Molten carbonate fuel cell reduction of nickel deposits

Patent · Tue Feb 17 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6723266

Smith, J L; Zwick, S A

A fuel cell is described comprising a porous anode, a transition metal-based porous cathode separated from the anode, means for directing a hydrogen-affording fuel gas to the anode and an oxidant including oxygen gas to the cathode, and an electrolyte component between the anode and cathode including an alkali metal carbonate as an electrolyte, a first gas-impervious tile member adjacent the anode and a second gas-permeable tile member adjacent the cathode. Both tile members have small pores containing the carbonate electrolyte with the second tile member having an interior and including interconnecting larger pores extending into the interior. The larger pores are arranged for receiving oxygen gas and provide an oxidizing environment within the second tile. The second tile member has an ionic resistance per unit thickness greater than that of the first tile member.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4643955
• OSTI ID: 6723266
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ANODES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CATHODES
CONTROL
DIMENSIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FUEL CELLS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN
METALS
MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
NICKEL
NONMETALS
OXIDIZERS
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POROSITY
SCALE CONTROL
THICKNESS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS