OXYGEN ISOLATION AND COLLECTION FOR ANODE PROTECTION IN A SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELL STACK

OXYGEN ISOLATION AND COLLECTION FOR ANODE PROTECTION IN A SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELL STACK

In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and fa...

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Hauptverfasser: TACHTLER, JOACHIM, EDLINGER, BERNHARD, FAVILLE, MICHAEL, THOMAS, HALTINER, KARL, JACOB, JR, MUKERJEE, SUBHASISH, KELLY, SEAN, MICHAEL, ENGLAND, DIANE, M
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng ; fre ; ger
Schlagworte:
BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
ELECTRICITY
PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
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Zusammenfassung:In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, check valves and oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-scavenging material such as metallic nickel are provided in the reformate passageways leading to and from the anodes. The check valves preferably are closed by gravity. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by reformate when the assembly is restarted.