US5316555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Molten carbonate fuel cell electrolyte toughening
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
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Filing: 1992-11-03
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Granted: 1994-05-31
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Expires: 2012-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A porous matrix of lithium aluminate particles for molten alkali metal carbonates electrolytes having about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of the solids, of electrically non-conductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter. Such matrices reduce matrix cracking upon loading with molten carbonates active electrolyte and provide high surface area over long term fuel cell operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Estela T. Ong
- 👤 Kenneth E. Hrdina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0289; H01M8/0295; H01M8/14; 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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A porous matrix for molten alkali metal carbonates electrolytes, said matrix comprising lithium aluminate particulates and about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of solids, of electrically nonconductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A porous matrix for molten alkali metal carbonates electrolytes, said matrix comprising lithium aluminate particulates and about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of solids, of electrically nonconductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A porous matrix according to claim 1 wherein said fibers comprise about 10 to about 30 volume percent of said porous matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A porous matrix according to claim 1 wherein said fibers are about 1 to about 30 microns in diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A porous matrix according to claim 1 wherein said fibers have an average length about 10 to 500 times the average diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A porous matrix according to claim 1 wherein said fibers have an average length about 40 to 100 times the average diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A porous matrix according to claim 1 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of alumina, lithium aluminate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A porous matrix according to claim 1 wherein said fibers are principally alpha alumina.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A porous matrix according to claim 1 wherein said fibers comprise about 10 to about 30 volume percent of said matrix, are about 1 to about 30 microns in diameter and have a length about 10 to about 500 times said diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A porous matrix according to claim 8 wherein said fibers are principally alpha alumina.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for production of a porous matrix for molten alkali metal carbonates electrolytes comprising; forming a slurry of fine lithium aluminate particles and about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of the solids, electrically non-conductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter in a liquid vehicle comprising organic binder, tape casting said slurry, and heating to vaporize said vehicle and decompose and vaporize said binder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for production of a porous matrix for molten alkali metal carbonates electrolytes comprising; forming a slurry of fine lithium aluminate particles and about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of the solids, electrically non-conductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter in a liquid vehicle comprising organic binder, tape casting said slurry, and heating to vaporize said vehicle and decompose and vaporize said binder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein said fibers comprise about 10 to about 30 volume percent of said porous matrix.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein said fibers are about 1 to about 30 microns in diameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein said fibers have an average length about 10 to about 500 times the average diameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein said fibers have an average length about 40 to about 100 times the average diameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of alumina, lithium aluminate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein said fibers comprise about 10 to about 30 volume percent of said matrix, are about 1 to about 30 microns in diameter and have a length about 10 to about 500 times said diameter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for reducing cracking of tape cast electrolyte matrix during loading of said matrix with active molten carbonates electrolyte comprising; incorporating into the slurry for tape casting said matrix about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of the solids, electrically non-conductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for reducing cracking of tape cast electrolyte matrix during loading of said matrix with active molten carbonates electrolyte comprising; incorporating into the slurry for tape casting said matrix about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of the solids, electrically non-conductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process for reducing cracking of tape cast electrolyte matrix according to claim 17 wherein said fibers comprise about 10 to about 30 volume percent of said matrix, are about 1 to about 30 microns in diameter and have a length about 10 to about 500 times said diameter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process for reducing cracking of tape cast electrolyte matrix according to claim 18 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of alumina, lithium aluminate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for preventing decrease in surface area of electrolyte matrix during molten alkali metal carbonates fuel cell operation comprising; incorporating into the slurry for tape casting said matrix about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of the solids, electrically non-conductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for preventing decrease in surface area of electrolyte matrix during molten alkali metal carbonates fuel cell operation comprising; incorporating into the slurry for tape casting said matrix about 5 to about 50 volume percent, based upon the volume of the solids, electrically non-conductive, active electrolyte compatible fibers having an average diameter of about 1 to about 50 microns and having an average length greater than about 5 times the average diameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for preventing decrease in surface area of electrolyte matrix according to claim 20 wherein said fibers comprise about 10 to about 30 volume percent of said matrix, are about 1 to about 30 microns in diameter and have a length about 10 to about 500 times said diameter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process for preventing decrease in surface area of electrolyte matrix according to claim 21 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of alumina, lithium aluminate and mixtures thereof.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |