Solid oxide fuel cell device

摘要

A fuel cell device having an exterior surface defining an interior ceramic support structure. An active zone is along an intermediate portion of the length for undergoing a fuel cell reaction, and opposing non-active end regions are along end portions extending away from the active zone without being heated. Fuel and oxidizer passages extend within the interior support structure from respective first and second inlets in respective ones of the opposing non-active end regions. The active zone has an anode associated with each of the fuel passages and a cathode associated with each of the oxidizer passages in opposing relation to a respective one of the anodes with an electrolyte therebetween. The opposing non-active end regions lack the anode and cathode in opposing relation so as to be incapable of undergoing a fuel cell reaction.

主权项

1. A solid oxide fuel cell device comprising:
an elongate ceramic substrate having an exterior surface defining an interior solid ceramic support structure and having a length that is the greatest dimension whereby the elongate ceramic substrate exhibits thermal expansion along a dominant axis that is coextensive with the length, an active zone along an intermediate portion of the length for undergoing a fuel cell reaction when supplied with heat, fuel and oxidizer, and opposing non-active end regions along end portions of the length extending away from the active zone without being heated to dissipate heat and to thereby remain at a lower temperature than the active zone when the active zone is supplied with heat; a plurality of fuel passages extending within the interior solid ceramic support structure of the elongate ceramic substrate from one or more first inlets in one of the opposing non-active end regions to the active zone, and each of the plurality of fuel passages having an anode associated therewith in the active zone; a plurality of oxidizer passages extending within the interior solid ceramic support structure of the elongate ceramic substrate from one or more second inlets in the other one of the opposing non-active end regions to the active zone, each of the plurality of oxidation passages having a cathode associated therewith in the active zone positioned in opposing relation to the respective one of the anodes, wherein the opposing non-active end regions lack anodes and cathodes in opposing relation so as to be incapable of undergoing a fuel cell reaction; and an electrolyte disposed between each of the opposing anodes and cathodes within the interior solid ceramic support structure in the active zone, the electrolyte being monolithic with the interior solid ceramic support structure.