With Molten Electrolyte Patents (Class 429/464)
  • Patent number: 11888187
    Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated to provide enhanced CO2 utilization. This can increase the effective amount of carbonate ion transport that is achieved. The enhanced CO2 utilization is enabled in part by operating an MCFC under conditions that cause transport of alternative ions across the electrolyte. The amount of alternative ion transport that occurs during enhanced CO2 utilization can be mitigated by using a more acidic electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdelkader Hilmi, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Jonathan Rosen, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, Carl A. Willman, Chao-Yi Yuh, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh, Timothy C. Geary
  • Patent number: 11728502
    Abstract: A method for replenishing an electrolyte of a molten carbonate fuel cell stack includes: preparing an electrolyte colloidal solution containing 10% to 20% of the electrolyte and having a viscosity of 200 to 800 Pa·s; replenishing the electrolyte of the cell stack using the electrolyte colloidal solution prepared in step 1 to allow the electrolyte to adhere to an electrode and an internal channel of the cell stack; discharging excess electrolyte colloidal solution in the cell stack; and drying and discharging water or an organic solvent in the cell stack under an inert gas condition to complete replenishment of the electrolyte of the cell stack, and performing a discharge performance test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HUANENG CLEAN ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jian Cheng, Ruiyun Zhang, Chengzhuang Lu, Hao Li, Shisen Xu, Baomin Wang, Guanjun Yang
  • Patent number: 9236640
    Abstract: In an F-type electrochemical cell 20, in a casing 21, a positive electrode 23 in which carbon dioxide gas is used as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode 25 are placed so as to face each other with a separator 27 therebetween, and an electrolyte solution 28 is injected between the positive electrode 23 and the negative electrode 25. A tank 30 storing carbon dioxide gas is connected to the positive electrode 23, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the positive electrode 23 through a holding member 29. By supplying carbon dioxide gas to the positive electrode in such a manner, the cell can be operated as a battery. Furthermore, when used a primary battery, carbon dioxide can be immobilized in the battery, which is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Kensuke Takechi, Tohru Shiga
  • Publication number: 20150093676
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for incorporating molten carbonate fuel cells into a heat recovery steam generation system (HRSG) for production of electrical power while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 present in the flue gas exiting the HRSG. An optionally multi-layer screen or wall of molten carbonate fuel cells can be inserted into the HRSG so that the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells substantially fills the cross-sectional area. By using the walls of the HRSG and the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode input manifold, the overall amount of duct or flow passages associated with the MCFCs can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank H. Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 8911915
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, which is formed of an inexpensive hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane to ensure mechanical and thermochemical stability. The present invention provides a hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, the hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane including at least one composite electrolyte membrane layer having a structure in which graphene nanostructures are impregnated into a hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hoon Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 8846264
    Abstract: A cell unit of a fuel cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly, a first metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a second metal separator. Resin frame members are provided at the outer ends of the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. Coolant connection channels including a plurality of grooves is formed in each of the resin frame members. The grooves of the coolant connection channels of the cell unit and grooves of coolant connection channels of a cell unit that is adjacent to the cell unit in the stacking direction are offset from each other, and are not overlapped with each other in the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ishida, Shuhei Goto, Narutoshi Sugita, Tetsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8785342
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst carrier having excellent durability and capable of attaining high catalytic ability without increasing the specific surface area thereof, and a catalyst obtainable by using the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier of the present invention comprises a metal oxycarbonitride, preferably the metal contained in the metal oxycarbonitride comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of niobium, tin, indium, platinum, tantalum, zirconium, copper, iron, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, hafnium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, manganese, cerium, mercury, plutonium, gold, silver, iridium, palladium, yttrium, ruthenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and nickel. Moreover, the catalyst of the present invention comprises the catalyst carrier and a catalyst metal supported on the catalyst carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Ryuji Monden, Tadatoshi Kurozumi, Toshikazu Shishikura
  • Patent number: 8497047
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack obtainable by a process comprising the use of a glass sealant with composition 50-70 wt % SiO2, 0-20 wt % Al2O3, 10-50 wt % CaO, 0-10 wt % MgO, 0-6 wt % (Na2O+K2O), 0-10 wt % B2O3, and 0-5 wt % of functional elements selected from TiO2, ZrO2, F, P2O5, MoO3, Fe2O3, MnO2, La. Sr—Mn—O perovskite (LSM) and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Gutzon Larsen, Christian Olsen, Marie Drejer Jensen
  • Patent number: 8415039
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one electrochemical flow cell in which the electrochemical flow cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reaction zone between the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes an electrolyte storage reservoir configured to hold a molten salt electrolyte and a gas generated during charging of the at least one electrochemical flow cell and at least one conduit configured to supply the molten salt electrolyte and the gas from the storage reservoir to the at least one electrochemical flow cell. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one pump configured to pump the molten salt electrolyte from the storage reservoir to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Jose la O', Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8383283
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte matrix having a cathode side with a cathode disposed thereon and an anode side with an anode receiving portion and a sealing portion positioned peripherally to the anode receiving portion. The anode receiving portion has an anode disposed thereon. A fuel conduit has one or more one sealing platforms and having an opening extending through the fuel conduit. The anode is positioned in the opening. The fuel cell includes one or more devices for preventing the occurrence an electrical short circuit between the cathode and the sealing platform. The device for preventing the electrical short circuit is aligned with the sealing portion and sealing platform and is positioned on the electrolyte matrix, the cathode and/or the sealing platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao-yi Yun, Mohammad Farooque, Abdelkader Hilmi, Richard Johnsen, Gengfu Xu
  • Patent number: 8283078
    Abstract: A system for preparing particulate carbon fuel and using the particulate carbon fuel in a fuel cell. Carbon particles are finely divided. The finely dividing carbon particles are introduced into the fuel cell. A gas containing oxygen is introduced into the fuel cell. The finely divided carbon particles are exposed to carbonate salts, or to molten NaOH or KOH or LiOH or mixtures of NaOH or KOH or LiOH, or to mixed hydroxides, or to alkali and alkaline earth nitrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Cooper, Nerine Cherepy
  • Patent number: 8163198
    Abstract: A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide having a large volume capacity density, high safety, excellent durability for charge/discharge cycles, and excellent low temperature characteristics. An oxide of general formula LipNxMyOzFa (wherein N is at least one of Co, Mn or Ni, M is at least one of Al, an alkali earth metal element, a transition metal element other than N, 0.9?p?1.2, 0.97?x?1.00, 0?y?0.03, 1.9?z?2.2, x+y=1 and 0?a?0.02) can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: AGC Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoshi Saito, Takeshi Kawasato, Tokumitsu Kato, Kazushige Horichi
  • Patent number: 8062779
    Abstract: A method of making an anode element for use in a fuel cell, comprising providing a first amount of Ni—Al alloy material having a predetermined aluminum content, providing a second amount of Ni—Cr alloy material having a predetermined chromium content, providing at least one additive component, mixing the Ni—Al alloy material, the Ni—Cr alloy material and the at least one additive component to produce a slurry and forming the slurry into the anode element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdelkader Hilmi, Chao-Yi Yuh, Mohammad Farooque
  • Patent number: 7989120
    Abstract: Provided is a high-temperature fuel cell separator. The fuel cell separator includes a fuel gas flow path containing hydrogen, an oxidant gas flow path containing mainly an oxygen component being supplied from an oxygen/nitrogen separator of a system and participating in electrochemical reactions, and a cooling gas flow path containing a nitrogen component to remove heat produced upon power generation of a fuel cell. Such a configuration provides a high-temperature fuel cell separator which is capable of improving efficiency of an overall fuel cell system through improved performance of a fuel cell stack due to increased oxygen partial pressure and which is also capable of improving reliability of the fuel cell stack through inhibition of the occurrence of a high-temperature region resulting from heat produced upon power generation of a fuel cell, by means of a flow of cooling gas containing a nitrogen component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Do Hyung Kim, Beom Joo Kim, Jung Hyun Lee, Seung Won Kang, Hee Chun Lim, Byung Soo Jung
  • Publication number: 20110151349
    Abstract: A double-electrolyte fuel-cell is presented for generating electrical energy from chemical fuel. The fuel-cell includes an anode, a cathode as well as both an anion-conducting electrolyte and a cation-conducting electrolyte. A fuel-cell stack is also presented consisting of a plurality of double-electrolyte fuel-cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: TECHNION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD.
    Inventor: Yoed Tsur
  • Patent number: 7897290
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for determining the operating parameters of individual cells (2) or short stacks (10) of fuel cells, preferably of medium-temperature or high-temperature fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Thanner, Martin Schüssler
  • Patent number: 7855028
    Abstract: Disclosed is a separator plate for a molten carbonate fuel cell, which functions to reform a fuel gas while allowing it to efficiently flow therein and thereout, thus producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which are then supplied into an anode, and which functions to realize the electrical connection between the anode and the cathode. In the center plate, having a central portion and peripheral portions of the separator plate, the central portion has gas flow paths, that is, guide protrusions and guide grooves, and the peripheral portions are formed into sidewall parts through a folding process, and thus the number of constituents of the separator plate is minimized, thereby reducing the area to be welded. Further, the sidewall parts are integrally structured with the center plate, thereby increasing airtightness and solving problems of corrosion which may be caused in the welded area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Hyun Ryu, Boo-Ho Yoon, Dong-Woo Kang, Kil-Ho Moon, In-Gab Chang, Gi-Pung Lee, Yun-Sung Kim