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Title: Catalytic bipolar interconnection plate for use in a fuel cell

Patent ·
OSTI ID:203882

A bipolar interconnection plate is described for use between adjacent fuel cell units in a stacked fuel cell assembly. Each plate is manufactured from an intermetallic composition, examples of which include NiAl or Ni{sub 3}Al which can catalyze steam reforming of hydrocarbons. Distributed within the intermetallic structure of the plate is a ceramic filler composition. The plate includes a first side with gas flow channels therein and a second side with fuel flow channels therein. A protective coating is applied to the first side, with exemplary coatings including strontium-doped or calcium-doped lanthanum chromite. To produce the plate, Ni and Al powders are combined with the filler composition, compressed at a pressure of about 10,000--30,000 psi, and heated to about 600--1000 C. The coating is then applied to the first side of the completed plate using liquid injection plasma deposition or other deposition techniques. 6 figs.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); EG&G Idaho, Inc
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-76ID01570; AC07-94ID13223
Assignee:
Lockheed Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,496,655/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-322,660
OSTI ID:
203882
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 5 Mar 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English