Abstract: A method for upgrading bio-mass material is provided. The method involves electrolytic reduction of the material in an electrochemical cell having a ceramic, oxygen-ion conducting membrane, where the membrane includes an electrolyte. One or more oxygenated or partially-oxygenated compounds are reduced by applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell. A system for upgrading bio-mass material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for upgrading bio-mass material is provided. The method involves electrolytic reduction of the material in an electrochemical cell having a ceramic, oxygen-ion conducting membrane, where the membrane includes an electrolyte. One or more oxygenated or partially-oxygenated compounds are reduced by applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell. A system for upgrading bio-mass material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) (100) for use in generating electricity while tolerating sulfur content in a fuel input stream. The solid oxide fuel cell (100) includes an electrolyte (106), a cathode (102), and a sulfur tolerant anode (104). The cathode (102) is disposed on a first side of the electrolyte (106). The sulfur tolerant anode (104) is disposed on a second side of the electrolyte (106) opposite the cathode (102). The sulfur tolerant anode (104) includes a composition of nickel, copper, and ceria to exhibit a substantially stable operating voltage at a constant current density in the presence of the sulfur content within the fuel input stream. The solid oxide fuel cell (100) is useful within a SOFC stack to generate electricity from reformate which includes synthesis gas (syngas) and sulfur content. The solid oxide fuel cell (100) is also useful within a SOFC stack to generate electricity from unreformed hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for use in generating electricity while tolerating sulfur content in a fuel input stream. The solid oxide fuel cell includes an electrolyte, a cathode, and a sulfur tolerant anode. The cathode is disposed on a first side of the electrolyte. The sulfur tolerant anode is disposed on a second side of the electrolyte opposite the cathode. The sulfur tolerant anode includes a composition of nickel, copper, and ceria to exhibit a substantially stable operating voltage at a constant current density in the presence of the sulfur content within the fuel input stream. The solid oxide fuel cell is useful within a SOFC stack to generate electricity from reformate which includes synthesis gas (syngas) and sulfur content. The solid oxide fuel cell is also useful within a SOFC stack to generate electricity from unreformed hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incinerating a medical waste material. The method includes introducing a volume of the medical waste material into a plasma zone of a non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator to incinerate the medical waste material.

Abstract: A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for oxidizing a combustible material. The method includes introducing a volume of the combustible material into a plasma zone of a gliding electric arc oxidation system. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system. The volume of oxidizer includes a stoichiometrically excessive amount of oxygen. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system to oxidize the combustible material.

Abstract: The object is to rapidly clean-up an off-gas generated by blasting in a pressure vessel to such a level as to permit the exhaust of the off-gas. An object to be blasted is blasted in a pressure vessel to generate an off-gas, which is introduced into a combustion furnace to burning a combustible component contained in the off-gas. The off-gas after the burning in a reservoir section is stored in the reservoir section, and exhausted out of the reservoir section if a component contained in the off-gas complies a predetermined emission requirement, otherwise returned to at least one of the pressure vessel and the combustion furnace to be re-treated if the component does not comply the emission requirement.

Abstract: An electrolyzer cell is disclosed which includes a cathode to reduce an oxygen-containing molecule, such as H2O, CO2, or a combination thereof, to produce an oxygen ion and a fuel molecule, such as H2, CO, or a combination thereof. An electrolyte is coupled to the cathode to transport the oxygen ion to an anode. The anode is coupled to the electrolyte to receive the oxygen ion and produce oxygen gas therewith. In one embodiment, the anode may be fabricated to include an electron-conducting phase having a perovskite crystalline structure or structure similar thereto. This perovskite may have a chemical formula of substantially (Pr(1-x)Lax)(z-y)A?yBO(3-?), wherein 0?x?0.5, 0?y?0.5, and 0.8?z?1.1. In another embodiment, the cathode includes an electron-conducting phase that contains nickel oxide intermixed with magnesium oxide.

Abstract: The object is to rapidly clean-up an off-gas generated by blasting in a pressure vessel to such a level as to permit the exhaust of the off-gas. An object to be blasted is blasted in a pressure vessel to generate an off-gas, which is introduced into a combustion furnace to burning a combustible component contained in the off-gas. The off-gas after the burning in a reservoir section is stored in the reservoir section, and exhausted out of the reservoir section if a component contained in the off-gas complies a predetermined emission requirement, otherwise returned to at least one of the pressure vessel and the combustion furnace to be re-treated if the component does not comply the emission requirement.

Abstract: A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.

Abstract: A multi-phase mixed protonic/electronic conducting material comprising a proton-conducting ceramic phase and an electron conductive ceramic phase. Under the presence of a partial pressure gradient of hydrogen across the membrane, a membrane fabricated with this material selectively transports hydrogen ions through the protonically conductive ceramic phase and electrons through the electronically conducting ceramic phase, which results in ultrahigh purity hydrogen permeation through the membrane. The material has a high electronic conductivity and hydrogen gas transport is rate-limited by the protonic conductivity of the material.

Abstract: A multi-phase mixed protonic/electronic conducting material comprising a proton-conducting ceramic phase and an electron conductive ceramic phase. Under the presence of a partial pressure gradient of hydrogen across the membrane, a membrane fabricated with this material selectively transports hydrogen ions through the protonically conductive ceramic phase and electrons through the electronically conducting ceramic phase, which results in ultrahigh purity hydrogen permeation through the membrane. The material has a high electronic conductivity and hydrogen gas transport is rate-limited by the protonic conductivity of the material.

Abstract: The invention comprises a solid oxide fuel cell system comprising at least two solid oxide fuel cell stacks and at least one extension member. Each solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells. Each cell is separated by an interconnect. The extension member joins at least one interconnect of one of the solid oxide fuel cell stacks with a corresponding interconnect of another of the solid oxide fuel cell stacks. The invention further includes a method of fabrication.

Abstract: An interconnect for solid oxide fuel cells comprises a separator having a cathode side and an anode side, and, at least one compliant sheet of material associated with one of the cathode side and the anode side of the separator. The anode side is associateable with an anode of a first adjacent cell. The cathode side is associateable with a cathode of a second adjacent cell. The at least one compliant sheet of material electrically and mechanically connects the respective anode or cathode with the respective side of the separator plate.

Abstract: An electrolyte, and a process for its formation, for a solid oxide fuel cell comprising an electrolyte plate and a supporting member. The electrolyte plate includes an upper and a lower surface. The support member includes a plurality of non-intersecting support members which are positioned on at least one of the upper and the lower surfaces of the electrolyte plate.

Abstract: An interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell comprises a gas separator plate and at least one fill material. The gas separator plate includes at least one via extending therethrough. The at least one fill material is positioned within the at least one via, and operatively associated with at least one of a cathode or anode. The invention likewise includes a method for manufacturing the interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: An SOFC anode is provided, which is fabricated from ceria which has been mixed with a nickel oxide-magnesium oxide material to stabilize the nickel against coarsening during high temperature SOFC operation. With a starting material of NiO--MgO solid solution in a cement anode, the MgO will diffuse into zirconia and/or ceria at the appropriate firing temperature for the respective materials. Reduction of NiO in the anode with the fuel during cell operation will result in metallic Ni grains with a fine dispersion of MgO. The dispersion of MgO in Ni retards coarsening of nickel during the high temperature operation of the cell.

Abstract: An improved ceramic interconnect component for a solid oxide fuel cell having good electrical conductivity and thermodynamic stability in the presence of fuel and a coefficient of thermal expansion matching closely that of zirconia electrolytes is disclosed. The interconnect is a lanthanum chromite material including strontium and magnesium as dopants.