Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a solid oxide electrolyte located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The cathode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with a cathode catalyst material, and the anode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with an anode catalyst material, and the electrolyte is a ceramic layer having a lower porosity than the anode and the cathode electrodes. A ceramic reinforcing region may be located adjacent to the riser opening in the electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte, and an electrically conductive first dot pattern contact layer disposed on the first electrode. The first dot pattern contact layer includes a plurality of discrete protrusions.

Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.

Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.

Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell stack system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, with an improved balance of plant efficiency includes a thermally integrated reformer, combustor and the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cell stack includes a middle portion of fuel cells and at least one end portion of fuel cells. The fuel cells of the end portion is arranged in a cascade configuration with the fuel cells of the middle portion. The system is configured such that in operation, at least partial reformation of hydrocarbon fuel occurs internally within the fuel cells of the middle portion and the fuel cells of the end portion are configured to use fuel exhaust from the middle portion as fuel.

Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell stack system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, with an improved balance of plant efficiency includes a thermally integrated reformer, combustor and the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A current collector for a fuel cell stack includes a first member configured for coupling to a fuel cell stack, the first member comprising a generally planar portion and a tubular portion having an open end. The current collector also includes a flexible member coupled to the first member. At least a portion of the flexible member is received in the open end of the tubular portion and the first member and the flexible member provide a conductive path for current generated by the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell interconnect includes a first surface containing a first plurality of channels and a second surface containing a second plurality of channels. The first and second surfaces are disposed on opposite sides of the interconnect. The first plurality of channels is offset from the second plurality of channels.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first set of gas flow channels in a first portion of the interconnect, and a second set of gas flow channels in second portion of the interconnect.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system includes at least one oxygen partial pressure sensor or at least one open circuit voltage fuel cell (OCVFC) sensor which is fluidly integrated with said SOFC system.

Abstract: An electrochemical system includes a reversible fuel cell system which generates electrical energy and reactant product from fuel and oxidizer in a fuel cell mode and which generates the fuel and oxidant from the reactant product and the electrical energy in an electrolysis mode. The system also includes a reactant product delivery device which is adapted to supply the reactant product to the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode, in addition to or instead of the reactant product generated by the reversible fuel cell system in the fuel cell mode, and a fuel removal device which is adapted to remove the fuel generated by the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode from the electrochemical system.

Abstract: An electrochemical system includes a reversible fuel cell system which generates electrical energy and reactant product from fuel and oxidizer in a fuel cell mode and which generates the fuel and oxidant from the reactant product and the electrical energy in an electrolysis mode. The system also includes a reactant product delivery device which is adapted to supply the reactant product to the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode, in addition to or instead of the reactant product generated by the reversible fuel cell system in the fuel cell mode, and a fuel removal device which is adapted to remove the fuel generated by the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode from the electrochemical system.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system during a fuel outage or shortage includes detecting an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the fuel cell system, and providing a reducing purge gas flow to anode electrodes of fuel cells of the fuel cell system when the OCV approaches, reaches or falls below a threshold value below which oxidation of the anode electrodes occurs.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode. The anode electrode includes a first portion made of a first anode material and a second portion made of a second anode material. The first anode material is a higher performance, lower oxidation resistant material than the second anode material.

Abstract: A fuel purification system includes a fuel cell stack and a fuel purification unit, such as a distillation unit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to provide heat to the fuel purification unit, and the fuel purification unit is adapted to provide a purified fuel to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel storage device contains nanotubes adapted to store a hydrocarbon fuel. A hydrocarbon fuel storage method includes storing the hydrocarbon fuel in nanotubes. The nanotubes preferably are SWNTs having a total surface area of between 1,000 m2/g and 1587 m2/g.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell stack, a second fuel cell stack arranged in a cascade configuration with the first fuel cell stack, and at least one hydrocarbon fuel reformer which is thermally integrated with at least a portion of the first stack. The system is configured such that in operation, at least partial reformation of hydrocarbon fuel occurs prior to entry into the first stack or in the first stack, and the second stack uses fuel exhaust from the first stack as fuel. A method of operating the fuel cell system includes reforming a hydrocarbon fuel to form a reformed fuel while cooling at least a portion of a first fuel cell stack, generating electricity in the first fuel cell stack using the reformed fuel, providing a fuel exhaust stream from the first fuel cell stack into a second fuel cell stack, and generating electricity in the second fuel cell stack using the fuel exhaust stream from the first fuel stack as a fuel.

Abstract: A method of operating a high temperature fuel cell system containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks includes operating one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks at a first output power while operating another one or more of the plurality of the fuel cell stacks at a second output power different from the first output power.

Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate metabolic oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel reserve in an electrolysis mode. The system may also be used as a secondary power source or for energy peak shaving applications.