Patent ID: 6878479

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: an anode current collector; a cathode current collector; a porous ceramic separator, wherein said separator is sandwiched between said cathode current collector and said anode current collector and said anode current collector is at a higher elevation than said cathode current collector; an anode plate and rib assembly comprising a plate and a plurality of ribs, wherein said anode plate and rib assembly is positioned such that said ribs are electrically connected to said anode current collector to form a plurality of anode channels; a cathode plate and rib assembly comprising a plate and a plurality of ribs, wherein said cathode plate and rib assembly is positioned such that said ribs are electrically connected to said cathode current collector to form a plurality of cathode channels; a means for entry to said anode channels of a plurality of particles, wherein said particles consist essentially of carbon, electrolyte, or mixtures thereof; a means for entry of a gas containing both oxygen and carbon-dioxide to said cathode channels; a means for exit of carbon dioxide gas and excess molten electrolyte from said anode channels; and a means for exit of gaseous byproducts and excess molten electrolyte from said cathode channels, wherein said cell assembly is substantially planar and rectangular and tilted at an acute angle to the horizontal in a configuration such that said means of entry are positioned at a higher elevation than said means of exit and that said anode plate and rib assembly is positioned at a higher elevation than said cathode plate and rib assembly.