Abstract: A fuel cell system and method of operating the same, the system including: a fuel cell stack and a reaction zone configured to receive a fuel/air mixture; an electromagnetic induction glow plug configured to heat the fuel/air mixture; and an alternating current (AC) generator configured to provide an AC voltage to the glow plug. The glow plug includes a housing extending outside of the hotbox, a heating element disposed in the housing, and a coil coiled around the housing, electrically connected to the AC generator, and configured to inductively heat the heating element.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell stack column, and side baffles disposed on opposing sides of the column. The side baffles include side baffle plates containing at least one ceramic matrix composite (CMC) panel having at least one hole, and at least one denser ceramic element joined to the at least one CMC panel at the hole in the CMC panel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO), an ATO injector configured to mix a first portion of an anode exhaust from the fuel cell stack with a cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack and to provide a mixture of the first portion of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust into the ATO, an anode exhaust conduit which is configured to provide the first portion of the anode exhaust into the ATO injector, and cathode exhaust conduit which is configured to provide at least a portion of the cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack into the ATO injector. The ATO injector includes injector tubes or injection apertures.

Abstract: A fuel cell device includes at least one fuel cell column containing first and second fuel cell stacks, a fuel manifold located between the first and second fuel cell stacks and configured to provide fuel to the first and second fuel cell stacks, and a dielectric material located to electrically isolate the first and second fuel cell stacks from the fuel manifold.

Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing an anode exhaust from a fuel cell stack to a water injector, supplying water to the water injector, and injecting the water from the water injector into the anode exhaust to vaporize the water and generate a humidified anode exhaust.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks or columns, each fuel cell stack or column containing a plurality of fuel cells, and at least one pressure drop tool located in a fuel path of at least one first fuel cell stack or column but not in a fuel path of at least one second fuel cell stack or column.

Abstract: One method of operating a fuel cell system including splitting a cathode exhaust from one or more fuel cell stacks in the system into a majority cathode exhaust stream comprising more than 50% of the cathode exhaust and a first cathode exhaust bypass stream, providing the majority cathode exhaust stream to an inlet of an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) containing a catalyst and providing the first cathode bypass stream downstream of the catalyst such that it bypasses the catalyst. Another method includes providing an air inlet stream to the SOFC system via a main air inlet, providing the air inlet stream from the main air inlet to a cathode recuperator, and providing a cooling medium to a heat exchanger to cool the cathode recuperator.

Abstract: A conduit assembly includes a dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, a first metal tube including a first flange coupled to the first end of the inner dielectric tube, the first flange including relief openings, a first dielectric ring coupled to the first flange, a second metal tube including a second flange coupled to the second end of the inner dielectric tube, the second flange including relief openings, and a second dielectric ring coupled to the second flange.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel cell stack containing a plurality of fuel cells and interconnects, and first and second ceramic side baffles located on opposing sides of the fuel cell stack, and applying an electrical potential to an outer surface of at least one of the first and the second ceramic side baffles, such that the electrical potential is equal to or more negative than a lowest potential of any interconnect in the fuel cell stack or any electrically conductive fuel cell stack component.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell segments, each segment having a plurality of fuel cells. The segments include a positive terminal having a positive voltage with respect to ground and a negative terminal. The fuel cell system also includes at least one component electrically connecting the negative terminal to ground, the at least one component configured to decrease a surge current through the segments.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a reactant feed and return assembly, such as an anode splitter plate (ASP), are provided for facilitating reactant feed and exhaust flow in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack system. Embodiments include a reactant feed and return assembly including at least a first portion formed of a chromium-based alloy, such as a chromium-iron alloy, having a similar coefficient of thermal expansion as other SOFC components and may therefore reduce internal stress in an SOFC stack. Methods for making an a reactant feed and return assembly comprising a chromium-based alloy are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and method of operating the same, the system including: a fuel cell stack and a reaction zone configured to receive a fuel/air mixture; an electromagnetic induction glow plug configured to heat the fuel/air mixture; and an alternating current (AC) generator configured to provide an AC voltage to the glow plug. The glow plug includes a housing extending outside of the hotbox, a heating element disposed in the housing, and a coil coiled around the housing, electrically connected to the AC generator, and configured to inductively heat the heating element.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell stack column, and side baffles disposed on opposing sides of the column. The side baffles include side baffle plates containing at least one ceramic matrix composite (CMC) panel having at least one hole, and at least one denser ceramic element joined to the at least one CMC panel at the hole in the CMC panel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one spark igniter containing an insulated cable where at least a first end of the insulated cable is positioned within a reaction zone of the fuel cell system. A power supply is configured to provide a direct current (DC) voltage to the at least one spark igniter such that a spark is generated at the first end of the insulated cable.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel cell stack containing a plurality of fuel cells and interconnects, and first and second ceramic side baffles located on opposing sides of the fuel cell stack, and applying an electrical potential to an outer surface of at least one of the first and the second ceramic side baffles, such that the electrical potential is equal to or more negative than a lowest potential of any interconnect in the fuel cell stack or electrically conductive fuel cell stack or column component.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for a fuel cell system includes an inner dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, a first metal tube including a first lip coupled to the first end of the inner dielectric tube, a first dielectric ring coupled to the first lip of the first metal tube, a second metal tube including a second lip coupled to the second end of the inner dielectric tube, a second dielectric ring coupled to the second lip of the second metal tube, and an outer dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, coupled to the inner dielectric tube, the first dielectric ring and the second dielectric ring.

Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.

Abstract: A spring compression assembly is configured to apply a load to a stack of electrochemical cells. The assembly includes a ceramic leaf spring, a tensioner configured to apply pressure to a first side of the spring and a bottom plate located on a second side of the spring opposite the first side of the spring. The bottom plate is configured to transfer a load from the spring to the stack of electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a unit under test containing brazed dielectric to metal bond, includes providing at least one image of the bond and determining a characteristic of the bond based on at least one of a presence and size of a glassy phase in or adjacent to the bond.