US4555453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for forming molten carbonate fuel cell component and structure
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
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Filing: 1981-10-01
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Granted: 1985-11-26
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Expires: 2001-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A molten carbonate fuel cell with oppositely charged porous electrodes and a continuous electrolyte layer therebetween formed of a porous non-electrically conducting binder containing a carbonate salt. The electrolyte layer is formed by suspending the porous binder powder in a dielectric liquid vehicle and contacting it with one of the fuel cell electrodes. An electric field is applied between the electrode and a spaced counter-electrode in the suspension to cause electrophoretic deposition of the powder in a dense binder layer, adhered to and supported by the electrode. The binder layer-one electrode is assembled into a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as by affixing the binder layer side to an oppositely charged electrode plate, and incorporating the combination into a fuel cell.
Inventors
- 👤 A. John Appleby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/90; H01M4/9041; H01M4/88; H01M4/8825; H01M4/8853; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0289; H01M8/0295; H01M8/14; H01M8/141; H01M8/142; H01M2004/8678; H01M2004/8684; H01M2004/8689; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/49115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for the formation of a molten carbonate fuel cell including oppositely charged porous electrodes and a continuous electrolyte layer therebetween formed of a porous non-electrically conducting binder containing a carbonate salt in its pores, comprising the steps of contacting a suspension of porous non-electrically conducting binder powder in a dielectric liquid vehicle with at least one surface of one of said fuel cell electrodes, and, with said binder powder in a charged state, applying an electric field between said one electrode and a spaced counter-electrode in said suspension to cause electrophoretic deposition of said powder in a continuous dense binder layer adhered to and supported by said one electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for the formation of a molten carbonate fuel cell including oppositely charged porous electrodes and a continuous electrolyte layer therebetween formed of a porous non-electrically conducting binder containing a carbonate salt in its pores, comprising the steps of contacting a suspension of porous non-electrically conducting binder powder in a dielectric liquid vehicle with at least one surface of one of said fuel cell electrodes, and, with said binder powder in a charged state, applying an electric field between said one electrode and a spaced counter-electrode in said suspension to cause electrophoretic deposition of said powder in a continuous dense binder layer adhered to and supported by said one electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 in which said binder layer has a thickness which causes it not to be self-supporting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 in which said binder layer is characterized by a density between about 40% and 70% of theoretical density.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 in which said binder layer is characterized by a chalk-like consistency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which a continuous strip of said one electrode is passed through a bath of said suspension in which said electrophoretic deposition occurs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which said binder layer-one electrode is assembled with other components into a molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 in which the binder layer side of said binder layer-one electrode is affixed to a second electrode plate and assembled into a molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 in which insoluble dried electrolyte powder comprising a carbonate salt is included in said suspension and, with said electrolyte powder in a charged state, electrophoretically depositing the same simultaneously with said binder powder onto said one electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 in which carbonate salt electrolyte is placed in contact with said formed binder layer and is heated to melt the carbonate and cause the molten carbonate to impregnate into the pores of said binder layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 in which a molten carbonate salt electrolyte is impregnated into the pores of said binder powder and said impregnated powder is mixed with said vehicle to form said suspension.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 in which said electrode comprises a sintered metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 in which said carbonate salt is selected from the group consisting of lithium-potassium carbonate, sodium-lithium carbonate, and lithium-potassium sodium carbonate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A component for a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising a porous fuel cell electrode and a continuous dense, porous, non-electrically conducting binder layer adhered to and supported by a surface of said electrode, said binder layer being of sufficient porosity to be impregnable with a carbonate salt and of insufficient thickness to be self-supporting.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A component for a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising a porous fuel cell electrode and a continuous dense, porous, non-electrically conducting binder layer adhered to and supported by a surface of said electrode, said binder layer being of sufficient porosity to be impregnable with a carbonate salt and of insufficient thickness to be self-supporting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The component of claim 13 in which said binder layer comprises lithium aluminate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The component of claim 13 in which carbonate salt electrolyte is impregnated in the pores of said binder, forming an electrolyte layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
A molten carbonate fuel cell including the component of claim 15.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4389467A
Cited
US4329403A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-25 | 1989-05-27 | 1989-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-05-27 | 1993-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-25 | 1997-05-27 | 1997-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |