IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,308,485
Granted Patent B2
US 12,308,485 · App. 16/435,131 · Granted May 20, 2025

Molten electrolyte dual-phase membranes for intermediate temperature fuel cells

Inventors: Patrick Campbell (Oakland, CA); Maira Ceron Hernandez (Livermore, CA); Vedasri Vedharathinam (Fremont, CA)
Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
H01M8/0236H01M8/0267H01M8/04089
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,308,485
App. No.
16/435,131
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one aspect of an inventive concept, a fuel cell system includes a cathode and an anode, a porous ceramic support positioned between the cathode and anode, and a molten electrolyte mixture in pores of the ceramic support. In another aspect of an inventive concept, a method for producing energy includes directing a gas stream through a cathode, where an inner side of the cathode is adjacent to a dual phase membrane including a ceramic support infiltrated with a molten electrolyte mixture, sweeping an outer side of the anode with water, where an inner side of the anode is adjacent to the dual phase membrane, and collecting energy from the anode. The dual phase membrane is sandwiched between the cathode and an anode.

Claims (40)

1. A fuel cell system, comprising:

a cathode and an anode;

a porous ceramic support positioned between the cathode and anode, wherein the ceramic support is comprised of zirconia stabilized with yttria;

a molten electrolyte mixture in pores of the ceramic support; and

a water flow system on an outer side of the anode, wherein the outer side of the anode is opposite an inner side of the anode, wherein the inner side of the anode is adjacent to the ceramic support, wherein the water flow system is configured to sweep steam across the outer side of the anode.

2. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell system is operable to generate electricity up to a temperature of 600 degrees Celsius.

3. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell system is operable to generate electricity at temperatures in a range of about 150 degrees Celsius to about 400 degrees Celsius.

4. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the molten electrolyte mixture includes a molten hydroxide mixture, wherein the molten hydroxide mixture includes an alkaline hydroxide having a melting point below 200 degrees Celsius.

5. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the ceramic support with the molten hydroxide mixture therein is a hydroxide ceramic dual phase membrane.

6. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the molten hydroxide mixture includes at least one cation selected from the group consisting of: lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, and rubidium.

7. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cathode and the anode are porous.

8. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cathode is configured to be a catalyst for an oxide reduction reaction, wherein the anode is configured to be a catalyst for a hydrogen oxidation reaction.

9. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein a material of the cathode and a material of the anode include the same material.

10. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein a material of the cathode and a material of the anode include different materials.

11. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cathode and/or anode include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of: platinum group metals, nickel, copper, cobalt, mixed metal oxides, nickel cobalt alloys, and a combination thereof.

12. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cathode and/or anode includes an electrode material selected from the group consisting of: metal mesh, carbon material, metal particles, and a combination thereof.

13. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the molten electrolyte mixture is configured to generate ionic conductivity greater than 0.50 siemens per centimeter at temperatures greater than 150 degrees Celsius.

14. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , comprising a triple phase boundary region, wherein the triple phase boundary region includes an association of the cathode and/or anode, the molten electrolyte mixture, and a gas.

15. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, and air.

16. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ceramic support has physical characteristics of formation by an additive manufacturing technique.

17. A fuel system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the porous ceramic support comprises pores having an average diameter sufficient to retain liquid by capillary action.

18. A fuel system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the porous ceramic support comprises pores having an average diameter in a range of 50 nanometers to about 10 microns.

19. A fuel system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the porous ceramic support comprises pores having an average diameter in a range of 50 nm to about 500 nm.

20. A fuel cell system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the porous ceramic support comprises pores configured to retain liquid by capillary action during exposure of the support to temperatures at about 400 degrees Celsius for greater than 100 hours.

21. A fuel cell system, comprising:

a cathode and an anode;

a porous ceramic support positioned between the cathode and anode;

a molten electrolyte mixture in pores of the ceramic support;

a power source for applying a voltage differential across the cathode and the anode; and

a water flow system on an outer side of the anode, wherein the outer side of the anode is opposite an inner side of the anode, wherein the inner side of the anode is adjacent to the ceramic support, wherein the water flow system is configured to sweep steam across the outer side of the anode,

wherein the fuel cell system is configured to synthesize ammonia from water and nitrogen gas.

22. A fuel cell system, comprising:

a cathode and an anode;

a porous ceramic support positioned between the cathode and anode;

a molten electrolyte mixture in pores of the ceramic support; and

a water flow system on an outer side of the anode, wherein the outer side of the anode is opposite an inner side of the anode, wherein the inner side of the anode is adjacent to the ceramic support, wherein the water flow system is configured to sweep steam across the outer side of the anode.

23. A method for producing energy from the fuel cell system of claim 22 , the method comprising:

directing a gas stream through the cathode;

sweeping an outer side of the anode with water; and

collecting energy from the anode.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Mar 30, 2021
From: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 055762/0865 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS) Recorded Sep 21, 2020
From: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 053837/0690 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2020
From: CAMPBELL, PATRICK; HERNANDEZ, MAIRA CERON; VEDHARATHINAM, VEDASRI
To: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Reel/Frame 052119/0437 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62682729 · Jun 8, 2018
Related Publication 20190379063A1 · Dec 12, 2019
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