Abstract: A system and method for controlling an anode exhaust gas bleed valve in a fuel cell system that includes estimating the gas composition in the anode exhaust gas, using an inverse valve model to calculate a desired valve flow coefficient, and bleeding the anode exhaust gas at a flow rate that results in the desired valve flow coefficient. The method includes determining the partial pressure of nitrogen in the anode exhaust gas, calculating the partial pressure of water vapor and hydrogen in the anode exhaust gas, and calculating the gas mole fraction of the nitrogen, water vapor and hydrogen in the anode exhaust gas. The method also includes using the gas mole fraction of nitrogen, water vapor and hydrogen to determine the desired valve flow coefficient, and using the desired valve flow coefficient to determine when to open and close the bleed valve.

Abstract: A nonaqueous-electrolyte battery has a positive electrode 3 including a positive active material, a negative electrode 4 including a negative active material having a lithium insertion/release potential higher than 1.0 V (vs. Li/Li+), and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a compound having pyridine groups and a compound having one or more silyl groups.

Abstract: A fuel-cell flow regulator is placed in a fuel cell having two entrances, each of which is formed at one of two sides of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is composed of a plurality of single cells, each of which includes a fuel inlet and a fuel passage in communication with the fuel inlet. The fuel passages jointly define a fuel tunnel in communication with all of the entrances. The flow regulator is located at the fuel tunnel and movable back and forth along the fuel tunnel.

Abstract: A method for producing and reactivating a solid oxide cell stack structure by providing a catalyst precursor in at least one of the electrode layers by impregnation and subsequent drying after the stack has been assembled and initiated. Due to a significantly improved performance and an unexpected voltage improvement this solid oxide cell stack structure is particularly suitable for use in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolysing cell (SOEC) applications.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes: plate-shaped cells (10) each having a pair of plate-shaped separators (6a) and (6b) and a membrane-electrode assembly (5) disposed between the separators (6a) and (6b); a cell stack (50) configured by stacking and fastening the cells (10); and a covering member (60) covering a peripheral surface of the cell stack (50), and voltage measuring terminal insertion holes (61) used to measure the voltages of the cells (10) are formed on the covering member (60) so as to be located at positions corresponding to the separators (6a) and (6b) of the cells (10).

Abstract: The present invention includes a fuel cell system having an interconnect that reduces or eliminates diffusion (leakage) of fuel and oxidant by providing an increased densification, by forming the interconnect as a ceramic/metal composite.

Abstract: A structure for use in an energy storage device, the structure comprising a backbone system extending generally perpendicularly from a reference plane, and a population of microstructured anodically active material layers supported by the lateral surfaces of the backbones, each of the microstructured anodically active material layers having a void volume fraction of at least 0.1 and a thickness of at least 1 micrometer.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrode assembly including a porous ceramic oxide matrix and an array of fluid conduits. The porous ceramic oxide matrix includes a labyrinth of reinforcing walls interconnected to one another. Each of the fluid conduits is formed from the porous ceramic oxide matrix and has an external surface with a plurality of struts projecting outwardly therefrom and an internal surface defining a first passage for flowing a first fluid therethrough. The struts are configured to connect the fluid conduits to one another and the external surfaces and the struts define a second passage around the fluid conduits for flowing a second fluid therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell unit, fuel cell unit array, fuel cell module and fuel cell system that can achieve a reduction in size and costs.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, a cell stack formed by laminating a membrane electrode assembly and a separator and sandwiching them from the both sides in the laminating direction with a pair of end plates is fastened by being tightened in the laminating direction with a first plate spring. The first plate spring includes two arm sections for pressing the pair of end plates and a connecting section connecting the arm sections, and has a C-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: There has been a problem that the cell units cannot bear the load exerted on the units while being stacked since a fuel cell stack including a refrigerant channel formed between cell units each having an even number of electrolyte/electrode structures (MEA) and metal separators which are alternated does not have any structure supporting the separators forming the refrigerant channel in a stacking direction. In order to solve the above problem, in each of a first power generating unit and a second power generating unit, projections formed at the buffer portions of the separators are disposed in the same positions in the stacking direction with the MEA interposed therebetween. Since between the first and second power generating units, the projections of the buffer portions are staggered, the projections of the first and second power generating units are thereby disposed in the same positions in the stacking direction.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack assembly, a mechanism for securing the fuel cell stack in its compressed, assembled state includes a spring bar loading a disc spring at an inner diameter of the disc spring and a compression band which circumscribes the fuel cell stack assembly.

Abstract: A cathode for a fuel cell includes a gas diffusion layer contacting with a separator having a channel and a catalyst layer interposed between the gas diffusion layer and an electrolyte membrane. The catalyst layer of the cathode has two portions with different water-repelling properties, and a portion of the catalyst layer that does not face a channel has a higher water-repelling property than a portion that faces a channel. This cathode controls water-repelling property of the catalyst layer differently according to locations, so it is possible to keep an amount of moisture in an electrode in a suitable way and to restrain generation of flooding, thereby improving the performance of the cell.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell is provided. The separator comprises a flow path member and a base separator. The flow path member is made of a graphite foil and has a flow path through which fluids pass. The base separator has a seating recess formed on the surface thereof. The flow path member is mounted in the seating recess. The flow path is formed by pressing the graphite foil. The separator can be produced at reduced processing cost in a short processing time.

Abstract: A transition metal nitride is obtained by a nitriding treatment of a surface of a base material including a transition metal or an alloy of the transition metal, and the transition metal nitride has a crystal structure of an M4N type and a crystal structure of an ?-M2˜3N type, and is formed over a whole area of the surface of the base material and continuously in a depth direction from the surface.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. In one aspect, the solid oxide fuel cell stack includes unit cells, an external collector, a first stack collecting member, a cap, and a suspension member. The external collector contacts an outer periphery of each of the unit cells and electrically connects the unit cells to each other. The first stack collecting member is positioned to collect current from a distal unit cell. A cap is provided in one end of the distal unit cell. The suspension member has one side thereof suspended from the cap and the other side fixed to the first stack collecting member to distribute weight of the first stack collecting member. Structural stability of a stack collector may be maintained even at oxidizing atmosphere of high temperature when driving the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A voltage detecting connecting structure and fuel cell has connectors which are in contact with terminals connected to the fuel cell. An embodiment of the fuel cell includes first cells which have the terminals at an anode and a cathode respectively, and second cells which have terminals in neither an anode plate nor a cathode, stacked alternately.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a plurality of subassemblies. Each subassembly includes at least one subcell of a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte between the first and second electrodes. A first bonding layer is at the second electrode and an interconnect layer is at the first bonding layer distal to the electrolyte. A second bonding layer that is compositionally distinct from the first bonding layer is at the interconnect layer, whereby the interconnect partitions the first and second bonding layers. A method of fabricating a fuel cell assembly includes co-firing at least two subassemblies using a third bonding layer that is microstructurally or compositionally distinct from the second bonding layer.

Abstract: This disclosure related to polymer electrolyte member fuel cells and components thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes forming a first sublayer of a first electrode on a first side of a planar solid oxide electrolyte and drying the first sublayer of the first electrode. The method also includes forming a second sublayer of the first electrode on the dried first sublayer of the first electrode prior to firing the first sublayer of the first electrode, firing the first and second sublayers of the first electrode during the same first firing step, and forming a second electrode on a second side of the solid oxide electrolyte.

Abstract: Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode.

Abstract: A secondary battery including a first bare cell, a second bare cell disposed to face at least a portion of the first bare cell, and a protection circuit module including a circuit board having an electrical circuit device mounted thereon and at least one connection tab between the first and second bare cells, the connection tab electrically connecting the circuit board to the first and second bare cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell component includes a fuel cell component body having a surface, and an identification information display portion provided on the fuel cell component body. The identification information display portion is provided at a recessed region of the fuel cell component body recessed relative to the surface.

Abstract: A power generation systems with solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and heat recovery unit (HRU) and method are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, a power generation system includes a partial oxidation (POX) reactor, an array of one or more fuel cell stacks and an HRU. The POX reactor is operable to generate a hydrogen rich gas from a fuel. The array of one or more fuel cell stacks includes at least one SOFC and is coupled to the POX reactor. The fuel cell stacks are operable to generate electrical power and heat from an electro-chemical reaction of the hydrogen rich gas and oxygen from an oxygen source. The HRU is coupled to the array of fuel cell stacks and operable to generate electrical power from the heat.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a low performing cell in a fuel cell stack using measured cell voltages. The method includes determining that the fuel cell stack is running, the stack coolant temperature is above a certain temperature and the stack current density is within a relatively low power range. The method further includes calculating the average cell voltage, and determining whether the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is greater than the predetermined threshold and the minimum cell voltage is less than another predetermined threshold, then the method increments a low performing cell timer. A ratio of the low performing cell timer and a system run timer is calculated to identify a low performing cell.

Abstract: A metal halogen electrochemical energy cell system that generates an electrical potential. One embodiment of the system includes at least one cell including at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode, at least one electrolyte, a mixing venturi that mixes the electrolyte with a halogen reactant, and a circulation pump that conveys the electrolyte mixed with the halogen reactant through the positive electrode and across the metal electrode. Preferably, the positive electrode comprises porous carbonaceous material, the negative electrode comprises zinc, the metal comprises zinc, the halogen comprises chlorine, the electrolyte comprises an aqueous zinc-chloride electrolyte, and the halogen reactant comprises a chlorine reactant. Also, variations of the system and a method of operation for the systems.

Abstract: An electrochemical power system is provided that generates an electromotive force (EMF) from the catalytic reaction of hydrogen to lower energy (hydrino) states providing direct conversion of the energy released from the hydrino reaction into electricity, the system comprising at least two components chosen from: a catalyst or a source of catalyst; atomic hydrogen or a source of atomic hydrogen; reactants to form the catalyst or source of catalyst and atomic hydrogen or source of atomic hydrogen, and one or more reactants to initiate the catalysis of atomic hydrogen. The electrochemical power system for forming hydrinos and electricity can farther comprise a cathode compartment comprising a cathode, an anode compartment comprising an anode, optionally a salt bridge, reactants that constitute hydrino reactants during cell operation with separate electron flow and ion mass transport, and a source of hydrogen.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for providing power to and leveraging waste heat from a consumer device, including a fuel cell stack that converts fuel to power at an operational temperature; a fuel source compartment that receives a fuel source that provides fuel to the fuel cell stack; an energy storage device; electrically connected to the fuel cell stack, that heats the fuel cell stack, receives power from the fuel cell stack, provides power to the device, and stores power from the fuel cell stack; and a thermal connection that directs waste heat from the device preferentially from the device to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The present invention features a fuel cell stack that preferably includes an electricity generating assembly having a plurality of unit cells that are suitably disposed one after another; a pair of end plates pressedly disposed respectively at upper and lower ends of the electricity generating assembly; and a joining device suitably engaging the end plates by a rope, where pressure is applied to the electricity generating assembly by means of tension of the rope, and the length and tension of the rope is suitably controlled.

Abstract: The concepts relate to in-line shunting of fuel cells. In one case, a fuel cell stack can include multiple serially arranged cells. The multiple serially arranged cells can be compressed against one another and can be supplied by a fuel supply manifold that is integral and internal to the fuel cell stack. A power source can be electrically coupled with the fuel cell stack at a bus. A controller can be configured to shunt sub-sets of the fuel cell stack while the fuel cell stack continues to supply power to the bus.

Abstract: A channel plate assembly of a stack for a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the channel plate assembly. The channel plate assembly of a stack for a fuel cell includes a bridge piece disposed on a channel plate to entirely surround a manifold, and a gasket disposed on the channel plate to cover the bridge piece, wherein the channel plate assembly is manufactured in an integrated fashion.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack, wherein a means for reducing the concentration of unreacted alcohol is disposed on the cathode exhaust gas side. This means comprises in particular an additional electrochemical cell, to which a voltage is applied and which at least partially converts the unreacted alcohol into CO2 and hydrogen or water by way of an electrochemical reduction reaction. Since the concentration of unreacted alcohol is generally low, the loss of power required for the additional reduction reaction does not result in any notable impairment of the efficiency of the fuel cell stack. The invention is thus not limited to direct-methanol fuel cells, but may also be similarly applied to high-temperature fuel cells, and particularly to high-temperature PEM fuel cells, in which the additional electrochemical cell disposed on the cathode exhaust gas side is advantageously able to convert the residual CO.

Abstract: Tubular ceramic structures of non-circular cross section, e.g., anode components of tubular fuel cells of non-circular cross section, are manufactured by applying ceramic-forming composition to the external non-circular surface of the heat shrinkable polymeric tubular mandrel component of a rotating mandrel-spindle assembly, removing the spindle from said assembly after a predetermined thickness of tubular ceramic structure of non-circular cross section has been built up on the mandrel and thereafter heat shrinking the mandrel to cause the mandrel to separate from the tubular ceramic structure of non-circular cross section.

Abstract: Electrolytic/fuel cell bundles and systems including such bundles include an electrically conductive current collector in communication with an anode or a cathode of each of a plurality of cells. A cross-sectional area of the current collector may vary in a direction generally parallel to a general direction of current flow through the current collector. The current collector may include a porous monolithic structure. At least one cell of the plurality of cells may include a current collector that surrounds an outer electrode of the cell and has at least six substantially planar exterior surfaces. The planar surfaces may extend along a length of the cell, and may abut against a substantially planar surface of a current collector of an adjacent cell. Methods for generating electricity and for performing electrolysis include flowing current through a conductive current collector having a varying cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a combustor. A combustion gas path for supplying the combustion gas produced in the combustor to the heat exchanger as the heat medium is provided. The combustion gas path is provided between a space of dual walls comprising a first inner plate and a second inner plate and a first case unit and a second case unit accommodating a load applying mechanism and the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact arrangement for a fuel cell stack, especially for an SOFC fuel cell stack, comprising an interconnector arrangement which is arranged to establish an electrically conducting connection via at least one contact element on the anode side and at least one such element on the cathode side between an anode of a first membrane electrode assembly and a cathode of a second membrane electrode assembly. The invention is characterized in that at least one component to be sintered is provided on only one side of the interconnector arrangement, on the side of the interconnector arrangement facing the anode or the one facing the cathode, the component being coupled to the first or second membrane electrode assembly in such a manner that the electrically conducting connection can be established via the contact element on the anode side or via that on the cathode side by sintering the component to be sintered.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a cell array in which M interconnector unit solid oxide fuel cells are connected in parallel to form a bundle, and N bundles are connected in series; a first plate-shaped current collecting member connected to a first bundle of the N bundles, the first current collecting member including a first terminal, and a second plate-shaped current collecting member connected to an Nth bundle of the N bundles, the second current collecting member including a second terminal; and a first elastic insulating member adjacent to the first current collecting member, the first insulating member having a first opening, a second elastic insulating member adjacent to the second current collecting member, the second insulating member having another first opening, and the first terminal passes through the first opening and the second terminal portion through the other first opening.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack structure is basically provided with a stack entity and at least one tie rod. The stack entity includes a plurality of solid electrolyte fuel cell units stacked together in a stacking direction. The tie rod extends through the stack entity to fasten the solid electrolyte fuel cell units so that the solid electrolyte fuel cell units are pressed against each other in the stacking direction. The tie rod has an outer cylinder, an inner shaft fitting into the outer cylinder, and a joining material disposed between the outer cylinder and the inner shaft. The joining material fastens the outer cylinder and the inner shaft together in an axial direction of the tie rod and is configured and arranged to maintain a cured state at an operating temperature.

Abstract: A method of removing residual oxygen in a residential high temperature non-humidification fuel cell stack including at least one cathode. The method includes making the pressure in the cathode higher than that outside of the cathode and maintaining airtight sealing of the cathode of the fuel cell stack, removing the residual oxygen in the fuel cell stack, and stopping supplying of fuel to the fuel cell stack. The setting of the pressure includes blocking air flow out of the cathode, comparing the pressure in the cathode with a set pressure higher than the pressure outside the cathode, and supplying air to the cathode until the pressure in the cathode is the same as or is higher than the set pressure.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a main body, a first seat, and a second seat. The main body includes a first end surface and a second end surface opposite to the first end surface. Two first pins extend upward from the first end surface. Two second pins extend downward from the second end surface. The first pins electrically connect the second pins. The first seat includes a first substrate and two first pads, the first seat is positioned on the second end surface of the main body and the first pads are electrically connected to the second pins. The second seat includes a second substrate and two second pads, the second seat is positioned on the first end surface of the main body and the second pads are electrically connected to the first pins.

Abstract: A substrate useful for the formation of, inter alia, a flow field plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, the substrate formed of at least one resin-impregnated sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite comprising two major surfaces, the substrate having an active area with flow field channels thereon, the sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having a local web thickness in at least about 50% of its active area that is no more than about 55% greater than the minimum web thickness of the active area of the substrate.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The fuel cell stack has at least one unit cell. The unit cell includes a first electrode collector, a first electrode layer formed on the first electrode collector, an electrolyte layer formed on the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer formed on the electrolyte layer, and a second electrode collector formed on the second electrode layer. At least one of the first and second electrode collectors may include a porous metal substrate having a density in a range from about 800 kg/m3 to about 1600 kg/m3 and a plurality of metal wires electrically connected to the porous metal substrate. The density of an electrode collector may be optimized to have an improved contact state between an electrode and the electrode collector. During operation, the fuel cell stack may thus have enhanced performance characteristics.

Abstract: A porous catalyst layer formed from discrete particles of unsupported metal, wherein at least 80%, suitably at least 90%, of the discrete particles have a mass of from 1 to 1000 zeptograms, and wherein the catalyst layer has a metal volume fraction of less than 30% and a metal loading of less than 0.09 mg/cm2 is disclosed. The catalyst layer is suitable for use in fuel cells and other electrochemical applications.

Abstract: A measurement device for measuring voltages along a linear array of voltage sources, such as a fuel cell stack, includes at least one movable contact or non-contact voltage probe that measures a voltage of an array element.

Abstract: A fuel-cell-equipped apparatus includes a fuel cell unit that includes a fuel cell module and a fuel cell case. The fuel cell module includes cells stacked on each other and is housed in the fuel cell case. A pipe is provided at one side of the fuel cell module in the direction in which the cells are stacked. The fuel cell unit is supported on a base via supporting members (mounting insulators), at two points at the side where the pipe is provided or the side closest to a gravity center of the fuel cell unit and at one point in the opposite side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing assembly for at least two fuel cells, comprising: a hollow profile-like body (12) extending in an axial direction (z) and being adapted to laterally encompass at least two fuel cells stacked on one another in axial direction (z), and a fastening mechanism to interconnect the body (12) with at least one end plate (18, 28) adapted to support the at least two fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manifold block for a fuel cell stack, coupled to a fuel cell stack module and having a gas passage and a cooling water passage. The manifold block includes an insulating member and an insulating cover. The insulating member is inserted into the cooling water passage and contacts an inner surface of the cooling water passage. The insulating member has a tube-like shape and electrically insulates the inner surface of the cooling water passage. The insulating cover is inserted into the cooling water passage and contacts an inner surface of the insulating member. The insulating cover fixes and protects the insulating member.

Abstract: A fuel cell including a plurality of tubular unit cells each including: a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer, stacked radially in a direction from a center axis to an outer region thereof; an internal current collector in an interior of the unit cell; and an external current collector arranged at an outer circumferential surface of the unit cell, the external current collector including a plurality of connecting portions configured to electrically connect between the unit cell and at least one another unit cell of the plurality of unit cells, and the connecting portions form two or more electrical paths between a unit cell of the plurality of unit cells and another unit cell of the plurality of unit cells.

Abstract: There is provided an air battery having a power generation body, the power generation body comprising: a laminate in which a negative electrode, a separator, a positive electrode having a catalyst layer and a positive electrode current collector, and an oxygen diffusion membrane are laminated in this order; and an electrolyte being in contact with the negative electrode, the separator and the positive electrode, wherein one of main surfaces of the oxygen diffusion membrane is arranged facing one of main surfaces of the positive electrode current collector; and at least a part of a peripheral edge part of the oxygen diffusion membrane is in contact with atmospheric air.

Abstract: A composite body includes a substrate containing Cr; and a first composite oxide layer disposed on at least a part of a surface of the substrate, the first composite oxide layer having a spinel type crystal structure, a first largest content and a second largest content among constituent elements excluding oxygen of the first composite oxide layer being Zn and Al in random order. Accordingly, the composite body can suppress diffusion of Cr from the substrate containing Cr to the first composite oxide layer, and has improved long-term reliability. A collector member and a gas tank, each of which is formed of the composite body, can have improved long-term reliability. A fuel cell device having excellent long-term reliability can be obtained using the collector member and the gas tank.