WO1994027334A1 - Molten carbonate fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Molten carbonate fuel cell stack Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994027334A1
WO1994027334A1 PCT/NL1994/000116 NL9400116W WO9427334A1 WO 1994027334 A1 WO1994027334 A1 WO 1994027334A1 NL 9400116 W NL9400116 W NL 9400116W WO 9427334 A1 WO9427334 A1 WO 9427334A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
cell stack
plate
molten carbonate
electrolyte
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL1994/000116
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leonardus Adrianus Hendricus Machielse
Hendricus Theodorus Johannes Reijers
Remko Van Tongeren
Reinder Jacobs Boersma
Ivan Doeven
Original Assignee
Stichting Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stichting Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland filed Critical Stichting Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland
Priority to AU68587/94A priority Critical patent/AU6858794A/en
Publication of WO1994027334A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994027334A1/en

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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
    • H01M8/24—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
    • H01M8/244—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes with matrix-supported molten electrolyte
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a molten carbonate fuel cell stack according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the electrolyte matrix, cathode and anode will reduce in thickness.
  • the thickness reduction of the components of the fuel cell is due to the high temperature which results in further sintering of the several components.
  • the initial thickness of the cathode plate is about 0,8 mm after some time it has been observed that its thickness is reduced to 0,5 mm.
  • the invention aims to provide a molten carbonate fuel cell stack of the type mentioned above in which the thickness reduction of the various co - ponents of the cell stack during use at elevated temperature is compensated for in a simple way, simultaneously with adequate sealing of the fuel and oxidant compartments and with electrolyte buffering.
  • the spacer plate comprises lithium aluminate.
  • the lithium alluminate can have a structure differing from the structure of the matrix material, for example having smaller pores to longer retain carbonate material or having larger pores to improve its deformation chara ⁇ cteristics, preferably according to the invention the structure corresponds to the structure of the electrolyte plate.
  • the spacer according to the subject application has to be differentiated from spacers known to be used in SOFC's.
  • SOFC's the electrolyte is in solid condition and as such cannot provide for the meant sealing pro ⁇ perties, nor is there a need for buffering electrolyte material. Therefore in SOFC, spacers cannot be made of matrix material and fulfill the require ⁇ ments for flexibility, sealing and buffering simultaneously like in the invention.
  • the lithium allumi ⁇ nate is fiber reinforced to increase its mechanical properties.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

Molten carbonate fuel cell stack comprising a series of fuel cells. Each fuel cell comprises an electrolyte plate (13), an anode (4) which can be provided with current collector means (5) and anode gas distribution means (6), cathode gas distribution means (8), a cathode (10) which can be provided with current collector means (9) having a surrounding spacer plate (3) with a center opening for receiving at least one of said distribution means and being provided with openings on the one hand connected to said gas distribution means and on the other hand connected with gas supply/discharge means. To simplify the design of the fuel cell stack and to accommodate reduction of thickness during operation of the molten carbonate fuel cell, it is proposed to choose the material of the spacer plate (3) such that it corresponds to the material of the electrolyte plate and such that it has electrolyte absorbing properties.

Description

Molten carbonate fuel cell stack
The present invention relates to a molten carbonate fuel cell stack according to the preamble of claim 1.
Such a fuel cell stack is known from US-A-4,753,857. Except from the feature that spacer must be sealable to adjacent plates no further informa¬ tion is given.
During operating of a molten carbonate fuel cell the electrolyte matrix, cathode and anode will reduce in thickness. For a big part, the thickness reduction of the components of the fuel cell is due to the high temperature which results in further sintering of the several components.
For example if the initial thickness of the cathode plate is about 0,8 mm after some time it has been observed that its thickness is reduced to 0,5 mm.
Without precautionary measures the thickness reduction of cell components will result in early loss of electrical contact and failure of the stock.
It is possible to accommodate this reduction in thickness by resilient current distribution means or gas distribution means. This usually results in complex structures of current distribution means and gas distribution means, made from metal and giving rise to corrosion problems.
The invention aims to provide a molten carbonate fuel cell stack of the type mentioned above in which the thickness reduction of the various co - ponents of the cell stack during use at elevated temperature is compensated for in a simple way, simultaneously with adequate sealing of the fuel and oxidant compartments and with electrolyte buffering.
This is realized with the characterizing features of claim 1.
It has been found that by using the same material for the spacer plate as for the electrolyte matrix such a spacer can follow the decrease in thickness of the several fuel cell components. Furthermore it has been observed that the liquid electrolyte adsorbed in the spacer according to the invention will provide during operation a sealing (wet-seal) between this spacer and the adjacent component of the fuel cell. This means that no further measures have to be taken for sealing the fuel and the oxidant compartments from each other and the surroundings. Furthermore an additional buffer of electrolyte is provided through its presence in the spacer adjacent to the electrolyte matrix. Because of the additional carbonate material in the spacer evaporation of the carbonate material can be accepted during a longer term before carbonate level in the matrix of the cell has been dropped to an unacceptable level.
Preferably the spacer plate comprises lithium aluminate. Although the lithium alluminate can have a structure differing from the structure of the matrix material, for example having smaller pores to longer retain carbonate material or having larger pores to improve its deformation chara¬ cteristics, preferably according to the invention the structure corresponds to the structure of the electrolyte plate. According to a further preferred embodiment the current collector means are accommodated in the spacerfplate. This means that the spacer plate has an increased thickness through which a further guarantee is obtained that reduction of the thickness of the fuel cell components can be followed without any further measures, -so that electric contact between the compo- nent is always guaranteed. -=
The spacer according to the subject application has to be differentiated from spacers known to be used in SOFC's. In SOFC's the electrolyte is in solid condition and as such cannot provide for the meant sealing pro¬ perties, nor is there a need for buffering electrolyte material. Therefore in SOFC, spacers cannot be made of matrix material and fulfill the require¬ ments for flexibility, sealing and buffering simultaneously like in the invention.
According to a further embodiment of the invention the lithium allumi¬ nate is fiber reinforced to increase its mechanical properties.

Claims

C l a i s
1. Molten carbonate fuel cell stack comprising a series of fuel cells, each comprising an electrolyte plate (13), an anode (4) which can be pro¬ vided with current collector means, anode gas distribution means, a sepa¬ rator plate (7), cathode gas distribution means, a cathode which can be provided with current collector means having a surrounding spacer plate (3) which a center opening for receiving at least one of said gas distribution means and being provided with openings on the one hand connected to said gas distribution means and on the other hand connected with gas sup¬ ply/discharge means, characterized in that - the material of the spacer plate (3) corresponds to the material of the electrolyte plate (13) and has electrolyte .bsorbing properties.
2. Molten carbonate fuel cell stack wherein the spacer plate (13) com¬ prises lithium alluminate.
3. Molten carbonate fuel cell stack according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the spacer plate (13) has a structure cor- responding to the structure of the electrolyte plate (13).
4. Molten carbonate fuel cell stack according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the current collector means are accommodated in the spacer plate (3) .
5. Molten carbonate fuel cell stack according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a cover plate (2) is provided between the electrolyte plate (13) and spacer plate (3) .
*****
PCT/NL1994/000116 1993-05-19 1994-05-19 Molten carbonate fuel cell stack WO1994027334A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU68587/94A AU6858794A (en) 1993-05-19 1994-05-19 Molten carbonate fuel cell stack

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL9300870 1993-05-19
NL9300870A NL9300870A (en) 1993-05-19 1993-05-19 Fuel cell construction.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994027334A1 true WO1994027334A1 (en) 1994-11-24

Family

ID=19862422

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL1994/000116 WO1994027334A1 (en) 1993-05-19 1994-05-19 Molten carbonate fuel cell stack

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6858794A (en)
NL (1) NL9300870A (en)
WO (1) WO1994027334A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999057781A1 (en) * 1998-05-02 1999-11-11 Ballard Power Systems Inc. Fuel cell stack assembly
EP1217676B1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2010-08-04 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Solid oxide fuel cell with a gas diffusion mat and solid oxide fuel cell stack with said mat and an interconnect

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60151972A (en) * 1984-01-19 1985-08-10 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Layer-built fuel cell
US4579788A (en) * 1983-10-18 1986-04-01 Institute Of Gas Technology High temperature fuel cell wet seal
JPS62208559A (en) * 1986-03-10 1987-09-12 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Separator for fuel cell
JPS62208560A (en) * 1986-03-10 1987-09-12 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Separator for fuel cell
US4753857A (en) * 1984-05-29 1988-06-28 Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Laminated fuel cell
JPH01183070A (en) * 1988-01-06 1989-07-20 Hitachi Ltd Separator for fuel cell
JPH0230067A (en) * 1988-07-20 1990-01-31 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Manufacture of fused carbonate fuel battery
US4942099A (en) * 1988-11-28 1990-07-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Fuel cell
US5232792A (en) * 1992-08-21 1993-08-03 M-C Power Corporation Cell separator plate used in fuel cell stacks

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1303704A (en) * 1961-09-06 1962-09-14 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Improvements made to battery cells
JPS63241868A (en) * 1987-03-30 1988-10-07 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Fuel cell stack
JPH01197972A (en) * 1988-02-01 1989-08-09 Agency Of Ind Science & Technol Plate shaped solid electrolyte type fuel cell
DE4016157A1 (en) * 1989-06-08 1990-12-13 Asea Brown Boveri High temp. fuel cell stack - with cells series-connected by separator plates and elastic current collectors
DE4011079A1 (en) * 1990-04-05 1991-10-10 Interatom HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL
JPH0417266A (en) * 1990-05-09 1992-01-22 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Flat type solid electrolytic fuel battery

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4579788A (en) * 1983-10-18 1986-04-01 Institute Of Gas Technology High temperature fuel cell wet seal
JPS60151972A (en) * 1984-01-19 1985-08-10 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Layer-built fuel cell
US4753857A (en) * 1984-05-29 1988-06-28 Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Laminated fuel cell
JPS62208559A (en) * 1986-03-10 1987-09-12 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Separator for fuel cell
JPS62208560A (en) * 1986-03-10 1987-09-12 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Separator for fuel cell
JPH01183070A (en) * 1988-01-06 1989-07-20 Hitachi Ltd Separator for fuel cell
JPH0230067A (en) * 1988-07-20 1990-01-31 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Manufacture of fused carbonate fuel battery
US4942099A (en) * 1988-11-28 1990-07-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Fuel cell
US5232792A (en) * 1992-08-21 1993-08-03 M-C Power Corporation Cell separator plate used in fuel cell stacks

Non-Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 12, no. 065 (E - 586) 27 February 1988 (1988-02-27) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 12, no. 65 (E - 586)<2912> 27 February 1988 (1988-02-27) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 13, no. 468 (E - 834)<3816> 23 October 1989 (1989-10-23) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 14, no. 178 (E - 915)<4121> 10 April 1990 (1990-04-10) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 9, no. 318 (E - 366)<2041> 13 December 1985 (1985-12-13) *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999057781A1 (en) * 1998-05-02 1999-11-11 Ballard Power Systems Inc. Fuel cell stack assembly
EP1217676B1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2010-08-04 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Solid oxide fuel cell with a gas diffusion mat and solid oxide fuel cell stack with said mat and an interconnect

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL9300870A (en) 1994-12-16
AU6858794A (en) 1994-12-12

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