Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system (10) comprises a solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) and a gas turbine engine (14), a compressor (24) of the gas turbine engine (14) is arranged to supply oxidant to the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) and a fuel supply (32) is arranged to supply fuel to the anodes (20) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12). A portion of the unused oxidant from the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) is supplied back to the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12). A portion of the unused fuel from the anodes (20) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) is supplied to a combustor (52). A portion of the unused oxidant from the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) is supplied to the combustor (52) and the combustor (52) is arranged to supply exhaust gases to a first inlet (68) of a heat exchanger (66).

Abstract: A fuel processor (10) comprises a supply of natural gas (12) and a compressor (14), which compresses the natural gas and supplies the natural gas to a partial oxidation reactor (16). A supply of oxygen (20) supplies the oxygen to the partial oxidation reactor (16). The partial oxidation reactor (16) partially reacts the natural gas and the oxygen to form a mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The partial oxidation reactor (16) supplies the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a turbine (20). The turbine (20) is arranged to drive the compressor (14). The turbine (20) expands and cools the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and supplies the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a fuel cell stack (22) requiring hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A reformer module (10) comprises a hollow support member (12) having at least one passage (14) extending longitudinally therethrough. The hollow support member (14) has an external surface (20), a barrier layer (22) arranged on at least a portion of the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), a catalyst layer (24) arranged on the barrier layer (22) and a sealing layer (26) arranged on the catalyst layer (24) and the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12) other than the at least a portion of the external surface of the hollow support member (12). By providing the barrier layer (22) and the catalyst layer (24) on the exterior surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), the distribution of the barrier layer (22) and/or the catalyst layer (24) may be more precisely controlled and thus a non-uniform distribution of barrier layer (22) and/or catalyst layer (24) may be achieved.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (10) comprises an anode electrode (12), a cathode electrode (14) and an electrolyte (16) between the anode electrode (12) and the cathode electrode (14). A gaseous fuel is supplied to an anode chamber (18) partially defined by the anode electrode (12) and a gaseous oxidant is supplied to a cathode chamber (20) partially defined by the cathode electrode (14). The electrolyte (16) comprises a first dense non-porous layer (22), a second porous layer (24) on the first dense non-porous layer (22) and a third dense non-porous layer (26) on the second porous layer (24). The anode electrode (12) is arranged on the first dense non-porous layer (22) and the cathode electrode (14) is arranged on the third dense non-porous layer (26). The second porous layer (24) acts as a buffer between the first dense non-porous layer (22) and the third dense non-porous layer (26) to prevent defects propagating between the layers (22,26) and to prevent fuel and oxidant leaking through the electrolyte (16).

Abstract: A fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of modules (12) and each module (12) comprises an elongate hollow member (14). Each module (12) has at least one passage (31) extending longitudinally through the hollow member (14) for the flow of a reactant. Each hollow member (14) has a first flat surface (16) and a second flat surface (18) arranged parallel to the first flat surface (16). At least one of the modules (12) includes a plurality of fuel cells (20). The fuel cells (20) are arranged on at least one of the first and second flat surfaces (16,18) of the at least one module (12). A first end (30) and a first side (32) of each module (12) has a first integral feature (34) to provide a spacer and a connection with an adjacent module (12) and a second end (38) and a second side (40) of each module (12) has a second integral feature (42) to provide a spacer and a connection with another adjacent module (12).

Abstract: A pre-reformer (10) comprises a non-electrically conducting gas tight duct (12) and an electrically conducting wire (14) arranged in the duct (12). The electrically conducting wire (14) is electrically isolated from the duct (12). The duct (12) has an inlet (16) for receiving a hydrocarbon fuel at a first end (18) and an outlet (20) for supplying a pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel at a second end (22). At least the inner surface (24) of the duct (12) is chemically inert with respect to the hydrocarbon fuel. An electrical power supply (26) is electrically connected to the electrically conducting wire (14) and a control means (28) controls the supply of electrical current through the electrically conducting wire (14) to maintain the electrically conducting wire (14) at a temperature to provide selective thermal decomposition of higher hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon fuel. The performer reduces coking in associated fuel cells and other parts of a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module (30) comprises a plurality of fuel cells (36). Each fuel cell (36) comprises a first electrode (40), an electrolyte (42) and a second electrode (44). A plurality of interconnectors (38) are arranged to electrically connect the fuel cells (36) in electrical series. Each interconnector (38) electrically connects a first electrode (40) of one fuel cell (36) to a second electrode (44) of an adjacent fuel cell (36). The first electrode (40) comprises a first layer (40A) on the electrolyte (42 to optimise the electrochemical activity at the electrolyte (42) and a second layer (40B) on the first layer (40A) to provide electronic conduction perpendicular to the layers (40, 42, 44) of the fuel cell (36). The second layer (40B) is arranged such that electronic conduction perpendicular to the layers (40, 42, 44)) of the fuel cell (36) is different at different positions in the second layer (40B).

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module (30) comprises a hollow support member (32) and a plurality of fuel cells (36) spaced apart longitudinally on one surface (34) of the hollow support member (32). A plurality of interconnectors (38) electrically connect the fuel cells (36) in electrical series. Each fuel cell (36) comprises a first electrode (40), an electrolyte (42) and a second electrode (44). The first electrodes (40) of each of the fuel cells (36) are electrically connected to the second electrode (44) of adjacent fuel cells (36) by a plurality of interconnectors (38) spaced apart laterally with respect to the hollow support member (32). A laterally extending end (46) of the first electrode (40) of the said adjacent fuel cell (36) has a plurality of recesses (48) spaced apart laterally with respect to the hollow support member (32).