Molten carbonate fuel cell separator

Patent · Tue Sep 02 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5287569

Nickols, R C

A gaseous fuel cell is described for use in a stacked array of such gaseous cells, the gaseous fuel cell comprising: a first electrode adapted to allow a first gas to flow therethrough and having a first catalyst in contact therewith: a second electrode adapted to allow a second gas to flow therethrough and having a second catalyst in contact therewith; an electrolyte positioned between the first and second electrodes and in contact with the first and second catalysts; a substantially flat, planar plate positioned in contact with a respective catalyst of one of the electrodes and having a plurality of edges around the periphery thereof, the plate comprised of a first material having a high electrical conductivity; a plurality of resilient sealing flanges positioned on and adapted to engage a respective edge of and to extend outward from the plane of the plate, the sealing flanges comprised of a second material having high corrosion resistance, wherein each sealing flange defines a channel and includes first and second facing members defining a slot therebetween within which a respective edge of the plate is inserted; and biasing means positioned within the channels defined by each of the sealing flanges for urging a first facing member towards a second facing member in maintaining each of the sealing flanges in tight fitting engagement with a respective edge of the plate in establishing a gas-impermeable seal therewith.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4609595
• OSTI ID: 5287569
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
CATALYSTS
CORROSION RESISTANCE
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
FLANGES
FLUID FLOW
FUEL CELLS
GAS FLOW
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POSITIONING
SEALS