Molten carbonate fuel cell integral matrix tape and bubble barrier
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsCarl A. Reiser, Donald L. Maricle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molten carbonate fuel cell matrix material is described made up of a matrix tape portion and a bubble barrier portion. The matrix tape portion comprises particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte, ceramic particles and a polymeric binder, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable and having rubber-like compliance at room temperature. The bubble barrier is a solid material having fine porosity preferably being bonded to the matrix tape. In operation in a fuel cell, the polymer binder burns off leaving the matrix and bubble barrier providing superior sealing, stability and performance properties to the fuel cell stack.
Claims14
A matrix material for a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising a fine pore, gas permeable, anode stable metal layer having about 25% to about 35% by volume porosity bonded to a matrix tape, the matrix tape comprising a mixture of particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte having a particle size less than about 1 micron, ceramic particles having a particle size greater than about 25 microns, and an organic polymeric binder material, the binder material being present in an amount at least about 25% by volume, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable, and compliant at room temperature.
A molten carbonate fuel cell containing an anode section, a cathode section, a matrix and electrolyte, wherein the improvement comprises as the matrix a fine pore, gas permeable, anode stable metal layer having about 25% to about 35% by volume porosity bonded to a matrix tape, the matrix tape comprising a mixture of particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte having a particle size less than about 1 micron, ceramic particles having a particle size greater than about 25 microns, and an organic polymeric binder material, the binder material being present in an amount at least about 25% by volume, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable and compliant at room temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.