Abstract: A fuel cell system having a cathode, anode and auxiliary loop is provided. The anode loop may be configured to deliver reformed and unreformed fuel to the fuel cells. Unreformed fuel may be provided to the fuel cells by bypassing a portion of the fuel around a reformer. The unreformed fuel may be reformed in the fuel cell block. The cathode loop may direct a portion of oxidant exhausted from said fuel cells back to the fuel cell through a cathode ejector. The ejector may be supplied with pressurized oxidant that may be heated prior to entering the cathode ejector. The auxiliary loop may combust unused fuel and oxidant to provide the heat transferred to the oxidant prior to the oxidant entering the cathode loop.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell system may comprise segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells. The system may comprise a first fuel cell tube, a second fuel cell tube, and a plurality of secondary interconnects. The first and second fuel cell tubes may comprise a substrate having a first and second end and a pair of generally planar opposing major surfaces extending between the ends, a plurality of fuel cells disposed on one of the major surfaces wherein the fuel cells are electrically coupled in series to one another, a first electrical conductor that provides an electrical path from a fuel cell disposed on the major surface near an end of the substrate to a location on the other of the major surfaces. The plurality of secondary interconnects provide an electrical path between the first and second fuel cell tubes. The plurality of interconnects may be coupled to the first electrical conductor of each tube.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell system may be a segmented-in-series, solid-oxide fuel cell system. The system may comprise a fuel cell tube and a secondary interconnect. The fuel cell tube may comprise a substrate, a fuel channel, a first and second electrochemical active fuel cell, a primary interconnect, and an electrochemically inactive cell. The substrate may have a major surface. The fuel channel may be separated from the major surface by the substrate. The first and second electrochemically active fuel cells may be disposed on the major surface, and may comprise and anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode. The primary interconnect may electrically couple the anode of the first electrochemically active fuel cell to the cathode of a second electrochemically active fuel cell. The electrochemically inactive fuel cell may be disposed on the major surface and comprise a conductive layer electrically coupled to the second electrochemically active fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a cathode, anode and auxiliary loop is provided. The anode loop may be configured to deliver reformed and unreformed fuel to the fuel cells. Unreformed fuel may be provided to the fuel cells by bypassing a portion of the fuel around a reformer. The unreformed fuel may be reformed in the fuel cell block. The cathode loop may direct a portion of oxidant exhausted from said fuel cells back to the fuel cell through a cathode ejector. The ejector may be supplied with pressurized oxidant that may be heated prior to entering the cathode ejector. The auxiliary loop may combust unused fuel and oxidant to provide the heat transferred to the oxidant prior to the oxidant entering the cathode loop.