Fuel cell device and system

摘要

Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages. In other embodiments, fuel cell devices include second sub-passages for the active second gas passage and a second artery flow passage coupled thereto, and extending from either the first end or the second end into the reaction zone. In yet other embodiments, one or both electrodes of a fuel cell device are segmented.

主权项

1. A fuel cell device comprising:
a ceramic support structure having a length in an x direction from a first end to a second end, a width in a y direction from a first side to a second side, and a thickness in a z direction from a top surface to a bottom surface, wherein the length is greater than the width or thickness whereby the x direction of the ceramic support structure is a dominant direction of thermal expansion; a reaction zone along a first portion of the length configured to be exposed to a heat source to heat the reaction zone to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone along a second portion of the length configured to be shielded from the heat source to remain at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the reaction zone is heated; at least one fuel passage within the ceramic support structure extending from the at least one cold zone to the reaction zone, and having an associated anode in the reaction zone within the ceramic support structure; at least one oxidizer passage within the ceramic support structure extending from the at least one cold zone to the reaction zone, and having an associated cathode in the reaction zone positioned in opposing relation to the anode within the ceramic support structure; and an electrolyte disposed between the opposing anode and cathode in the reaction zone, wherein at least one of the anode or cathode, or both, is a segmented electrode having an area and a thickness and that includes a plurality of electrode material segments in a spaced pattern in the area and separated by gaps extending to at least a portion of the thickness of the segmented electrode, and further comprising a current collector extending continuously over the segmented electrode in contact with each of the electrode material segments.