Direct carbon electrochemical cell

A direct carbon fuel cell system, the system comprising:

• an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell comprising a cathode, a solid state first electrolyte and an anode;
• an anode housing that at least partially defines an anode chamber at least one of containing or being configured to receive a second electrolyte and a fuel;
• a cathode housing that comprises one or more openings for at least one of admitting or expelling an oxidant;
• and
• at least one anode chamber seal and at least one cathode seal,
• wherein:
• the electrochemical cell is provided between at least part of the anode housing and at least part of the cathode housing, with the anode being provided toward the anode housing and the cathode being provided toward the cathode housing;
• the at least one anode chamber seal is provided between the anode housing and at least one of the electrochemical cell, the cathode housing, or the cathode seal;
• at least one cathode seal is provided between the cathode housing and at least one of the electrochemical cell, the anode housing, or the anode seal;
• and
• the second electrolyte and fuel are provided in the anode chamber, the amount of the second electrolyte being at least one of:
• (a) less than or equal to 20 mol %;
• or (b) less than 1:1 weight ratio relative to the fuel.