Abstract: A High Entropy Alloy (HEA) anode for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), in which the HEA anode comprises: approximately ten (˜10) atomic percent (%) to ˜35% Copper (Cu) (preferably ˜23% to ˜27% Cu, and more preferably ˜24% to ˜26% Cu); ˜10% to ˜35% Iron (Fe) (preferably ˜23% to ˜27% Fe, and more preferably ˜24% to ˜26% Fe); ˜10% to ˜35% Cobalt (Co) (preferably ˜23% to ˜27% Co, and more preferably ˜24% to ˜26% Co); ˜5% to ˜25% Nickel (Ni) (preferably ˜13% to ˜17% Ni, and more preferably ˜14% to ˜16% Ni); ˜5% to ˜20% Manganese (Mn) (preferably ˜8% to 13% Mn, and more preferably ˜9% to 11% Mn); and less than a total of ˜2% other elements as impurities (preferably less than ˜1% total of other elements or impurities, and more preferably less than ˜0.5% total of other elements or impurities), with the sum of all of the alloying elements (Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and impurities or other elements) totaling 100%.

Abstract: Mesoporous aluminosilicate materials and methods of using the same are described.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon material and methods of forming and using the same are provided.

Abstract: High temperature electrochemical systems and methods of capturing Cr species from a gas (e.g., oxidant gas) stream flowing in such systems are described herein.

Abstract: A system, sorbent formulations, methods of preparation, and methods are described that provide selective sorption and release of CO2 from CO2-containing gases such as syngas. The sorbent may include magnesium oxide (MgO) and a group-I alkali metal nitrate. The sorbent may also include a group-I alkali metal carbonate and/or a group-II alkaline-earth metal carbonate.

Abstract: Solid-state ionic or electrochemical devices can depend critically on the proper formation of a dense, Gd-doped ceria (GDC) layer on a porous substrate. Devices and methods of the present invention are characterized by the formation of a transitional buffer layer, which is less than 10 microns thick and comprises GDC, located between the porous substrate and the dense GDC layer. The transitional buffer layer provides a practical way to form the dense GDC layer on the porous substrate without cracks in the GDC layer and without clogging the pores of the substrate.

Abstract: A control system (20) for controlling the state of charge in an energy storage device (28) by manipulating the voltage of a fuel cell (24) through dynamic system modeling of predetermined parameters (21) for the fuel cell (24) as well as the energy storage device (28). According to the method (100) of the present invention, manipulation (108) of predetermined parameters related to the fuel cell and the energy storage device control the energy storage device to a desired state of charge or divides the load current between the two devices.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system 20 operates on a hydrocarbon fuel and includes a solid oxide fuel cell 30, a fuel reformer 30 and a humidifier 26. The humidifier passively transfers water from a exhaust stream 35 of the solid oxide fuel cell to an inlet stream 27 to the fuel reformer 30.

Abstract: An electrical storage device is coupled in parallel to a fuel cell contained within a fuel cell power generation system. The electrical storage device is either a battery pack, a plurality of capacitors, or a plurality of supercapacitors and is capable of electrochemically oxidizing a quantity of reformer gas contained within an anode chamber of the fuel cell during transient load conditions by charging from a preset state of charge towards full capacity. The energy storage device thereby prevents large quantities of unoxidized reformer gas from entering a chamber of a combuster during transient load conditions, unoxidized reformer gas that generates a tremendous amount of heat when burned that can corrode or damage the combuster.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generation system is disclosed which includes a primary fuel cell stack for generating a first quantity of electric power, an auxiliary fuel cell stack for generating a second quantity of electric power, a fuel handling subsystem for feeding a fuel containing hydrogen to the primary fuel cell stack and the auxiliary fuel cell stack, an oxidant handling subsystem including a compressor for feeding an oxidant containing oxygen to the primary fuel cell stack, and a controller electrically connected to the primary fuel cell stack, the auxiliary fuel cell stack, the fuel handling subsystem and the oxidant handling subsystem for controlling operation of the fuel cell power generation system.

Abstract: A control system (20) for controlling the state of charge in an energy storage device (28) by manipulating the voltage of a fuel cell (24) through dynamic system modeling of predetermined parameters (21) for the fuel cell (24) as well as the energy storage device (28). According to the method (100) of the present invention, manipulation (108) of predetermined parameters related to the fuel cell and the energy storage device control the energy storage device to a desired state of charge or divides the load current between the two devices.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generation system is disclosed which includes a primary fuel cell stack for generating a first quantity of electric power, an auxiliary fuel cell stack for generating a second quantity of electric power, a fuel handling subsystem for feeding a fuel containing hydrogen to the primary fuel cell stack and the auxiliary fuel cell stack, an oxidant handling subsystem for feeding an oxidant containing oxygen to the primary fuel cell stack, and a controller electrically connected to the primary fuel cell stack, the auxiliary fuel cell stack, the fuel handling subsystem and the oxidant handling subsystem for controlling operation of the fuel cell power generation system.

Abstract: An electrical storage device is coupled in parallel to a fuel cell contained within a fuel cell power generation system. The electrical storage device is either a battery pack, a plurality of capacitors, or a plurality of supercapacitors and is capable of electrochemically oxidizing a quantity of reformer gas contained within an anode chamber of the fuel cell during transient load conditions by charging from a preset state of charge towards full capacity. The energy storage device thereby prevents large quantities of unoxidized reformer gas from entering a chamber of a combuster during transient load conditions, unoxidized reformer gas that generates a tremendous amount of heat when burned that can corrode or damage the combuster.

Abstract: A tubular polymeric membrane fuel cell mechanically integrated through upper and lower manifolds that also acts as power leads to the fuel cell. The fuel cell of the present invention can be stacked and multiple fuel cell stacks can be arranged in a series and parallel format. According to the manifold design of the present invention, the dual-purpose manifolds allow the fuel cell system to operate under low parasitic power loss conditions, thereby simplifying and improving the system. In addition, the mechanically integrated fuel cell structure of the present invention does not require external clamping. The manifold design of the present invention mechanically integrates the fuel cells and the fuel cell stacks without the need for external clamping.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thin foil alloys through a series of steps. A carrier having a polished carrier surface is placed within a deposition chamber. The carrier surface is generally polished to a mirrored surface finish. A sacrificial layer is applied atop the carrier surface. The sacrificial layer is made of a material that may be easily dissolved or separated from the carrier surface to remove the metal foil. The carrier surface and sacrificial layer are placed within the deposition chamber. The sacrificial layer is exposed to an evaporated first metal which becomes deposited upon the sacrificial layer. An evaporated second metal is then applied concurrently or sequentially with the first metal. The first and second evaporated metals solidify on the sacrificial layer to form a multilayer foil. At this point, the multilayer foil includes discrete layers or areas of the evaporated metals.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (40) having a closed end (44) and an open end (42) operates in a fuel cell generator (10) where the fuel cell open end (42) of each fuel cell contains a sleeve (60, 64) fitted over the open end (42), where the sleeve (60, 64) extends beyond the open end (42) of the fuel cell (40) to prevent degradation of the interior air electrode of the fuel cell by fuel gas during operation of the generator (10).

Abstract: A container for fuel cells is made from an iron aluminide alloy. The container alloy preferably includes from about 13 to about 22 weight percent Al, from about 2 to about 8 weight percent Cr, from about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent M selected from Zr and Hf, from about 0.005 to about 0.5 weight percent B or from about 0.001 to about 1 weight percent C, and the balance Fe and incidental impurities. The iron aluminide container alloy is extremely resistant to corrosion and metal loss when exposed to dual reducing and oxidizing atmospheres at elevated temperatures. The alloy is particularly useful for containment vessels for solid oxide fuel cells, as a replacement for stainless steel alloys which are currently used.

Abstract: A cover and startup gas supply system for a solid oxide fuel cell power generator is disclosed. Hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas or diesel fuel, and oxygen-containing gas are supplied to a burner. Combustion gas exiting the burner is cooled prior to delivery to the solid oxide fuel cell. The system mixes the combusted hydrocarbon fuel constituents with hydrogen which is preferably stored in solid form to obtain a non-explosive gas mixture. The system may be used to provide both non-explosive cover gas and hydrogen-rich startup gas to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A low cost, lanthanide-substituted, dimensionally and thermally stable, gas permeable, electrically conductive, porous ceramic air electrode composition of lanthanide-substituted doped lanthanum manganite is provided which is used as the cathode in high temperature, solid oxide electrolyte fuel cells and generators. The air electrode composition of this invention has a much lower fabrication cost as a result of using a lower cost lanthanide mixture, either a natural mixture or an unfinished lanthanide concentrate obtained from a natural mixture subjected to incomplete purification, as the raw material in place of part or all of the higher cost individual lanthanum. The mixed lanthanide primarily contains a mixture of at least La, Ce, Pr, and Nd, or at least La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm in its lanthanide content, but can also include minor amounts of other lanthanides and trace impurities. The use of lanthanides in place of some or all of the lanthanum also increases the dimensional stability of the air electrode.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon reforming catalyst material comprising a catalyst support impregnated with catalyst is provided for reforming hydrocarbon fuel gases in an electrochemical generator. Elongated electrochemical cells convert the fuel to electrical power in the presence of an oxidant, after which the spent fuel is recirculated and combined with a fresh hydrocarbon feed fuel forming the reformable gas mixture which is fed to a reforming chamber containing a reforming catalyst material, where the reforming catalyst material includes discrete passageways integrally formed along the length of the catalyst support in the direction of reformable gas flow. The spent fuel and/or combusted exhaust gases discharged from the generator chamber transfer heat to the catalyst support, which in turn transfers heat to the reformable gas and to the catalyst, preferably via a number of discrete passageways disposed adjacent one another in the reforming catalyst support.