Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst for a partial oxidation reforming reaction of fuel in the form of disk having through-hole. In addition, according to the invention, there is provided a fuel reforming apparatus and method using the catalyst. The catalyst for a partial oxidation reforming reaction of fuel according to the invention makes it possible to progress the partial oxidation reforming reaction of fuel smoothly, to improve the efficiency when reforming the fuel and to simplify the fuel reforming reactor. According to the fuel reforming apparatus and method, since the heat of reaction is efficiently controlled and used, a simple on-off operation, reduction of starting time and a stable operational condition are accomplished, which are indispensably required for a fuel reforming system in fuel cells, such as household, portable and car fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode having a novel configuration for improving performance of the electrode used in solid-oxide fuel cells, sensors and solid state devices, in which the electrode providing electron conductivity is coated with ion conductive ceramic ceria film, enabling an electron conductive path and an ion conductive path to be independently and continuously maintained, and additionally extending a triple phase boundary where electrode/electrolyte/gas are in contact, and a method for manufacturing the same. The electrode is manufactured by coating the prefabricated electrode for use in a SOFC or sensor with a porous oxygen ion conductive ceramic ceria film by a sol-gel method, whereby the electron conductive material and ion conductive material exist independently, having a new microstructure configuration with a greatly extended triple phase boundary, thus improving electrode performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polybenzimidazole based polymer, which can be used at high temperature under no-humidification conditions for preparing a fuel cell, in particular, a fuel cell membrane instead of the existing Nafion type perfluorosulfonated polymers, with which it is easy to increase a doping level, and also, which exhibits an excellent mechanical strength, further, which is inexpensive. Further, disclosed is a method for preparing the polybenzimidazole based polymer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of Membrane-Electrode-Gasket Assemblies (MEGAs) used for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is described wherein a polymer electrolyte membrane is formed directly on a electrode. A typical PEFC is constructed by assembling membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), gaskets, and separators. According to the invented method, PEFC is fabricated by assembling separators and MEGA, into which MEA and a gasket are integrated. Compared to the conventional MEA-gasket assemblies, MEGAs are easy to handle and can be mass-produced via a manufacturing process in a series. Moreover, employing MEGAs improves PEFC performance since the membrane thickness of MEGAs is lower than that of the conventional MEA-gasket assemblies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst for a partial oxidation reforming reaction of fuel in the form of disk having through-hole. In addition, according to the invention, there is provided a fuel reforming apparatus and method using the catalyst. The catalyst for a partial oxidation reforming reaction of fuel according to the invention makes it possible to progress the partial oxidation reforming reaction of fuel smoothly, to improve the efficiency when reforming the fuel and to simplify the fuel reforming reactor. According to the fuel reforming apparatus and method, since the heat of reaction is efficiently controlled and used, a simple on-off operation, reduction of starting time and a stable operational condition are accomplished, which are indispensably required for a fuel reforming system in fuel cells, such as household, portable and car fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for operating a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell at temperatures below the freezing point of water and an apparatus thereof are provided to prevent damage and performance degradation of the membrane-electrode assemblies. Non-humidified gas flows for several seconds before temperature of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell falls below the freezing temperature of water when operation of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stops. Simultaneously, anode of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is filled with a solution having a low freezing point to prevent the temperature of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell falling below the freezing point of water due to the lower ambient temperature in the winter. When the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is restarted, the cell performance is not degraded reflecting that the present invention stably preserves the fuel cell.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing Ni—Al alloy powders for electrode materials of fuel cells, in which, using aluminum chloride (AlCl3) as a catalyst, powders of Ni and Al, that have been used as electrode materials, are chemically reacted with each other to diffuse the Al into the Ni powders, so that Ni—Al alloy powders can be manufactured at a low temperature below fusion points of Ni and Al while maintaining a shape and a size of the existing Ni powders as they are, thus providing a manufacturing process of Ni—Al alloy powders that is simple, economical, compatible in working, and ready for scale-up, and in which a conventional manufacturing process of electrode based on Ni is used as it is, so that large sized electrode is manufactured.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing Ni—Al alloy anode for fuel cells, in which, using nickel powders, Ni powders are mixed with Ni—Al alloy powders, which are hardly sintered in themselves, to assist a sintering of Ni—Al alloy, whereby Ni—Al alloy anode can be manufactured simply, economically and compatibly with mass production even by a conventional manufacturing process for an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier for humidifying reactant gases for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system, and more particularly, to the humidifier for humidifying reactant gas which adjusts an amount of water for humidification while reducing electric power consumption and size, thereby maintaining an optimal temperature and humidity of the reactant gas supplied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The humidifier for humidifying reactant gases comprises a humidification vessel connected to a reactant gas inlet pipe for supplying reactant gases thereto, a water inlet pipe for supplying water thereto, and a reactant gas supplying pipe for supplying the humidified reactant gas to the fuel cell are connected, respectively, and a sprayer which is installed in the humidification vessel and finely sprays the reactant gases and water which are supplied to the humidification vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing composite polymer electrolyte membranes coated with inorganic thin films for fuel cells using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method or a reactive sputtering method, so as to reduce the crossover of methanol through polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells and enhance the performance of the fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anode for a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) and a MCFC including the same, particularly an anode for the MCFC coated by a porous ceramic film, when the invention is used, the wettability of the anode to the molten carbonate used as the electrolyte for the MCFC and the amount of impregnated electrolyte will be greatly improved, and thus is very useful in viewpoint that it can prevent any electrolyte loss that is often observed in the long periods of operation of the MCFC, and maintain a high stability of the cell for an extended period of time, compared with the conventional cell. Also, the present invention itself is applicable to an electrode made of Ni-based alloys or metal compounds, which is expected to be competent MCFC materials nowadays, as well as the electrode made of Ni, Ni—Cr and Ni—Al alloy used in the present invention.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing Ni—Al alloy powders for electrode materials of fuel cells, in which, using aluminum chloride (AlCl3) as a catalyst, powders of Ni and Al, that have been used as electrode materials, are chemically reacted with each other to diffuse the Al into the Ni powders, so that Ni—Al alloy powders can be manufactured at a low temperature below fusion points of Ni and Al while maintaining a shape and a size of the existing Ni powders as they are, thus providing a manufacturing process of Ni—Al alloy powders that is simple, economical, compatible in working, and ready for scale-up, and in which a conventional manufacturing process of electrode based on Ni is used as it is, so that large sized electrode is manufactured.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of Membrane-Electrode-Gasket Assemblies (MEGAs) used for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is described wherein a polymer electrolyte membrane is formed directly on a electrode. A typical PEFC is constructed by assembling membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), gaskets, and separators. According to the invented method, PEFC is fabricated by assembling separators and MEGA, into which MEA and a gasket are integrated. Compared to the conventional MEA-gasket assemblies, MEGAs are easy to handle and can be mass-produced via a manufacturing process in a series. Moreover, employing MEGAs improves PEFC performance since the membrane thickness of MEGAs is lower than that of the conventional MEA-gasket assemblies.

Abstract: A perforated gas-distributing plate for compact fuel cells made of a metal material such as stainless steel on which gas flow paths are formed by an etching process, and a separator plate manufactured using the gas-distributing plate are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell at temperatures below the freezing point of water and an apparatus thereof are provided to prevent damage and performance degradation of the membrane-electrode assemblies. Non-humidified gas flows for several seconds before temperature of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell falls below the freezing temperature of water when operation of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stops. Simultaneously, anode of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is filled with a solution having a low freezing point to prevent the temperature of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell falling below the freezing point of water due to the lower ambient temperature in the winter. When the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is restarted, the cell performance is not degraded reflecting that the present invention stably preserves the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anode for a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) and a MCFC including the same, particularly an anode for the MCFC coated by a porous ceramic film, when the invention is used, the wettability of the anode to the molten carbonate used as the electrolyte for the MCFC and the amount of impregnated electrolyte will be greatly improved, and thus is very useful in viewpoint that it can prevent any electrolyte loss that is often observed in the long periods of operation of the MCFC, and maintain a high stability of the cell for an extended period of time, compared with the conventional cell. Also, the present invention itself is applicable to an electrode made of Ni-based alloys or metal compounds, which is expected to be competent MCFC materials nowadays, as well as the electrode made of Ni, Ni—Cr and Ni—Al alloy used in the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode having a novel configuration for improving performance of the electrode used in solid-oxide fuel cells, sensors and solid state devices, in which the electrode providing electron conductivity is coated with ion conductive ceramic ceria film, enabling an electron conductive path and an ion conductive path to be independently and continuously maintained, and additionally extending a triple phase boundary where electrode/electrolyte/gas are in contact, and a method for manufacturing the same. The electrode is manufactured by coating the prefabricated electrode for use in a SOFC or sensor with a porous oxygen ion conductive ceramic ceria film by a sol-gel method, whereby the electron conductive material and ion conductive material exist independently, having a new microstructure configuration with a greatly extended triple phase boundary, thus improving electrode performance.

Abstract: An internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell having a membrane for intercepting carbonate vapor and hydrated vapor is disclosed. The intercepting membrane is made from nickel or nickel alloy which has a high electrical conductivity, corrosion resistant property in an anode environment, and a low affinity for the carbonate vapor. Due to the presence of the intercepting membrane, the transfer of the carbonate vapors and hydrated vapors to the internal reforming catalyst is markedly retarded to prolong the catalytic activity. As a result, a longer operating molten carbonate fuel cell can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier for humidifying reactant gases for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system, and more particularly, to the humidifier for humidifying reactant gas which is capable of adjusting the amount of water for humidification while reducing the electric power consumption and its size, thereby maintaining an optimal temperature and humidity of the reactant gas supplied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The humidifier for humidifying reactant gases comprises a humidification vessel which a reactant gas inlet pipe for supplying reactant gases thereto, a water inlet pipe for supplying water thereto, and a reactant gas supplying pipe for supplying the humidified reactant gas to the fuel cell are connected, respectively, and a spray which is installed in the humidification vessel and finely sprays the reactant gases and water which are supplied to the humidification vessel.

Abstract: An internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell having a membrane for intercepting carbonate vapor and hydrated vapor is disclosed. The intercepting membrane is made from nickel or nickel alloy which has a high electrical conductivity, corrosion resistant property in an anode environment, and a low affinity for the carbonate vapor. Due to the presence of the intercepting membrane, the transfer of the carbonate vapors and hydrated vapors to the internal reforming catalyst is markedly retarded to prolong the catalytic activity. As a result, a longer operating molten carbonate fuel cell can be obtained.