Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveniently manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) at a cost that is less than five-hundred dollars per kilowatt of electricity. The method comprises forming an electrode layer and depositing an electrolyte material on the surface of the electrode. The formed structure is an electrode-electrolyte bi-layer. A second electrode is deposited onto this bi-layer to form a multilayer fuel cell structure comprising an electrolyte positioned between two electrodes. This multilayer structure is then heated and fired in a single thermal cycle to remove any binder materials and sinter, respectively, the fuel cell. This thermal cycle can be performed in a furnace having one or more chambers. The chamber(s) preferably contains a variable or multiple frequency microwave source for heating the cell and removing binder materials in the electrolyte and electrode structures. The chamber(s) also preferably include a convection and/or radiation source for sintering the fuel cell.

Abstract: A process for purification of hydrogen from a stream of synthesis gas or other reformate gases is described. The process, generally conducted at temperatures of approximately 800-1000° C., involves the use of a cell in which a mixture of reformate gas and steam are flowed on one side of a dense solid state ceramic membrane, while steam is passed on the other side. High purity hydrogen is generated on the steam side. The membrane is similar to one that has in the past been used for oxygen purification and can be single or two phase, for example La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3+Pd.

Abstract: The invention provides for a stable materials system for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Without limitation, a solid electrolyte layer can include a Sr-and-Mg doped lanthanum gallate layer, such as La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3, (LSGM), or a bi-layer semiconductor electrolyte (comprising, for example, donor doped SrTiO3 in an n-type first semiconductor layer and LSCF or LSM in a p-type second semiconductor layer); cathode materials can include La1-xSrxMnO3 (LSM), La1-xSrxCoyFe1-yO3 (LSCF), a two-phase particulate composite consisting of LSM and LSGM (LSM-LSGM), and LSCF-LSGM composite; anode materials can include Ni—Ce0.85Gd0.15O2 (Ni-GDC) and Ni—Ce0.6La0.4O2 (Ni-LDC) composites; and a barrier layer of GDC or LDC can be used between the electrolyte and Ni-composite anode to prevent adverse reaction of the Ni in the anode layer with lanthanum in the electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A mixed ionic and electronic conducting membrane includes a two-phase solid state ceramic composite, wherein the first phase comprises an oxygen ion conductor and the second phase comprises an n-type electronically conductive oxide, wherein the electronically conductive oxide is stable at an oxygen partial pressure as low as 10?20 atm and has an electronic conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. A hydrogen separation system and related methods using the mixed ionic and electronic conducting membrane are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveniently manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) at a cost that is less than five-hundred dollars per kilowatt of electricity. The method comprises forming an electrode layer and depositing an electrolyte material on the surface of the electrode. The formed structure is an electrode-electrolyte bi-layer. A second electrode is deposited onto this bi-layer to form a multilayer fuel cell structure comprising an electrolyte positioned between two electrodes. This multilayer structure is then heated and fired in a single thermal cycle to remove any binder materials and sinter, respectively, the fuel cell. This thermal cycle can be performed in a furnace having one or more chambers. The chamber(s) preferably contains a variable or multiple frequency microwave source for heating the cell and removing binder materials in the electrolyte and electrode structures. The chamber(s) also preferably include a convection and/or radiation source for sintering the fuel cell.

Abstract: A process is described for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) (400) having a cathode (408), anode (404), and an electrolyte (406) via a one-step powder consolidation process using hot or hot iso-static pressing. The one-step process provides for a means for low-cost, high-volume, high-efficiency manufacturing of planar SOFC-dense electrolyte structures that is sandwiched between a porous anode and cathode electrodes. In addition, multiple cells can be simultaneously pressed using a stacked configuration.

Abstract: An amperometric in situ apparatus and technique for measuring the concentrations and transport properties of easily dissociable oxides in slags is described. The technique consists of a combination of different measurements utilizing an electrolyte to separate a reference-gas compartment from the slag of interest. A method and apparatus for metals extraction is also described which includes a vessel for holding a molten electrolyte, the electrolyte comprising a mobile metallic species and an anionic species having a diffusivity greater than about 10−5 cm2/sec; a cathode and an anode, the cathode in electrical contact with the molten metal electrolyte, the cathode and molten electrolyte separated from the anode by an ionic membrane capable of transporting the anionic species of the electrolyte into the membrane; and a power source for generating a potential between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: An amperometric in situ apparatus and technique for measuring the concentrations and transport properties of easily dissociable oxides in slags is described. The technique consists of a combination of different measurements utilizing an electrolyte to separate a reference-gas compartment from the slag of interest. A potentiometric measurement (type I) provides information on the thermodynamic properties of the slag; an amperometric measurement (type II) yields information concerning the type and transport properties of dissociable oxides; an electrolysis measurement (type III) determines the concentration of dissociable oxides. A method and apparatus for metals extraction is also described which includes a vessel for holding a molten electrolyte, the electrolyte comprising a mobile metallic species and an anionic species having a diffusivity greater than about 10.sup.-5 cm.sup.

Abstract: A process for sealing leaks gas spaces and/or gas channels between individual components of high-temperature fuel cells, includes introducing at least first and second and optionally further different gases at high temperature from the outside into the gas spaces and/or gas channels to be sealed off from one another, for flushing every leak with the first gas on one side and with the second or further gas on the other side. The first gas contains at least one gaseous compound that can be oxidized to form a metal ion-conducting and/or an oxygen ion-conducting oxide, and the second and optionally further gas contains oxygen and/or is able to give off oxygen. The first gas contains at least one oxidizable compound of at least one of the metals of an electrolyte material, a bipolar plate and electrodes of the fuel cells, and/or one element of the group including zirconium, nickel, calcium, magnesium, cerium and rare earth metal.