Reinforced matrix for molten carbonate fuel cell and method for manufacturing the same
AssigneeFuelCell Energy, Inc.
InventorsArun Surendranath, Abdelkader Hilmi, Chao-Yi Yuh
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Abstract
A reinforced electrolyte matrix for a molten carbonate fuel cell includes a porous ceramic matrix, a molten carbonate salt provided in the porous ceramic matrix, and at least one reinforcing structure comprised of at least one of yttrium, zirconium, cerium or oxides thereof. The reinforcing structure does not react with the molten carbonate salt. The reinforced electrolyte matrix separates a porous anode and a porous cathode in the molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claims20
A reinforced electrolyte matrix for a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising:
- a porous ceramic matrix;
- a molten carbonate salt provided in the porous ceramic matrix;
- and
- at least one reinforcing structure comprising:
- (a) rod, fiber, whisker, or boulder consisting of yttrium, cerium, zirconium, yttria, ceria, zirconia, or alumina, and coated with a protective film of yttria-stabilized zirconia, yttria, zirconia, yttria-aluminate, or ceria on the surface of the rod, fiber, whisker or boulder;
- (b) an alumina-zirconia boulder comprising a eutectic ceramic material including alumina and zirconia;
- or
- (c) combinations thereof;
- wherein the reinforcing structure does not react with the molten carbonate salt.
A method of manufacturing a reinforced electrolyte matrix for a molten carbonate fuel cell, the method comprising:
- preparing a matrix slurry comprised of a solvent, lithium aluminate powder, carbonate salt, and at least one reinforcing structure comprising:
- (a) a rod, fiber, whisker, or boulder consisting of yttrium, cerium, zirconium, yttria, ceria, zirconia, or alumina, and coated with a protective film of yttria-stabilized zirconia, yttria, zirconia, yttria-aluminate, or ceria on the surface of the rod, fiber, whisker, or boulder;
- (b) an alumina-zirconia boulder comprising a eutectic ceramic material including alumina and zirconia;
- or
- (c) combinations thereof;
- tape casting the slurry;
- and
- drying the slurry to form the reinforced electrolyte matrix;
- wherein the reinforcing structure does not react with the carbonate salt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.