US4548876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated current collector and catalyst support
Assignee: UNITED OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS GOVERMENT
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Filing: 1984-10-17
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Granted: 1985-10-22
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Expires: 2004-10-17
Abstract
Abstract An integrated current collecting electrode for a molten carbonate fuel cell includes a corrugated metal conductive strip positioned in contact with a catalyst layer. The corrugations of the metal strip form a plurality of gas channels immediately adjacent the surface of the catalyst through which a reactant gas flows. Each channel is filled with a particulate material to maintain separation between the metal strip and the catalyst in ensuring gas channel integrity. The catalyst may be in the form of a compacted, particulate material provided the particle size of the material within the gas channels is larger than that of the catalyst particles to prevent catalyst migration to the metal conductor and provide reactant gas access to the catalyst layer. The gas channels formed by the corrugations of the metal strip are arranged in an offset pattern along the direction of gas flow for improved reactant gas distribution to the catalyst layer. The particulate material positioned within the gas flow channels may be a ceramic conductor such as a perovskite or a spinel for enhanced current collection.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence J. Bregoli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0247; H01M8/0254; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/8605; H01M4/8626; H01M4/90; H01M4/9016; H01M4/9091; H01M8/0204; H01M8/0221; H01M8/023; H01M8/0232; H01M8/0236; H01M8/0241; H01M8/0245; H01M8/14; H01M8/141; H01M8/142; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An electrode for use in a gaseous fuel cell wherein a reactant gas is introduced for generating electrical energy, said electrode comprising: a generally flat, planar catalyst responsive to said reactant gas for effecting the ionization thereof, said catalyst comprised of a first compressed, particulate material; a current collector positioned immediately adjacent to and in electrical contact with a generally flat surface of said catalyst for carrying an electrical current arising from the ionization of the reactant gas, said current collector including a plurality of elongated, generally linear corrugations therein forming alternating closed and open channels along the flat surface of said catalyst through which the reactant gas is circulated; and a second particulate material positioned within said gas carrying closed channels along the length thereof for maintaining spacing between said catalyst and said current collector along said closed channels and diffusing the reactant gas into said catalyst.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electrode for use in a gaseous fuel cell wherein a reactant gas is introduced for generating electrical energy, said electrode comprising: a generally flat, planar catalyst responsive to said reactant gas for effecting the ionization thereof, said catalyst comprised of a first compressed, particulate material; a current collector positioned immediately adjacent to and in electrical contact with a generally flat surface of said catalyst for carrying an electrical current arising from the ionization of the reactant gas, said current collector including a plurality of elongated, generally linear corrugations therein forming alternating closed and open channels along the flat surface of said catalyst through which the reactant gas is circulated; and a second particulate material positioned within said gas carrying closed channels along the length thereof for maintaining spacing between said catalyst and said current collector along said closed channels and diffusing the reactant gas into said catalyst.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said second particulate material is comprised of particles larger than the particles of said first particulate material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrode of claim 2 wherein the particles of said second particulate material are generally 150 to 175 microns in diameter and the particles of said first particulate material are generally 10 to 20 microns in diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said current collector is comprised of metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said catalyst is comprised of a ceramic conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode of claim 5 wherein said ceramic conductor is a perovskite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode of claim 5 wherein said ceramic conductor is a spinel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said second particulate material is alumina.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said second particulate material is electrically conductive for increased current collection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrode of claim 9 wherein said second particulate material is comprised of a ceramic conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode of claim 10 wherein said ceramic conductor is a perovskite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode of claim 10 wherein said ceramic conductor is a spinel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein the reactant gas is directed into the open channels between adjacent closed channels and wherein said closed channels are offset from one another along the direction of circulation of the reactant gas therethrough for introducing reactant gas into said closed channels along the length thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein the reactant gas is comprised of a mixture of H 2 and CO.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein the reactant gas is comprised of a mixture of CO 2 and O 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said catalyst includes a combustible binding material which is burned away at the gaseous fuel cell operating temperatures in providing porosity in said catalyst.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrode of claim 16 wherein said combustible binding material is comprised of a plastic binder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein said gaseous fuel cell is a molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electrode of claim 1 further comprising an electrolyte matrix positioned in contact with a second surface of said catalyst, wherein said second surface is opposite and in facing relation to the generally flat surface of said catalyst with which said current collector is in contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |