US4702973A
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Dual compartment anode structure
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
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Filing: 1986-08-25
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Granted: 1987-10-27
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Expires: 2006-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A dual compartment anode structure for use in molten carbonates fuel cells having an electrolyte porous metallic plate structure with one face adapted to contact the electrolyte and an opposite face having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom, a hydrogen ion and molecular hydrogen and electrolyte non-porous metallic foil having one face in contact with the ends of the ribs to define an anode reaction gas compartment therebetween, and a corrugated metallic current collector having a plurality of peaks with one face at the peaks in contact with the opposite face of the metallic foil defining an anode fuel gas compartment therebetween. The dual compartment anode structure of this invention provides separation between the electrolyte and the fuel thereby permitting internal cell reforming of hydrocarbon containing fuels without poisoning of the reforming catalyst and provides greater cell stability due to reduction in corrosion and reduced electrolyte and electrode loss.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard G. Marianowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/90; H01M4/9041; H01M4/8605; H01M4/8626; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/0625; H01M8/14; H01M8/141; H01M8/142; H01M2004/8678; H01M2004/8684; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; H01M4/8647; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A dual compartment anode structure for use in a molten carbonates fuel cell, said anode comprising: an electrolyte porous metallic plate structure having one face adapted to contact said electrolyte and an opposite face having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom; a hydrogen ion porous and molecular hydrogen and electrolyte non-porous metallic foil having one face in contact with the ends of said ribs, said opposite face and ribs of said porous metallic plate structure and said one face of said metallic foil defining an anode reaction gas compartment; and a corrugated metallic current collector having a plurality of peaks and having one face at said peaks in contact with the opposite face of said metallic foil, said one face of said corrugated metal current collector and said opposite face of said metallic foil defining an anode fuel gas compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A dual compartment anode structure for use in a molten carbonates fuel cell, said anode comprising: an electrolyte porous metallic plate structure having one face adapted to contact said electrolyte and an opposite face having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom; a hydrogen ion porous and molecular hydrogen and electrolyte non-porous metallic foil having one face in contact with the ends of said ribs, said opposite face and ribs of said porous metallic plate structure and said one face of said metallic foil defining an anode reaction gas compartment; and a corrugated metallic current collector having a plurality of peaks and having one face at said peaks in contact with the opposite face of said metallic foil, said one face of said corrugated metal current collector and said opposite face of said metallic foil defining an anode fuel gas compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dual compartment anode structure according to claim 1 wherein said metallic foil is about 0.0001 to about 0.001 inch thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dual compartment anode structure according to claim 1 wherein said metallic foil is thinner than about 0.0005 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dual compartment anode structure according to claim 1 wherein said metallic foil is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dual compartment anode structure according to claim 1 wherein a hydrocarbon reforming catalyst is maintained in said anode fuel gas compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A dual compartment anode structure according to claim 1 wherein said anode reaction gas compartment additionally comprises conduit means in communication with a cathode oxidant compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A dual compartment anode structure according to claim 1 wherein said peaks of said corrugated metallic current collector are in contact with said metallic foil opposite said ends of said ribs contacting said metallic foil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dual compartment anode structure according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of said anode reaction gas compartments and said anode fuel gas compartments are each in side-by-side relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an anode in association with a fuel compartment, a cathode in association with an oxidant compartment, and alkali metal carbonate electrolyte therebetween, the improvement of an anode comprising: an electrolyte porous metallic plate structure having one face adapted to contact said electrolyte and an opposite face having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom; a hydrogen ion porous and molecular hydrogen and electrolyte non-porous metallic foil having one face in contact with the ends of said ribs, said opposite face and ribs of said porous metallic plate structure and said one face of said metallic foil defining an anode reaction gas compartment; and a corrugated metallic current collector having a plurality of peaks and having one face at said peaks in contact with the opposite face of said metallic foil, said one face of said corrugated metal current collector and said opposite face of said metallic foil defining an anode fuel gas compartment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an anode in association with a fuel compartment, a cathode in association with an oxidant compartment, and alkali metal carbonate electrolyte therebetween, the improvement of an anode comprising: an electrolyte porous metallic plate structure having one face adapted to contact said electrolyte and an opposite face having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom; a hydrogen ion porous and molecular hydrogen and electrolyte non-porous metallic foil having one face in contact with the ends of said ribs, said opposite face and ribs of said porous metallic plate structure and said one face of said metallic foil defining an anode reaction gas compartment; and a corrugated metallic current collector having a plurality of peaks and having one face at said peaks in contact with the opposite face of said metallic foil, said one face of said corrugated metal current collector and said opposite face of said metallic foil defining an anode fuel gas compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 9 wherein said metallic foil is about 0.0001 to about 0.001 inch thick.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 9 wherein said metallic foil is thinner than about 0.0005 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 9 wherein said metallic foil is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 9 wherein a hydrocarbon reforming catalyst is maintained in said anode fuel gas compartment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 9 wherein said anode reaction gas compartment additionally comprises conduit means in communication with a cathode oxidant compartment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 9 wherein said peaks of said corrugated metallic current collector are in contact with said metallic foil opposite said ends of said ribs contacting said metallic foil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of said anode reaction gas compartments and said anode fuel gas compartments are each in side-by-side relationship.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 16 wherein a plurality of said cells are stacked one upon the other, said current collector having the peaks of its opposite face in contact with the face of said cathode opposite said electrolyte, said current collector opposite face and said face of said cathode defining a plurality of said oxidant compartments.
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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) | 1990-10-26 | 1991-04-27 | 1991-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-04-27 | 1995-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-26 | 1999-04-27 | 1999-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |