Abstract: Described herein are two-stage catalytic heating systems and methods of operating thereof. A system comprises a first-stage catalytic reactor and a second-stage catalytic reactor, configured to operate in sequence and at different operating conditions, For example, the first-stage catalytic reactor is supplied with fuel and oxidant at fuel-rich conditions. The first-stage catalytic reactor generates syngas. The syngas is flown into the second-stage catalytic reactor together with some additional oxidant. The second-stage catalytic reactor operates at fuel-lean conditions and generates exhaust. Splitting the overall fuel oxidation process between the two catalytic reactors allows operating these reactors away from the stoichiometric fuel-oxidant ratio and avoiding excessive temperatures in these reactors. As a result, fewer pollutants are generated during the operation of two-stage catalytic heating systems. For example, the temperatures are maintained below 1.000° C. at all oxidation stages.

Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising anode-conductor seals and/or cathode-conductor seals used for sealing porous metal structures and controlling the distribution of fuel and oxidants within these porous structures. For example, a SOFC comprises an anode conductor, cathode conductor, and electrolyte, disposed between the anode and cathode conductors. The anode conductor comprises multiple porous portions (permeable to the fuel) and a non-porous portion. The SOFC also comprises an anode-conductor seal, forming a stack with the non-porous portion. This sealing stack extends between the electrolyte and current collector and separates two porous portions thereby preventing the fuel and oxidant migration between these portions. In some examples, the sealing stack forms an enclosed boundary around one porous portion of the anode conductor. In the same or other examples, another sealing stack is formed in the cathode conductor, e.g.

Abstract: Described herein are catalytic heating systems, comprising catalytic reactors and dual-mode fuel evaporators, and methods of operating such systems. A dual-mode fuel evaporator is thermally coupled to a catalytic reactor and comprises an electric heater used for preheating the evaporator to at least a fuel-flow threshold temperature. Upon reaching this threshold, the liquid fuel, such as ethanol or methanol, is flown into the evaporator and evaporates therein, forming vaporized fuel. The vaporized fuel is mixed with oxidant, and the mixture is flown into the catalytic reactor where the vaporized fuel undergoes catalytic exothermic oxidation. At least some heat, generated in the catalytic reactor, is transferred to the evaporator and used for the evaporation of additional fuel. When the evaporator reaches or exceeds its operating threshold, the electric heater can be turned off and all heat is supplied to the evaporator from the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A method of sealing a glow plug of a fuel cell system, the glow plug including a housing and a heating element extending from a first end of the housing. The method includes inserting the heating element into a sealing element having an annular base and a tubular collar extending from the base and forming a fluid-tight connection between the glow plug and the fuel cell system by attaching the collar to the heating element and by attaching the base to the first end of the housing.

Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising anode-conductor seals and/or cathode-conductor seals used for sealing porous metal structures and controlling the distribution of fuel and oxidants within these porous structures. For example, a SOFC comprises an anode conductor, cathode conductor, and electrolyte, disposed between the anode and cathode conductors. The anode conductor comprises multiple porous portions (permeable to the fuel) and a non-porous portion. The SOFC also comprises an anode-conductor seal, forming a stack with the non-porous portion. This sealing stack extends between the electrolyte and current collector and separates two porous portions thereby preventing the fuel and oxidant migration between these portions. In some examples, the sealing stack forms an enclosed boundary around one porous portion of the anode conductor. In the same or other examples, another sealing stack is formed in the cathode conductor, e.g.

Abstract: Described herein are catalytic heating systems, comprising catalytic reactors and dual-mode fuel evaporators, and methods of operating such systems. A dual-mode fuel evaporator is thermally coupled to a catalytic reactor and comprises an electric heater used for preheating the evaporator to at least a fuel-flow threshold temperature. Upon reaching this threshold, the liquid fuel, such as ethanol or methanol, is flown into the evaporator and evaporates therein, forming vaporized fuel. The vaporized fuel is mixed with oxidant, and the mixture is flown into the catalytic reactor where the vaporized fuel undergoes catalytic exothermic oxidation. At least some heat, generated in the catalytic reactor, is transferred to the evaporator and used for the evaporation of additional fuel. When the evaporator reaches or exceeds its operating threshold, the electric heater can be turned off and all heat is supplied to the evaporator from the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells comprising conductive layers and methods of fabricating such cells. Specifically, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises cathode and anode layers, each comprising a porous base, catalyst sites disposed within the base, and a conductive layer. The conductive layer provides electrical conduction between the corresponding current collector and the catalyst sites. The conductive layer may at least partially extend into the porous base. For example, at least a portion of the conductive layer may be formed by infiltration of the porous base, e.g., before catalyst infiltration. In some examples, at least a portion of the conductive layer forms an interface between the corresponding porous base and the current collector. In these examples, the conductive layer is formed from an initial (green) conductive layer that is stacked between layers used to form the porous base and current collector and sintered the stack.

Abstract: Described herein are two-stage catalytic heating systems and methods of operating thereof. A system comprises a first-stage catalytic reactor and a second-stage catalytic reactor, configured to operate in sequence and at different operating conditions, For example, the first-stage catalytic reactor is supplied with fuel and oxidant at fuel-rich conditions. The first-stage catalytic reactor generates syngas. The syngas is flown into the second-stage catalytic reactor together with some additional oxidant. The second-stage catalytic reactor operates at fuel-lean conditions and generates exhaust. Splitting the overall fuel oxidation process between the two catalytic reactors allows operating these reactors away from the stoichiometric fuel-oxidant ratio and avoiding excessive temperatures in these reactors. As a result, fewer pollutants are generated during the operation of two-stage catalytic heating systems. For example, the temperatures are maintained below 1.000° C. at all oxidation stages.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises at least one fuel cell stack, a CPOX reactor, and a conduit for providing a fuel stream to the at least one fuel cell stack through the CPOX reactor during both a start up and a steady state modes of operation of the system.

Abstract: A combined heat and power system and method, the system including a generator configured to generate power, a power storage configured to store and discharge power generated by the generator, an exhaust conduit configured to receive exhaust from the generator, a waste heat recovery unit (WHRU) disposed in thermal communication with the exhaust conduit and configured to heat a fluid by transferring heat from the exhaust to the fluid, a tank configured to store the fluid heated by the WHRU, a transfer conduit configured to circulate the fluid between the WHRU and the tank, and an evaporator configured to evaporate liquid carbon dioxide using heat recovered from the exhaust.

Abstract: A solar wastewater disinfection system and method, the system including a solar collector configured to heat wastewater from a first temperature up to at least a second temperature, using solar energy; a pre-heater configured to heat the wastewater up to at least the first temperature, by transferring heat from the wastewater heated by the solar collector; a pump configured to circulate the wastewater between the pre-heater and the solar collector; and a controller configured to control the pump, such that the wastewater remains at or above the second temperature for a time period sufficient to pasteurize the wastewater.

Abstract: A combined heat and power system and method, the system including a generator configured to generate power, a power storage configured to store and discharge power generated by the generator, an exhaust conduit configured to receive exhaust from the generator, a waste heat recovery unit (WHRU) disposed in thermal communication with the exhaust conduit and configured to heat a fluid by transferring heat from the exhaust to the fluid, a tank configured to store the fluid heated by the WHRU, a transfer conduit configured to circulate the fluid between the WHRU and the tank, and an evaporator configured to evaporate liquid carbon dioxide using heat recovered from the exhaust.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.

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

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

Abstract: A glow plug and method of forming the same, the glow plug including a housing, a heating element extending from a first end of the housing, and a sealing element attached to the heating element and the first end of the housing. The sealing element may include an annular base and a tubular collar extending from the base. The sealing element may be attached using an ABA gold braze. The sealing element may include an austenitic nickel-chromium alloy. The glow plug may further include a landing pad configured to attach a lead wire to the heating element. The landing pad may include a collar and a lead connection extending from the collar and may be attached using the ABA gold braze. The glow plug may further include a glass sealing ring disposed between the heating element and the housing. The sealing ring may be attached using the ABA gold braze.