Edge seals for molten carbonate fuel cell stacks
US5478663A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The reactant manifolds and corners of a molten carbonate fuel cell stack are sealed with particulate lithium aluminate members which are sufficiently porous so as to resist significant electrolyte migration therethrough. The seal members which are disposed in vertical planes of the stack are preferentially formed from lithium aluminate grains which are bonded together by a silica-free glass binder. The seal members which are disposed in horizontal planes in the stack are preferably formed from lithium aluminate grains which are bonded together by surface hydrolysis. Alumina-clad stainless steel labyrinth seal members are associated with each of the horizontal seal members to inhibit electrolyte migration from the cell electrolyte matrices to the vertical seal members.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.