US20050064265A9 - Gasket material for a fuel cell - Google Patents
Gasket material for a fuel cell Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050064265A9 US20050064265A9 US10/389,452 US38945203A US2005064265A9 US 20050064265 A9 US20050064265 A9 US 20050064265A9 US 38945203 A US38945203 A US 38945203A US 2005064265 A9 US2005064265 A9 US 2005064265A9
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fuel cell
- assembly
- accordance
- cell assembly
- mica
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims description 9
- 239000010445 mica Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229910052618 mica group Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000013023 gasketing Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 2
- WSNJABVSHLCCOX-UHFFFAOYSA-J trilithium;trimagnesium;trisodium;dioxido(oxo)silane;tetrafluoride Chemical compound [Li+].[Li+].[Li+].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O WSNJABVSHLCCOX-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000605059 Bacteroidetes Species 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000112 cooling gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010292 electrical insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007731 hot pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001683 neutron diffraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 oxygen anions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052628 phlogopite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000002285 radioactive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002407 reforming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003566 sealing material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005245 sintering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002834 transmittance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
- H01M8/0208—Alloys
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- F16J15/00—Sealings
- F16J15/02—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces
- F16J15/06—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with solid packing compressed between sealing surfaces
- F16J15/10—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with solid packing compressed between sealing surfaces with non-metallic packing
- F16J15/102—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with solid packing compressed between sealing surfaces with non-metallic packing characterised by material
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
- H01M8/0208—Alloys
- H01M8/021—Alloys based on iron
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
- H01M8/0273—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
- H01M8/0276—Sealing means characterised by their form
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
- H01M8/028—Sealing means characterised by their material
- H01M8/0282—Inorganic material
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
- H01M8/2425—High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2484—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by external manifolds
- H01M8/2485—Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- H01M2008/1293—Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
- H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
- H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/0612—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to fuel cells; more particularly, solid-oxide fuel cell assemblies which operate at elevated temperatures; and most particularly, to gasket material for sealing joints between components of such fuel cell assemblies.
- Fuel cells for combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity are well known.
- a known class of fuel cells includes a solid oxide electrolyte layer through which oxygen anions migrate; such fuel cells are referred to in the art as “solid-oxide” fuel cells (SOFCs).
- SOFCs solid-oxide fuel cells
- an SOFC is preferably fueled by “reformate” gas, which is the effluent from a catalytic gasoline oxidizing reformer.
- Reformate typically includes amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) as fuel in addition to molecular hydrogen.
- CO carbon monoxide
- the reforming operation and the fuel cell operation may be considered as first and second oxidative steps of the liquid hydrocarbon, resulting ultimately in water and carbon dioxide. Both reactions are exothermic, and both are preferably carried out at relatively high temperatures, for example, in the range of 700° C. to 1000° C.
- a complete fuel cell assembly comprises a plurality of components and sub-assemblies joined together mechanically to provide the desired flow paths and control pathways for the liquid hydrocarbon, reactive gases, spent gases, and cooling gases. It is essential that the joints or interfaces between the components and sub-assemblies be durably leak-free at temperatures from below 0° C. to as high as 1000° C., at pressures from subatmospheric to up to several atmospheres. Such conditions place very high demands on materials selected for gaskets at these joints and interfaces.
- sealants It is known to use various glass and ceramic compositions as sealants. However, a drawback is that such sealants, though effective, tend to be quite brittle and are easily fractured in assembly or in use. Further, typically they require high-temperature sintering during manufacture of a fuel cell system, which adds difficulty and cost.
- What is needed is a material for gasketing in an SOFC system which is thermally stable over the range between shutdown and operating temperatures for both the reformer and the fuel cell assembly; which is chemically stable in oxidizing and reducing environments; which is more robust during assembly and during operation of the system; which is compatible with other materials of the system; and which is relatively inexpensive.
- the port interfaces are sealed by gaskets that include fluorophlogopite mica (F-mica).
- F-mica fluorophlogopite mica
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view from above of a fuel cell assembly having gasketing in accordance with the invention.
- gasketing in accordance with the invention may be best illustrated by considering the exemplary gasketing requirements of an integrated SOFC fuel cell assembly.
- fuel cell assembly 10 includes a plurality of sub-assemblies and components assembled together generally by bolts.
- An integrated base manifold 12 comprises a bottom plate 14 , and lower section 16 , an intermediate plate 18 , an upper section 20 , and a top plate 22 .
- the plates 14 , 18 , 22 have patterns of apertures (not visible) formed therein which mate with other patterns of chambers (also not visible) formed in sections 16 , 20 such that manifold 12 is a three-dimensional structure of interwoven flow paths for various gases.
- Patterned sheet gaskets 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 in accordance with the invention are provided between the sections and plates to seal the port interfaces against leakage of gases flowing through the manifold.
- Fuel cell sub-assembly 32 is mounted on manifold 12 , ports (not visible) in the sub-assembly being mateable with ports (not visible) in the manifold to provide reformate from the manifold into the sub-assembly, to exhaust spent reformate from the sub-assembly, and to provide cooling air to and from the assembly.
- a patterned sheet gasket 34 is disposed therebetween to seal the port interfaces against gas leakage.
- Manifold 12 and sub-assembly 32 are bolted together by bolts 36 .
- Fuel cell sub-assembly 32 also contains passage joints (not visible) which are gasketed (not shown) between adjacent plates and fuel cell modules.
- a hydrocarbon fuel reformer 38 is mounted to manifold 12 via bolts 40 , having a patterned sheet gasket (not visible) therebetween.
- a fuel pre-heater and vaporization sub-assembly 42 is attached to reformer 38 for supplying heated and vaporized hydrocarbon fuel to the reformer.
- a patterned sheet gasket 44 is provided therebetween, and sub-assembly 42 is secured to reformer 38 via throughbolts 46 .
- a cover plate 48 for sub-assembly 42 supports a fuel injector 50 for the reformer.
- a patterned sheet gasket 52 is provided under the cover plate.
- Heat exchangers 54 a , 54 b are mounted to manifold 12 via bolts 56 , having a patterned sheet gasket 58 therebetween.
- Air inlet fittings 60 a , 60 b , 62 are received, as for example by a threaded connection, into bores in manifold 12 , the threads 64 preferably being sealed with gasket material.
- the various patterned sheet gaskets and the thread-sealing material include, and preferably are formed from, fluorophlogopite mica (F-mica).
- F-mica a synthetic fluorine mica believed to have the formula KMg 3 (AlSi 3 O 10 )F 2 contains no (OH) ⁇ of natural phlogopite KMg 3 (AlSi 3 O 10 )(OH) 2 .
- the (OH) ⁇ is fully substituted with F ⁇ .
- the fluorine mica has the following unique characteristics which are much superior to those of natural mica: high chemical stability, excellent transmittance, outgassing-free at high temperature in vacuum, excellent electrical insulation, high heat endurance (up to 1100° C.), non-radioactive background, and highly flexible and cleavable.
- F-mica sheets may be made by the processes of, as for example, screening, paper making, inorganic binder impregnating and hot pressing etc. F-mica sheets are known in the prior art for a variety of uses, such as substrates of thin film, windows and monochromater for x-ray, neutron diffraction, microwave and optics, spacers of electrical vacuum devices, scanning electron microscopes, and water gauges of high pressure boilers, which uses are important in industry and science.
- F-mica has not heretofore been used for gasketing in high-temperature fuel cells, as disclosed herein.
- Both sheet and tape forms of F-mica are commercially available from, for example, G.B. Group, Inc., New York, N.Y., USA, in thicknesses from 0.05 mm to 5 mm.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to fuel cells; more particularly, solid-oxide fuel cell assemblies which operate at elevated temperatures; and most particularly, to gasket material for sealing joints between components of such fuel cell assemblies.
- Fuel cells for combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity are well known. A known class of fuel cells includes a solid oxide electrolyte layer through which oxygen anions migrate; such fuel cells are referred to in the art as “solid-oxide” fuel cells (SOFCs).
- In some applications, for example, as an auxiliary power unit (APU) for an automotive vehicle, an SOFC is preferably fueled by “reformate” gas, which is the effluent from a catalytic gasoline oxidizing reformer. Reformate typically includes amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) as fuel in addition to molecular hydrogen. The reforming operation and the fuel cell operation may be considered as first and second oxidative steps of the liquid hydrocarbon, resulting ultimately in water and carbon dioxide. Both reactions are exothermic, and both are preferably carried out at relatively high temperatures, for example, in the range of 700° C. to 1000° C.
- A complete fuel cell assembly comprises a plurality of components and sub-assemblies joined together mechanically to provide the desired flow paths and control pathways for the liquid hydrocarbon, reactive gases, spent gases, and cooling gases. It is essential that the joints or interfaces between the components and sub-assemblies be durably leak-free at temperatures from below 0° C. to as high as 1000° C., at pressures from subatmospheric to up to several atmospheres. Such conditions place very high demands on materials selected for gaskets at these joints and interfaces.
- It is known to use various glass and ceramic compositions as sealants. However, a drawback is that such sealants, though effective, tend to be quite brittle and are easily fractured in assembly or in use. Further, typically they require high-temperature sintering during manufacture of a fuel cell system, which adds difficulty and cost.
- What is needed is a material for gasketing in an SOFC system which is thermally stable over the range between shutdown and operating temperatures for both the reformer and the fuel cell assembly; which is chemically stable in oxidizing and reducing environments; which is more robust during assembly and during operation of the system; which is compatible with other materials of the system; and which is relatively inexpensive.
- It is a principle object of the present invention to provide an improved material for gasketing joints and seals in a fuel cell assembly.
- Briefly described, in a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of components having mating ports therebetween, the port interfaces are sealed by gaskets that include fluorophlogopite mica (F-mica).
- These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is an isometric view from above of a fuel cell assembly having gasketing in accordance with the invention. - The advantage and benefit of gasketing in accordance with the invention may be best illustrated by considering the exemplary gasketing requirements of an integrated SOFC fuel cell assembly.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , fuel cell assembly 10 includes a plurality of sub-assemblies and components assembled together generally by bolts. An integratedbase manifold 12 comprises abottom plate 14, andlower section 16, anintermediate plate 18, anupper section 20, and atop plate 22. Theplates sections manifold 12 is a three-dimensional structure of interwoven flow paths for various gases.Patterned sheet gaskets - Fuel cell sub-assembly 32 is mounted on
manifold 12, ports (not visible) in the sub-assembly being mateable with ports (not visible) in the manifold to provide reformate from the manifold into the sub-assembly, to exhaust spent reformate from the sub-assembly, and to provide cooling air to and from the assembly. A patternedsheet gasket 34 is disposed therebetween to seal the port interfaces against gas leakage. Manifold 12 and sub-assembly 32 are bolted together bybolts 36. - Fuel cell sub-assembly 32 also contains passage joints (not visible) which are gasketed (not shown) between adjacent plates and fuel cell modules.
- A
hydrocarbon fuel reformer 38 is mounted to manifold 12 viabolts 40, having a patterned sheet gasket (not visible) therebetween. A fuel pre-heater andvaporization sub-assembly 42 is attached toreformer 38 for supplying heated and vaporized hydrocarbon fuel to the reformer. A patternedsheet gasket 44 is provided therebetween, andsub-assembly 42 is secured toreformer 38 viathroughbolts 46. - A
cover plate 48 forsub-assembly 42 supports afuel injector 50 for the reformer. A patternedsheet gasket 52 is provided under the cover plate. -
Heat exchangers 54 a, 54 b are mounted tomanifold 12 viabolts 56, having a patternedsheet gasket 58 therebetween. -
Air inlet fittings manifold 12, thethreads 64 preferably being sealed with gasket material. - The various patterned sheet gaskets and the thread-sealing material include, and preferably are formed from, fluorophlogopite mica (F-mica). F-mica, a synthetic fluorine mica believed to have the formula KMg3(AlSi3O10)F2 contains no (OH)− of natural phlogopite KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2. The (OH)− is fully substituted with F−. The fluorine mica has the following unique characteristics which are much superior to those of natural mica: high chemical stability, excellent transmittance, outgassing-free at high temperature in vacuum, excellent electrical insulation, high heat endurance (up to 1100° C.), non-radioactive background, and highly flexible and cleavable. F-mica sheets may be made by the processes of, as for example, screening, paper making, inorganic binder impregnating and hot pressing etc. F-mica sheets are known in the prior art for a variety of uses, such as substrates of thin film, windows and monochromater for x-ray, neutron diffraction, microwave and optics, spacers of electrical vacuum devices, scanning electron microscopes, and water gauges of high pressure boilers, which uses are important in industry and science. F-mica has not heretofore been used for gasketing in high-temperature fuel cells, as disclosed herein. Both sheet and tape forms of F-mica are commercially available from, for example, G.B. Group, Inc., New York, N.Y., USA, in thicknesses from 0.05 mm to 5 mm.
- While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims.
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/389,452 US7008716B2 (en) | 2001-10-01 | 2003-03-14 | Gasket material for a fuel cell |
EP04075618A EP1458041A1 (en) | 2003-03-14 | 2004-02-26 | Gasket material including mica for a solid oxide fuel cell |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/968,270 US6821667B2 (en) | 2001-10-01 | 2001-10-01 | Fuel cell stack having foil interconnects and laminated spacers |
US10/389,452 US7008716B2 (en) | 2001-10-01 | 2003-03-14 | Gasket material for a fuel cell |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/968,270 Continuation-In-Part US6821667B2 (en) | 2001-10-01 | 2001-10-01 | Fuel cell stack having foil interconnects and laminated spacers |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040180254A1 US20040180254A1 (en) | 2004-09-16 |
US20050064265A9 true US20050064265A9 (en) | 2005-03-24 |
US7008716B2 US7008716B2 (en) | 2006-03-07 |
Family
ID=32771650
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/389,452 Expired - Lifetime US7008716B2 (en) | 2001-10-01 | 2003-03-14 | Gasket material for a fuel cell |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US7008716B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1458041A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7222406B2 (en) * | 2002-04-26 | 2007-05-29 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Methods for making a multi-layer seal for electrochemical devices |
US7294424B2 (en) * | 2002-06-24 | 2007-11-13 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Solid-oxide fuel cell assembly having simplified arrangement of current collectors |
US7386375B2 (en) * | 2004-09-07 | 2008-06-10 | General Motors Corporation | Gasoline fuel cell power system transient control |
EP2297807A1 (en) * | 2008-06-17 | 2011-03-23 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Sofc double seal with dimensional control for superior thermal cycle stability |
JP2014513857A (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2014-06-05 | 24エム・テクノロジーズ・インコーポレイテッド | Semi-solid filled battery and manufacturing method |
CN104229733B (en) * | 2014-07-02 | 2016-08-24 | 广东合即得能源科技有限公司 | The reformer of methanol-water hydrogen producer and manufacturing process thereof |
Citations (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3615838A (en) * | 1968-05-10 | 1971-10-26 | Albert C Erickson | Fuel cell unit with novel fluid distribution drain and vent features |
US3844920A (en) * | 1973-11-21 | 1974-10-29 | Gen Motors Corp | Air fuel ratio sensor |
US5100740A (en) * | 1989-09-25 | 1992-03-31 | General Electric Company | Direct bonded symmetric-metallic-laminate/substrate structures |
US5219673A (en) * | 1991-08-23 | 1993-06-15 | Kaun Thomas D | Cell structure for electrochemical devices and method of making same |
US5505498A (en) * | 1994-05-16 | 1996-04-09 | Eg&G Pressure Science, Inc. | Flexible pressure-energized joint |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1458041A1 (en) | 2004-09-15 |
US20040180254A1 (en) | 2004-09-16 |
US7008716B2 (en) | 2006-03-07 |
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