Solid oxide fuel cell system

摘要

This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising:
(a) at least one tubular solid oxide fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising an outer electrode layer (16) configured to receive a first reactant fluid, an inner electrode layer (14) configured to receive a second reactant fluid and an electrolyte layer (18) sandwiched between the electrode layers;
(b) a porous electrically conductive current collector (162) located inside the fuel cell, electrically coupled to the inner electrode layer (14) and having sufficient porosity to enable the second reactant fluid to flow through the current collector and to the inner electrode layer; and
(c) a solid phase porous support matrix in which the fuel cell is embedded, the matrix having sufficient mechanical strength to support the fuel cell inside the system and sufficient porosity to enable the first reactant fluid to flow through the matrix and to the outer electrode layer.