초록 ▼

A sulfur-tolerant electrochemical converter having low internal resistance that is capable of directly processing hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur component of up to about 50 ppm, and in excess of this amount, without suffering permanent structural damage or suffering a significant and/or permanent

A sulfur-tolerant electrochemical converter having low internal resistance that is capable of directly processing hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur component of up to about 50 ppm, and in excess of this amount, without suffering permanent structural damage or suffering a significant and/or permanent decrease in overall operating performance. The electrochemical converter is a high temperature fuel cell that has an operating temperature between about 600.degree. C. and about 1200.degree. C. and is capable of internally vaporizing and/or reforming the hydrocarbon fuel. One or more of the converter constituents, such as the interconnector, the contact surfaces of the interconnector, the fuel electrode, and the oxidizer electrode, is composed of a selected mixture containing chromium oxide and an alkaline metal oxide.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:] [1.] An electrochemical converter, comprisingan electrolyte layer having a fuel electrode material on one side and an oxidizer electrode material on the other side,an interconnector having oppos

[ Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:] [1.] An electrochemical converter, comprisingan electrolyte layer having a fuel electrode material on one side and an oxidizer electrode material on the other side,an interconnector having opposed contact surfaces for providing an electrical connection with adjacent electrodes, andmeans for introducing a fuel reactant to the fuel electrode and an oxidizer reactant to the oxidizer electrode,wherein at least one of the interconnector, one of the contact surfaces of the interconnector, the fuel electrode, and the oxidizer electrode comprises a selected mixture containing at least chromium oxide and a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of beryllium oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, strontium oxide, barium oxide, and radium oxide, and wherein said mixture is a lanthanum-free mixture.