Phosphoric and electric utility fuel cell technology development. Technical progress report No. 18, October 1984

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6223932

Breault, R D; Briggs, T A; Congdon, J V; Gelting, R L; Goller, G J; Luoma, W L; McCloskey, M W; Mientek, A P; O'Brien, J J; Randall, S A

The Department of Energy has initiated this program to advance electric utility cell stack technology and to reduce cell stack cost. The cell stack has a nominal 10-ft/sup 2/ active area and operates at 120 psia/405/sup 0/F. The program comprises six parallel phases, which culminate in a full-height, 10-ft/sup 2/ stack verification test. Progress is reported. Over 1300 hours and nine thermal cycles with performance close to the E-line goal have been accumulated on the second 10-ft/sup 2/ short stack at 120 psia and 405/sup 0/F. A subscale cell cut from 10-ft/sup 2/ electrodes in the same batch used for the second 10-ft/sup 2/ short stack has accumulated over 3500 hours with performance conforming to the E-line goal at 120 psia and 400/sup 0/F. Over 13,500 hours and 38 thermal cycles have been accumulated on the 3.7-ft/sup 2/, 30-cell short stack at 120 psia and 405/sup 0/F. An advanced configuration subscale cell is operating at 47 mV above E-line after 1300 hours at 120 psia, 400/sup 0/F and 400 ASF. The improved edge seal decreased leakage by more than 50% from the conventional edge seal. Cross-pressure tolerance also improved. Continuous automatic operation of the substrate forming machine was demonstrated by producing substrates at a 50% faster rate with high yields and low material loss. Significantly reduced the cooler bonding cycle by using a cold press (for cool down) in conjunction with the hot (bonding) press.

• Research Organization: United Technologies Corp., South Windsor, CT (USA). Power Systems Div.
• DOE Contract Number: AC21-83FE60338
• OSTI ID: 6223932
• Report Number(s): FCR-6827P; ON: DE85006349
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300501* -- Fuel Cells-- Design & Development
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
CATALYSTS
COOLING SYSTEMS
COST
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCATALYSTS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FABRICATION
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
FUEL CELLS
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER PLANTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TESTING
THERMAL CYCLING