H2 and at least one source of Cl2. In some embodiments, the photochemical chamber effects the formation of HCl through the use of at least one source of ultraviolet radiation contained therein. In some embodiments, the HCl product may be captured and used as a gas. In some embodiments, the HCl product may be absorbed into water to form an aqueous HCl solution.

Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separation device which separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separation device may be a carbon dioxide trap, an electrochemical carbon dioxide separator, or a membrane separator. A water separator may be used in conjunction with the carbon dioxide separation device or used separately to continuously remove water from the recycled stream.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load.