Patent ID: 8173322
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An intermediate temperature, axially extending solid oxide fuel cell structure capable of operating at 600° C. to 800° C. comprising: (1) a porous hollow elongated metal support tube having a thickness of from 0.10 mm to 1.0 mm, having a porosity of from 25 vol. % to 50 vol. %, having an electronic conductivity of from 3,000 S/cm to 6,000 S/cm, and a tensile strength from 700 GPa to 900 GPa, which metal support is selected from the group consisting of sintered oxidation resistant mixtures of iron, chromium and manganese with optional amounts of materials selected from the group consisting of titanium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium and zirconium, and mixtures thereof, to provide a pool of electrons required for oxidant reduction reactions at a contacting air electrode; (2) a ceramic air electrode, having a porosity of from 20 vol. % to 30 vol. %, contacting the metal support tube and capable of reducing oxygen molecules into oxygen ions at 600° C. to 800° C., and having a thickness of 0.010 mm to 0.2 mm; (3) a gas tight solid oxide electrolyte contacting the air electrode, the electrolyte capable of conducting oxygen ions at 600° C. to 800° C., and having a thickness of 0.001 mm to 0.01 mm; (4) an outer cermet fuel electrode contacting the electrolyte; (5) a ceramic interconnection material having a thickness of from 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm, contacting a segment of the metal support tube; and (6) an electrically conductive cell structure to cell structure contact layer having a thickness of from 0.001 mm to 0.010 mm; wherein the solid oxide fuel cell structure has two open ends.