초록 ▼

An electrolytic cell stack includes inactive electrolyte reservoirs at the upper and lower end portions thereof. The reservoirs are separated from the stack of the complete cells by impermeable, electrically conductive separators. Reservoirs at the negative end are initially low in electrolyte and t

An electrolytic cell stack includes inactive electrolyte reservoirs at the upper and lower end portions thereof. The reservoirs are separated from the stack of the complete cells by impermeable, electrically conductive separators. Reservoirs at the negative end are initially low in electrolyte and the reservoirs at the positive end are high in electrolyte fill. During stack operation electrolyte migration from the positive to the negative end will be offset by the inactive reservoir capacity. In combination with the inactive reservoirs, a sealing member of high porosity and low electrolyte retention is employed to limit the electrolyte migration rate.

대표청구항 ▼

In an electrolytic cell stack including a plurality of electrolytic cells with electrically conductive, electrolyte impermeable separator sheets between adjacent cells in said stack, the electrolytic cells including a porous anode member, a porous cathode member and a porous matrix for molten electr

In an electrolytic cell stack including a plurality of electrolytic cells with electrically conductive, electrolyte impermeable separator sheets between adjacent cells in said stack, the electrolytic cells including a porous anode member, a porous cathode member and a porous matrix for molten electrolyte disposed in the stack between major surfaces of the anode and cathode members, said stack having a negative end portion and a positive end portion at opposite ends thereof with the edge surfaces of the cells forming a first stack face for admitting a supply of oxidant gas and the edge surfaces forming a second stack face for admitting a supply of fuel gas, porous sealing means at the outer margins of the first stack face and at the outer margins of the second stack face for sealing to the supply of oxidant gas and to the supply of fuel gas, the improvement comprising: a first porous reservoir layer in the negative end portion of said stack having an edge surface thereof exposed to the supply of oxidant gas at the first stack face and being in electrolyte communication with the sealing means for receiving and containing electrolyte migrating towards the negative end of said stack, said first porous layer being separated from all adjacent electrodes and matrices by an electrolyte impermeable, electrically conducted layer; a second porous reservoir layer in the positive end portion of said stack having an edge surface exposed at the second stack face and being in electrolyte communication with the second sealing means for providing reserve electrolyte to fuel cells in the positive end portion of the stack, said second porous layer being separated from all adjacent electrodes and matrices by an electrolyte impermeable electrically conducted layer; and wherein said porous sealing means having a portion of increased cross-section and volume at the negative end portion of said stack and having a portion of its length of lesser volume and cross-section at the midportion of said stack for restricting molten electrolyte migration from the positive to the negative end portion of the stack.