Solid oxide fuel cell operable over wide temperature range

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873628

Baozhen, Li ^[1]; Ruka, Roswell J ^[2]; Singhal, Subhash C ^[3]

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1. Essex Junction, VT
2. Pittsburgh, PA
3. Murrysville, PA

Solid oxide fuel cells having improved low-temperature operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interfacial layer of terbia-stabilized zirconia is located between the air electrode and electrolyte of the solid oxide fuel cell. The interfacial layer provides a barrier which controls interaction between the air electrode and electrolyte. The interfacial layer also reduces polarization loss through the reduction of the air electrode/electrolyte interfacial electrical resistance. In another embodiment, the solid oxide fuel cell comprises a scandia-stabilized zirconia electrolyte having high electrical conductivity. The scandia-stabilized zirconia electrolyte may be provided as a very thin layer in order to reduce resistance. The scandia-stabilized electrolyte is preferably used in combination with the terbia-stabilized interfacial layer. The solid oxide fuel cells are operable over wider temperature ranges and wider temperature gradients in comparison with conventional fuel cells.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Pittsburgh, PA)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-91MC28055
• Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation (Orlando, FL)
• Patent Number(s): US 6207311
• OSTI ID: 873628
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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/429/427/
air
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barrier
cell
cell comprises
cell operable
cells
combination
comparison
comprises
conductivity
controls
conventional
conventional fuel
disclosed
electrical
electrical conductivity
electrical resistance
electrode
electrolyte
embodiment
fuel
fuel cell
fuel cells
gradients
improved
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interaction
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operable
operation
oxide
oxide fuel
polarization
preferably
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reduce
reduces
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resistance
scandia-stabilized
solid
solid oxide
stabilized zirconia
temperature
temperature gradient
temperature gradients
temperature operation
temperature range
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terbia-stabilized
terbia-stabilized zirconia
wide
wide temperature
wider
zirconia
zirconia electrolyte