Solid oxide fuel cell generator with removable modular fuel cell stack configurations

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871482

Gillett, James E ^[1]; Dederer, Jeffrey T ^[2]; Zafred, Paolo R ^[3]; Collie, Jeffrey C ^[3]

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1. Greensburg, PA
2. Valencia, PA
3. Pittsburgh, PA

A high temperature solid oxide fuel cell generator produces electrical power from oxidation of hydrocarbon fuel gases such as natural gas, or conditioned fuel gases, such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen, with oxidant gases, such as air or oxygen. This electrochemical reaction occurs in a plurality of electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells bundled and arrayed in a unitary modular fuel cell stack disposed in a compartment in the generator container. The use of a unitary modular fuel cell stack in a generator is similar in concept to that of a removable battery. The fuel cell stack is provided in a pre-assembled self-supporting configuration where the fuel cells are mounted to a common structural base having surrounding side walls defining a chamber. Associated generator equipment may also be mounted to the fuel cell stack configuration to be integral therewith, such as a fuel and oxidant supply and distribution systems, fuel reformation systems, fuel cell support systems, combustion, exhaust and spent fuel recirculation systems, and the like. The pre-assembled self-supporting fuel cell stack arrangement allows for easier assembly, installation, maintenance, better structural support and longer life of the fuel cells contained in the fuel cell stack.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-91MC28055
• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5741605
• OSTI ID: 871482
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

solid
oxide
fuel
cell
generator
removable
modular
stack
configurations
temperature
produces
electrical
power
oxidation
hydrocarbon
gases
natural
gas
conditioned
carbon
monoxide
hydrogen
oxidant
air
oxygen
electrochemical
reaction
occurs
plurality
electrically
connected
cells
bundled
arrayed
unitary
disposed
compartment
container
similar
concept
battery
provided
pre-assembled
self-supporting
configuration
mounted
common
structural
base
surrounding
walls
defining
chamber
associated
equipment
integral
therewith
supply
distribution
systems
reformation
support
combustion
exhaust
spent
recirculation
arrangement
allows
easier
assembly
installation
maintenance
life
contained
walls defining
fuel cell
fuel gases
structural support
oxidant gas
temperature solid
natural gas
hydrocarbon fuel
cell generator
electrical power
fuel gas
cell stack
fuel cells
carbon monoxide
oxide fuel
solid oxide
chemical reaction
spent fuel
electrically connected
reaction occurs
oxidant gases
electrochemical reaction
stack configuration
fuel recirculation
integral therewith
distribution systems
connected solid
cells contained
stack configurations
cell support
generator produces
supporting fuel
cells contain
stack arrangement
reaction occur
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