Abstract: A method for the thermal management of a fuel cell, which method comprises: processing a fuel supply stream comprising hydrogen, steam, at least one carbon oxide and optionally methane using a methanator to produce a fuel cell supply stream comprising a controlled concentration of methane; and reforming within the fuel cell methane present in the fuel cell supply stream, wherein the way in which the methanator is operated is adjusted in response to fluctuations in the temperature of the fuel cell such that the concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled in order to achieve a desired level of reforming of methane within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for the thermal management of a fuel cell, which method comprises: processing a fuel supply stream in an autothermal reformer to produce a fuel cell supply stream comprising a concentration of methane; and reforming within the fuel cell methane present in the fuel cell supply stream, wherein the concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled by operation of the autothermal reformer in order to achieve a desired level of reforming of methane within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for the thermal management of a fuel cell, which method comprises: processing a fuel supply stream comprising hydrogen, steam, at least one carbon oxide and optionally methane using a methanator to produce a fuel cell supply stream comprising a controlled concentration of methane; and reforming within the fuel cell methane present in the fuel cell supply stream, wherein the way in which the methanator is operated is adjusted in response to fluctuations in the temperature of the fuel cell such that the concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled in order to achieve a desired level of reforming of methane within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for the thermal management of a fuel cell, which method comprises: processing a fuel supply stream in an autothermal reformer to produce a fuel cell supply stream comprising a concentration of methane; and reforming within the fuel cell methane present in the fuel cell supply stream, wherein the concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled by operation of the autothermal reformer in order to achieve a desired level of reforming of methane within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell produces electricity by reacting a higher carbon hydrocarbon fuel with steam in a steam pre-reformer, whose temperature does not exceed 500° C. A fuel stream is produced that includes hydrogen and not less than about 20% by volume methane, measured on a wet basis. The fuel stream and an oxidant are supplied to a high temperature fuel cell in which the methane is reformed. The fuel cell produces electricity by reacting the fuel stream at a fuel cell anode, and by reacting the oxidant at a fuel cell cathode.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect device for a planar fuel cell having solid oxide electrolyte, a cathode and a nickel-containing anode comprises a plate-like chromium-containing substrate having fuel gas-flow channels on one side and an oxidation-resistant coating on surfaces of the one side adapted to contact the anode. The coating comprises an outer oxygen barrier layer for electrically contacting the anode comprising Ni, a noble metal except Ag or an alloy of one or more of these metals and an electrically conductive metal barrier layer comprising Nb, Ta, Ag or alloys of one or more of these metals between the substrate and the outer layer.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect device for a planar fuel cell, comprising solid oxide electrolyte (44), an anode and a cathode (42), is described. The interconnect device comprises a plate-like chromium-containing substrate (22) having gas-flow channels (28) on the cathode-side and a coating on the cathode-side. The coating comprises an oxide surface layer comprising at least one metal M selected from Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, and an M, Cr spinel layer intermediate the substrate and the oxide surface layer. The intermediate spinel layer is formed by reaction of M oxide with surface chromium oxide on the substrate. The coating material may be applied as oxide or as salt or metal, or a mixture, and then converted to oxide. The M-metal(s) may be mixed with non-M metal or be doped. Methods of application are described in which the oxide surface layer is partially reacted to form the intermediate spinel layer.