Abstract: A direct carbon fuel cell DCFC system (5), the system comprising an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell (10) comprising a cathode (30), a solid state first electrolyte (25) and an anode (20), wherein, the system further comprises an anode chamber containing a second electrolyte (125) and a fuel (120). The system, when using molten carbonate as second electrolyte, is preferably purged with CO2 via purge gas inlet (60).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and processes of operating molten carbonate fuel cell systems.

Abstract: A unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC) employs a molten salt electrolyte for negative ion transfer by operating at temperatures above that of aqueous reactants for supporting gas-phase reactants, and the molten salt mitigates the need for reactant based catalysts by serving the dual role of the electrolyte as well as an optional catalyst or catalyst solvent. The molten-salt electrolyte (MSE) hydrogen-halogen unitized regenerative fuel cell is adaptable for microgrid electricity storage applications. Configurations herein employ a molten-salt electrolyte and a closed system of the reactants for cycling between charge and discharge modes. The URFC employs reactants including hydrogen and halogen as the oxidant, which is more reactive and energy efficient than oxygen employed in conventional URFCs, and avoids platinum electrodes by employing a high temperature, gas-phase, system which further reduces reactant crossover issues.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Ni—Al alloy anode for molten carbonate fuel cell made by in-situ sintering the Ni—Al alloy. Further, disclosed is a method for preparing the same comprising steps of preparing a sheet with Ni—Al alloy powders (S1); and installing the sheet in a fuel cell without any heat treatment for sintering the Ni—Al alloy in the sheet and then in-situ sintering the Ni—Al alloy in the sheet during a pretreatment process of the cell with the sheet (S2), wherein a reaction activity of the Ni—Al alloy anode can be maintained, the method is simple and economic, and a mass production of the Ni—Al alloy anode and a scale-up in the method are easy.

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.

Abstract: A metal oxide thin film structure for a solid oxide fuel cell, prepared by a method comprising dispersing a metal oxide nanopowder in a metal oxide salt solution and subsequent coating of the resulting metal oxide powder dispersed sol and the metal oxide salt solution on a porous substrate, has excellent gas impermeability, excellent phase stability, and is devoid of cracks or pinholes.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.

Abstract: A system and a method for suppressing the build up of metal carbonates in the electrolyte, using a porous cell separator is used to allow the use of different electrolyte compositions around the anode (anolyte) and the cathode (catholyte). This cell configuration enables the oxygen cathode to operate in a molten hydroxide electrolyte, and the carbon anode to operate in mixed carbonate-hydroxide melt, so that most of the advantages of using a molten hydroxide electrolyte will be retained.

Abstract: Coal is reacted in a furnace 22 to obtain a coal gasification gas. The coal gasification gas is cooled by a gas cooler 23, passed through a porous filter 24, and desulfurized by a desulfurizer 25 to produce a CO-containing gas as an anode. The CO gas-containing gas is subjected to an exothermic reaction in a shift reactor 26 to form H2 and CO2, and the anode gas containing H2 is supplied to an anode 7 of MCFC 2. Thus, in the absence of an extra heat source and a heat exchange source, a desired anode gas is obtained from the coal gasification gas, and with heat buildup of the MCFC 2 being inhibited and its performance being maintained, reduction of CO2 is taken into consideration. A power generating plant equipped with the MCFC 2 capable of using a coal gasification fuel substantially containing a CO gas is thus achieved.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode containing an active material, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, the negative electrode including a current collector and a negative electrode active material supported by the current collector, the negative electrode active material having a Li insertion potential not lower than 0.2V (vs. Li/Li+) and an average primary particle diameter not larger than 1 ?m, and a specific surface area of the negative electrode, excluding a weight of the current collector, as determined by the BET method falls within a range of 3 to 50 m2/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte-impregnated, reinforced matrix for molten carbonate fuel cells and a manufacturing method thereof. According to the invention, the electrolyte-impregnated matrix, which comprises both the electrolyte and the reinforcing particles including a metal and an oxide, is manufactured by adding the electrolyte, as required per unit cell of a fuel cell, and the reinforcing particles including the metal and the oxide, to a slurry during the matrix preparation step, and subjecting the resulting slurry to a tape casting process. By doing so, the matrix stacking operation is facilitated, and the matrix manufacturing process is simplified. In addition, cracking caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between an electrolyte sheet and the matrix can be suppressed, and thermal shock occurring during operation of the fuel cell stack can be reduced, thus improving the performance and lifetime of the fuel cell.

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.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an electrode comprised of a first layer which comprises a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophobic material; and a second layer which comprises a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophilic material arranged on the first layer. In a further aspect, the present invention refers to an electrode comprised of a single layer which comprises a mixture of a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophobic material and a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophilic material; or a single layer comprised of a porous nanostructured material wherein the porous nanostructured material comprises metallic nanostructures which are bound to the surface of the porous nanostructured material. The present invention further refers to the manufacture of these electrodes and their use in metal-air batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells.

Abstract: Fuel cells having cathode elements that are oriented such that dispersion of injected fuel through the fuel cell is caused at least in part by buoyancy force are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the fuel cell includes a composite cathode element that is oriented such that dispersion of injected fuel through the fuel cell is caused at least in part by buoyancy force. For example, the composite cathode element and may be vertically oriented such that it is substantially parallel to the line of buoyancy. The composite cathode element further comprises, a porous matrix holding electrolyte, a cathode, and/or a cathode current collector. One embodiment of the fuel cell further includes, an anode chamber coupled to the composite cathode element. During operation, fuel injected into the fuel cell is oxidized in the anode chamber by oxidizer ions generated at the composite cathode element and transported to the anode chamber via the electrolyte in the porous matrix.

Abstract: A method for inerting and protecting the anodes of fuel cells, especially high-temperature fuel cells, and a fuel cell system, in which, during a shutdown, when the supply of fuel gas to the anodes is interrupted, during emergency shutdown or standby operation, water vapor is supplied to the anodes, and an external voltage is applied to the fuel cells to produce a reducing atmosphere at the anodes by electrolysis. This makes it possible to inert the anodes of the fuel cells without having to maintain a supply of a flushing or protective gas expressly for this purpose.

Abstract: Noble metal catalysts and methods for producing the catalysts are provided. The catalysts are useful in applications such as fuel cells. The catalysts exhibit reduced agglomeration of catalyst particles as compared to conventional noble metal catalysts.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit, the fuel cells of which include an anode side and a cathode side and an electrolyte therebetween and in which fuel cell apparatus there is at least a fuel inlet into the anode side and an oxygen-containing gas inlet into the cathode side as well as a de-sulphuring unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combusting the exhaust gases of the anode and/or cathode sides. According to the invention, a separate fuel channel has been arranged for the afterburner for introducing fuel to the afterburner at least during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a portion of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus from the afterburner for heating at least the de-sulphuring unit and/or the fuel modifying unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cathode and an anode, one or both of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst comprising a bundle of longitudinally aligned graphitic carbon nanotubes including a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally and atomically distributed throughout the graphitic carbon walls of said nanotubes. The nanotubes also include nitrogen atoms and/or ions chemically bonded to the graphitic carbon and to the transition metal. Preferably, the transition metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr.

Abstract: A natural gas fueled, direct carbon fuel cell produces electricity and hydrogen. It adds to an existing direct carbon fuel cell a carbon dioxide injection port to the cathode compartment; a natural gas feed port to the anode compartment, a hydrogen extraction port from the anode compartment, and a carbon dioxide extraction port from the anode compartment. To improve hydrogen generation efficiency, the anode compartment may have a louvered baffle dividing the anode compartment into an ante-chamber and a main chamber. The louvered baffle preferably has an upper section with slats angled from bottom to top and a lower section with slats angled from top to bottom. A heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat natural gas feed from hot hydrogen effluent. A second heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat oxygen-containing gas with hot nitrogen and carbon dioxide effluents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for a molten carbonate fuel cell, with an electrochemically active electrode layer (10, 20), which is provided with cavities (12, 22). The invention provides that the cavities (12, 22) are surrounded and delimited by particles (13, 23) resulting from at least one imaging material. The present invention also relates to a process for producing such an electrode.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell power generation system's entire output is made up of three streams: water, sequestered carbon dioxide provided into a storage tank, and carbon dioxide depleted air. Thus, the system generates electricity from a hydrocarbon fuel, while outputting substantially no pollutants into the atmosphere and cleaning the air by removing carbon dioxide from the air exhaust stream. Thus, the system outputs cleaner air than it takes in without releasing pollutants into the atmosphere, while generating electricity from a readily available hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas.

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.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes placing an electrical load to draw current from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes generating electricity by at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes thermal control the electrical energy storage device by transferring heat to a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or at least one components.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical electrochemical energy generation device or an electrochemical energy generation device. The method includes providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes coupling at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. The method includes forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components. At least one microchannel is at least partially formed of a high thermal conductivity material. The high thermal conductivity material has a high k-value, the high k-value is greater than approximately 410 W/(m*K). The method further includes providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes altering temperature. The method includes providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes coupling at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or at least one internal components. Further still, the method includes providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels. The thermal sink is configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannels. Yet further still, the method includes flowing a fluid through the microchannels and the thermal sink.

Abstract: A method for forming a reinforced rigid anode monolith and fuel and product of such method.

Abstract: An assembly having fuel cell plate structure adapted for use in a fuel cell in which gas flow channels are arranged to carry process gas adjacent the active and wet seal areas of the fuel cell, the plate structure having one or more baffles arranged such that when the plate structure is in the fuel cell the baffles of the plate structure cause the process gas flowing adjacent the wet seal areas to be directed away from the wet seal areas and toward the active areas of the cell.

Abstract: In an opto-magnetic recording medium having on a substrate at least a recording layer consisting of an amorphous magnetic material, there is provided between the substrate and the recording layer an undercoated layer comprising a silicon oxide film, a metal film and a nitride film laminated in succession from the substrate side.