Arrangement for regulating the feed of combustion gas to a fuel battery with a solid electrolyte

摘要

1148935 Fuel cells BROWN BOVERI & CO Ltd 16 May 1966 [19 May 1965] 21650/66 Headings G3 and R4 The voltage of the last cell or last two cells of a battery of solid electrolyte fuel cells fed serially with fuel gas is compared with a reference voltage and the difference used to control a fuel-flow regulator so that the supply of gas to the last cell or cells is the maximum consistent with complete fuel utilization. The reference voltage may be an auxiliary battery, a potentiometer in parallel with the load resistance or one of the central cells of the battery. The regulator may be a motor-driven needle valve or a solid electrolyte cell fed with the voltage difference of the cell or cells and the reference source. Gaseous oxygen is generated or used up depending on the direction of the voltage and the ensuing oxygen pressure change drives a piston along a porous cylinder through which the gas is supplied. The electrolyte of the cells may be ZrO 2 and Y 2 O 3 .