FUEL CELL Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: chemical-to-electric energy conversion. SUBSTANCE: fuel cell has carbonate melt placed in can at temperature not lower than melting point, pair of electrodes (anode and cathode) each connected to facility supplying it with working gas, fuel (anode) and oxidizer (cathode), and surface joined with carbonate melt and provided with catalyst for chemical reaction of oxidation across anode and reduction across cathode. Each electrode shell filled with working gas is at least partially immersed in carbonate melt; it is made of metal wire or net provision being made to hold working gas inside mentioned electrode shells and carbonate melt outside mentioned shells by means of capillary forces. Metal wire of electrode shell may be wound in the form of spiral with pitch forming maximum 200 mcm gap between adjacent turns; metal gauze of electrode shell may be made with cell size of 1-200 mcm. Cathode may use lithia nickel as catalyst and anode may contain nickel or its alloys used as catalyst. Oxygen may be used as oxidizing gas. Fuel gas may be hydrogen, synthesis gas, methane, or natural gas, Mixture of lithium, potassium, and sodium carbonates is used as carbonate melt. EFFECT: reduced cost of fuel cell and unit power generation. 10 cl, 2 dwg