US3847672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel cell with gas separator
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-18
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1991-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell system comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte in combination with a gas separator is described. The gas separator comprises a tile or block of salt in molten or solid state having opposed reactive surfaces. The salt is a mixture of MxO+MxCO3 where M is an element such as an alkali or alkaline earth metal. A gas stream containing a fuel gas (hydrogen) and CO2 is fed to one surface of the salt tile or block at which surface the carbon dioxide is chemically taken up by the salt. A sweep or stripping gas is maintained at the downstream surface of the salt tile or block at which surface carbon dioxide is released, and carried away by the sweep gas, for subsequent cycling to the cathode of the cell if desired to reduce concentration polarization of the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 J Trocciola
- 👤 M Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/14; H01M8/141; H01M8/142; H01M8/06; H01M8/0662; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FUEL INCLUDING AN ANODE, A CATHODE AND AN ELECTROLYTE CONSTUCTED AND ARRANGED IN OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION WITH A GASEOUS CARBON DIOXIDE SEPARATOR INCLUDING A SALT COMPRISING AN ADMIXTURE OF AN ALKALI OR ALKALINE EARTH OXIDE AND AN ALKALI OR ALKALINE EARTH CARBONATE HAVING TWO OPPOSED SURFACES, MEANS FOR BRINING A REFORM GAS IN CONTACT WITH ONE OPPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SALT TILE, MEANS FOR BRINGING A SWEEP GAS IN CONGACT WITH THE SECOND OPPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SALT TILE, AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING SAID REFORM GAS AFTER CONTACTING SAID ONE OPPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SALT TILE OF SAID ANODE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FUEL INCLUDING AN ANODE, A CATHODE AND AN ELECTROLYTE CONSTUCTED AND ARRANGED IN OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION WITH A GASEOUS CARBON DIOXIDE SEPARATOR INCLUDING A SALT COMPRISING AN ADMIXTURE OF AN ALKALI OR ALKALINE EARTH OXIDE AND AN ALKALI OR ALKALINE EARTH CARBONATE HAVING TWO OPPOSED SURFACES, MEANS FOR BRINING A REFORM GAS IN CONTACT WITH ONE OPPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SALT TILE, MEANS FOR BRINGING A SWEEP GAS IN CONGACT WITH THE SECOND OPPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SALT TILE, AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING SAID REFORM GAS AFTER CONTACTING SAID ONE OPPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SALT TILE OF SAID ANODE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A fuel cell comprising in combination a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, an electrolyte separating said electrodes, a substantially gas-impermeable, unitary salt tile comprising an admixture of alkali or alkaline earth oxide and an alkali or alkaline earth carbonate having two opposed surfaces spaced from said fuel electrode and forming a first gas chamber therewith, a gas passage at the second opposed surface of said salt tile, means for feeding an oxidant to said oxidant electrode, means for feeding a reform gas into said first chamber and means for feeding a sweep gas into said second chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A fuel cell comprising in combination a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, an electrolyte separating said electrodes, a substantially gas-impermeable, unitary salt tile comprising an admixture of alkali or alkaline earth oxide and an alkali or alkaline earth carbonate having two opposed surfaces spaced from said fuel electrode and forming a first gas chamber therewith, a gas passage at the second opposed surface of said salt tile, means for feeding an oxidant to said oxidant electrode, means for feeding a reform gas into said first chamber and means for feeding a sweep gas into said second chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel cell system according to claim 2 wherein the electolyte separating said electrodes is a molten carbonate electrolyte and said system including means for cycling a gas from said second chamber to said means for feeding an oxidant to said oxidant electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell system of claim 2 wherein the salt tile is an admixture of CaO and CaCO3.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel cell system of claim 2 wherein the salt tile is an admixture of SrO and Sr CO3.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell system of claim 2 wherein the salt tile is an admixture of BaO and BaCO3.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell system of claim 2 wherein the salt tile is an admixture of LiO and Li2CO3.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell system of claim 2 wherein the salt tile is an admixture of LiO and CaCO3.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel cell system of claim 2 wherein the salt tile is an admixture of LiO, CaO, LiCO3, and CaCO3.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |