US4643955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molten carbonate fuel cell reduction of nickel deposits
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1985-06-27
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2005-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A molten carbonate fuel cell with anode and cathode electrodes and an eleolyte formed with two tile sections, one of the tile sections being adjacent the anode and limiting leakage of fuel gas into the electrolyte with the second tile section being adjacent the cathode and having pores sized to permit the presence of oxygen gas in the electrolyte thereby limiting the formation of metal deposits caused by the reduction of metal compositions migrating into the electrolyte from the cathode.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Smith
- 👤 Stanley A. Zwick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0289; H01M8/0295; H01M8/14; H01M8/141; H01M8/142; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; H01M8/148; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A fuel cell comprising a porous anode, a transition metal-based porous cathode separated from the anode, means for directing a hydrogen-affording fuel gas to the anode and an oxidant including oxygen gas to the cathode, and an electrolyte component between the anode and cathode including an alkali metal carbonate as an electrolyte, a first gas-impervious tile member adjacent the anode and a second gas-permeable tile member adjacent the cathode, both tile members having small pores containing the carbonate electrolyte with the second tile member having an interior and including interconnecting larger pores extending into said interior, the larger pores being arranged for receiving oxygen gas and providing an oxidizing environment within the second tile, the second tile member having an ionic resistance per unit thickness greater than that of the first tile member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A fuel cell comprising a porous anode, a transition metal-based porous cathode separated from the anode, means for directing a hydrogen-affording fuel gas to the anode and an oxidant including oxygen gas to the cathode, and an electrolyte component between the anode and cathode including an alkali metal carbonate as an electrolyte, a first gas-impervious tile member adjacent the anode and a second gas-permeable tile member adjacent the cathode, both tile members having small pores containing the carbonate electrolyte with the second tile member having an interior and including interconnecting larger pores extending into said interior, the larger pores being arranged for receiving oxygen gas and providing an oxidizing environment within the second tile, the second tile member having an ionic resistance per unit thickness greater than that of the first tile member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein the second tile member is of a thickness greater than that of the first tile member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the relative thickness of the second tile member is about 70-90% of the total thickness of the first and second tile members, the small and larger pores being below about 1 micron and being 5-20 microns, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fuel cell of claim 3 wherein the transition metal is nickel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fuel cell of claim 3 wherein the transition metal is manganese.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fuel cell of claim 3 wherein the transition metal is iron.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel cell of claim 4 wherein the electrolyte is composed of a mixture of Li 2 CO 3 and K 2 CO 3 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein the transition metal is nickel and the oxidant is directed to the cathode at an elevated pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel cell of claim 8 wherein the second tile member is of a thickness greater than that of the first tile member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |