Patent ID: 7964314

Claim:
A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell device comprising a plurality of “n” independently controllable power producing segments, the method comprising: a) operating at least one of the “n” independently controllable power producing segments in a power producing mode; and b) simultaneously subjecting at least one of the “n” independently controllable power producing segments not operating in a power producing mode to an in situ maintenance process for a period of time, wherein the maintenance process comprises at least one of: i) applying an electrical potential between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, ii) subjecting the at least one anode to one or more potential cycles, iii) exposing the at least one anode to air and/or an oxygen containing atmosphere, iv) adjusting the magnitude of an electrical load electrically connected to the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, v) removing any electrical load connected to the at least one anode and/or the at least one cathode such that the segment is at open-circuit voltage, vi) passing an electrical current between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, and vii) exposing at least one cathode to a low oxygen content atmosphere.