Integrated electrochemical cell power generation and electrolysis system

Abstract

An electrochemical cell system (51) and an electrochemical cell method are described that are applicable to power generation or electrolysis modes, the system having a closed container interior space plenum (43) for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and inlets to the stacks, the plenum may accommodate thermal expansion and contraction in an economical manner and may provide a substantially equivalent environment for the inlet of each stack and may include, if desired, any or all of a container exterior compression stack mount, a fully adaptive thermal expansion-contraction electrochemical cell stack mount, or an electrochemical cell stack mount. The container exterior compression stack mount may be configured as a cathode outlet manifold (111), the cathode outlet manifold being configured as a stack mount, and the fully adaptive thermal expansion-contraction electrochemical stack mount may be configured with an external spring (91), and even an axial flow regulator (such as a gradient plate (99)) for the possibility of better operation.

Description

[0001] Government licensing rights

[0002] This invention was made with Government support under ARPA-E INTEGRATE Contract DE-AR0000956 awarded by the Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

[0003] Priority claim

[0004] This application is a PCT international patent application claiming priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 297,525, filed on January 7, 2022, and such patent application and any priority cases are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0005] The technology of the present invention described herein generally relates to the field of electrochemical cell methods and integrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks (or other types of fuel cells), which include gas turbine (GT) systems intended for high-efficiency power generation and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) (or other types of electrolyzers) intended for gas or hydrogen production. This document is used as a disclosure of several embodiments related to integrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks (or other types of fuel cells) and gas turbine (GT) systems intended for multiple purposes (including high-efficiency power generation and electrolysis developed by the inventor). In addition, although some embodiments relate to integrated SOFC / GT systems, other embodiments can be used in isolation from independent pressurized or unpressurized SOFC, SOEC or other types of fuel cell systems. In addition, some embodiments can be used as part of a SOEC electrolyzer system, for example for gas or hydrogen production. The technology of the present invention also relates to systems and methods for integrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks (or other types of fuel cells) and gas turbine (GT) systems, which are intended to be used in isolation from independent SOFC (or other types of fuel cell) systems or integrated into SOFC / GT systems for high-efficiency power generation. Background Art

[0006] Solid oxide fuel cells are advanced high temperature (between, but not limited to, 500-1000°C) electrochemical devices that can efficiently convert fuel (mainly hydrogen) into electricity. Although relatively efficient, the high operating temperature of SOFC requires a continuous flow of hot air to supply oxygen for the electrochemical reaction, and the fact that not all fuel supplied to SOFC is consumed can leave room for system and efficiency improvements. Waste heat and unconsumed fuel can be used to improve system efficiency by integrating a gas turbine into the system. In addition, although SOFC eventually consumes hydrogen in the electrochemical reaction, the high operating temperature of the system can also be beneficial for reforming fuel (such as natural gas) into hydrogen that can be consumed in the SOFC stack. Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are closely related to SOFCs and effectively convert steam and electricity into the reverse process of hydrogen (which can be used as fuel) and oxygen. They can also generate some electricity. Many embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to SOECs as well as SOFCs. In this article, SOFC is generally used as a general term, which should be understood to include both SOFCs and SOECs. Summary of the invention

[0007] In general, the technology of the present invention may relate to devices and methods in various embodiments to achieve efficient and robust integrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks (or other types of fuel cells) and gas turbine (GT) systems intended for high-efficiency electricity production, and also to achieve integrated solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) systems to produce gas, fuel, possible oxygen and hydrogen. The present invention can be applied to various different types of electrochemical cells and methods. For example, technologies applicable to planar solid oxide fuel cell stacks and solid oxide electrolysis stacks and stacks operating at high temperatures (possibly 600 to 900°C) are disclosed. These stacks may be composed of a plurality of ceramic planar components (oxygen ion conductive ceramic electrolyte plates) having electrodes on opposite faces. These planar solid oxide cells are typically stacked and sealed with metal interconnects, current collectors and gaskets to define gas flow paths, so that two different gases can flow on opposite faces of each of the planar cells and electrochemical reactions can occur. In embodiments within the two general concepts of power generation systems (e.g., solid oxide fuel cells) or electrolysis systems (e.g., solid oxide electrolysis cells), various types of solid oxide electrochemical systems and cells can be used. Details of different types are mentioned later.

[0008] Although one goal includes creating a high efficiency power generation system by integrating SOFC with GT, the disclosed methods and system architectures exceed this goal and can be applied to many other environments. The goal of the invention team is primarily to develop a system design that maximizes system efficiency while ultimately producing the system at an economically viable price point, and secondly to minimize complexity and maximize robustness. In addition, the technology is now expanded to include a solid oxide electrolysis cell or electrolysis cell (SOEC), which can be closely related to SOFC and effectively perform the reverse process of converting steam and electricity into hydrogen (which can be used as a fuel) and oxygen. Many embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to SOEC as well as SOFC, and therefore, in this document, SOFC is generally used as a general term including both SOFC and SOEC. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is an exemplary implementation of a basic system diagram.

[0010] Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a system schematic diagram showing power output.

[0011] Figure 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a system schematic diagram showing startup and shutdown components.

[0012] Figure 4 are exemplary embodiments of solid oxide fuel cell assemblies and pressure vessels.

[0013] Figure 5 is another exemplary embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell assembly and pressure vessel.

[0014] Figure 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell flow path.

[0015] Figure 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell stack.

[0016] Figure 8 is an exemplary illustration of conventional cathode flow and stack temperature distribution.

[0017] Fig. 9 is an exemplary illustration of a simplified representation of cathode flow and stack temperature distribution for one embodiment of the present technology.

[0018] Fig.10 is an exemplary illustration of an example gradient flow profile according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0019] Fig.11 is an exemplary embodiment of an axial flow conditioner in one embodiment of the present technology.

[0020] Fig.12 is an exemplary embodiment of a SOEC system schematic.

[0021] Fig.13 is an exemplary illustration of a stack compression mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] It should be understood that the embodiments include various aspects that can be combined in different ways. The following description is provided to list the elements and describe some embodiments of the present application. These elements are listed together with the initial embodiment; however, it should be understood that they can be combined in any way and in any number to produce additional embodiments. The different described embodiments and preferred embodiments should not be interpreted as limiting the embodiments of the present application to only the systems, technologies and applications that are clearly described. The specific embodiments shown are only embodiments. This specification should be understood and intended to support broad claims and each embodiment, and even claims that can exclude other embodiments. Importantly, the disclosure of only exemplary embodiments does not mean limiting the width of other more encompassing claims that can be made therein, where this can only be one of several methods or embodiments that can be adopted in broader claims, etc. Further, the description should be understood to support and include descriptions and claims of all various embodiments, systems, technologies, methods, devices and applications, which have any number of disclosed elements, each of which is individually, and in this application or any subsequent application, there are also any and all different permutations and combinations of all elements.

[0023] Generally, an electrochemical cell system can be most basically understood as having a first functional electrode and a second functional electrode. One type of electrode can be considered to have a first function, while another type of electrode can be considered to have a second function. For example, from a fluid and chemical perspective, one type of electrode battery set can be referred to herein as an oxygen battery set having an operation or function involving oxygen, while another type of electrode battery set can be referred to as a fuel cell set having an operation or function involving fuel. In these types of first and second functions, the oxygen type or fuel type can be considered as the first function because such a battery can operate in the opposite order. In addition, oxygen can be used to promote fuel oxidation type events, and the fuel can be a suitably compatible substance, which may be any hydrogen- or carbon-containing substance, and both are usually substances such as hydrocarbon-containing substances. Similarly, from an electrical perspective, the first and second functions can be those of the cathode and anode, where, again, either can be configured as a first function-and the opposite one can be configured as an electrode of the second functional type. As known, the electrodes can be stacked or configured as a stack, and the stack can be composed of a plurality of first functional electrode elements and a plurality of second functional electrode elements. As is known, such an electrode stack in these types of battery stacks has an inlet and an outlet for each of the two types of electrodes. Thus, the stack can contain, for example, a stacked first functional electrode inlet for a first functional electrode stack, a stacked first functional electrode outlet again for the first functional electrode stack, a stacked second functional electrode inlet, for example for a second functional electrode stack, and a stacked second functional electrode outlet also for the second functional electrode stack. These types of inlets can be from Figure 6 , wherein the first functional electrode element is configured as a cathode element in an oxygen stack, and thus the first functional electrode inlet is shown as the area at the beginning of the arrow as the cathode inlet 121, and the corresponding first functional electrode outlet is shown as the area at the end of the arrow as the cathode outlet flowing into the outlet plenum 221. Similarly, the second functional electrode element (which may be configured as an anode element in a fuel stack) may have a second functional electrode inlet and a corresponding second functional electrode outlet, for example, Fig.13 These inlet and outlet areas may be manifolded as explained later.

[0024] Using a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) as the initial design, Figure 1One embodiment of a basic system schematic of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and gas turbine (GT) system is shown in . The system (51) may of course be composed of multiple components including a SOFC stack (7). These are composed of individual electrochemical cells (52), which are fluidly connected in series as an option to form a stack (53), which can then be electrically connected in series and / or in parallel via an interconnect (34) to generate part of the power of the system. An important aspect of SOFC can be that the electrochemical reaction can be highly exothermic. Whatever part of the energy of the fuel consumed in the stack is not converted into electricity, it can be converted into heat, which can be released into the stack and carried away primarily by the anode and cathode flows. The SOFC stack can be integrated into the middle of the gas turbine flow path (35) to maximize the system thermodynamic efficiency, and enable the stack (53) to operate under pressurized conditions in the pressurized region (36) to improve its electrochemical efficiency. In some embodiments, there may also be other optimization benefits due to the integration of the SOFC stack into the middle of the gas turbine flow path. Due to the mechanical design of the SOFC stacks, they can operate with a relatively low pressure difference between their interior (38) and exterior (40), so they can be placed in a pressure vessel (9) pressurized by the cathode inlet flow (41) or operated at ambient pressure. The pressure vessel (9), or more generally, the closed container (9) can be configured to removably accommodate at least a portion of a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, and can also act as a plenum (43), or more precisely, a closed container interior space plenum for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, in particular for a stacked first functional electrode inlet of a first functional electrode stack, described in this embodiment as element (43). In this way, the plenum (43) or closed container interior space plenum for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks (stacked first functional electrode inlets) can be used to ensure uniform flow distribution and recover additional heat lost by hotter components within the pressure vessel (9) assembly.

[0025] As can be understood, by using the more general terms first function and second function relative to the electrode, a variety of different configurations are covered. For example, the oxygen electrode element can be stacked. The stack of the oxygen electrode element can be considered to be a stack of the first functional electrode element. And this can provide a cathode element. In addition, the fuel electrode element can also be configured to stack, and the stack of the fuel electrode element can be regarded as a stack of the second functional electrode element, and in addition, the stack can provide an anode element. This type of configuration can provide a SOFC system. In the electrical reverse function, the stack of the oxygen electrode element can be considered to be a stack of the first functional electrode element and can provide an anode element, and the stack of the fuel electrode element can be considered to be a stack of the second functional electrode element and can provide a cathode element. This type of configuration can provide a SOEC system. Chemically, the opposite can also be established, the stack of the fuel electrode element can be considered to be a stack of the first functional electrode element and can provide a cathode element, and the stack of the oxygen electrode element can be considered to be a stack of the second functional electrode element and can provide an anode element. This type of configuration can provide a SOEC system. Again, electrically reversing the previously stated functions, the stack of fuel electrode elements can be considered a stack of first functional electrode elements and can provide an anode element, and the stack of oxygen electrode elements can be considered a stack of second functional electrode elements and can provide a cathode element. This type of configuration can provide a SOFC system.

[0026] The electrochemical cell stack may include a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, which may be fluidically connected, electrically connected, or most likely both. Here, for example, a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks may be configured as a stack selected from: electrochemical cell stacks electrically connected in series; electrochemical cell stacks fluidically connected in series; electrochemical cell stacks electrically connected in parallel; electrochemical cell stacks fluidically connected in parallel; and any permutations and combinations of the above, even in a particular system. Thus, when establishing a system for operation, a configuration may be selected, purchased, operated, or even individually constructed so that the system may be viewed as providing electrochemical cell stacks electrically connected in series; providing electrochemical cell stacks fluidically connected in series; providing electrochemical cell stacks electrically connected in parallel; providing electrochemical cell stacks fluidically connected in parallel; and any permutations and combinations of these.

[0027] In addition, the turbomachinery (1, 2, 3) may be an additional component in some systems. The compressor (2) and / or the turbine (3) may supply potentially required compressed air (44) from the air intake (15, 16) to support the gas turbine cycle and the SOFC. The turbine (3) may take a pressurized and heated exhaust gas stream (45) and may generate mechanical power, which is partially used to power the compressor (2) of the turbomachinery, while the remaining power of the turbine may be converted into electricity via the generator (1). The motor / generator (1) may operate both as a generator to generate electricity when the system is running and as a motor to power the compressor (2) during startup and possible shutdown.

[0028] Due to physical phenomena, the turbine (3) may not be able to extract all of the available heat from the combustor exhaust stream (45). To improve efficiency, a turbine regenerator (4) may be added to transfer most of the remaining heat from the turbine exhaust (46) to the compressor exhaust (47), where the heat can be recirculated within the system (51) and also exhausted (17). The SOFC stack (53) may require relatively high operating temperatures to promote the electrochemical reaction, and therefore, for example, the incoming cathode stream (41) from the compressor (2) may need to be sufficiently preheated to prevent undesirable cooling of the stack (53). Part of the electrochemical cell system may therefore involve steps that utilize the turbine regenerator (4) in part of the process. The turbine regenerator (4) may be able to supply some or most of this preheating depending on how the system (51) is operated. If the turbine inlet temperature is relatively high, and the pressure ratio of the turbine is relatively low (and therefore the turbine outlet temperature is high), then the turbine regenerator (4) can supply most of the preheating to the cathode inlet stream (41). However, if the turbine inlet temperature is lower, or the pressure ratio is higher, the system may further include a cathode regenerator (5) which may be integrated into the system or may be utilized by the system (51) to transfer additional heat from the cathode outlet flow (48) to the inlet flow (41).

[0029] In some embodiments, the system (51) may be supplied with a variety of possible gaseous fuels (49) including natural gas. In embodiments utilizing natural gas, the fuel (49) may first pass through a desulfurizer (14) to remove sulfur that may contaminate the catalyst in the SOFC, or may include a step to achieve desulfurization using a desulfurizer or even desulfurization. In addition, the fuel may be metered through a main natural gas valve (13) and may then enter the system (51) as a main fuel source. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to properly condition the fuel through some type of regulator (50) before entering the SOFC stack (53) to ensure that the stack (53) operates efficiently and robustly as intended. In some embodiments, important considerations for the stack (53) as it relates to fuel supply may include: making the electrochemical reaction of the SOFC primarily directly consume hydrogen, and making the stack have a catalyst (54) that can convert, for example, methane and water into carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a strongly endothermic (absorptive) reaction that, if occurring in excessive concentrations, can cause overcooling and can be damaged by thermally induced stresses. Furthermore, hydrocarbons higher than methane may have an increased tendency to cause harmful carbon deposition (coking).

[0030] In some embodiments, a reformer (10) may be included in the system, or may be included as a step in the operation of the system (51) to condition the fuel (49) before it enters the SOFC stack (53) to help solve the stack refueling problem. The reformer (10) may also be included as a catalyst reactor (55), which may support several reactions, including, for example, the conversion of high hydrocarbons and water into carbon monoxide and hydrogen, possibly using endothermic reactions, the conversion of methane and water into carbon monoxide and hydrogen, possibly using endothermic methane steam reforming reactions, and the conversion of carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen using exothermic hot gas shift reactions. The water and heat required to promote these reactions can be provided by recycling, such as by recycling (56) a portion of the anode effluent (57) (which may contain heat from the system, as well as water from the electrochemical reactions of the SOFC); and mixing the recycle with fresh natural gas (58), which can then flow into the reformer (10). The reformer (10) can be an adiabatic (or nearly adiabatic, minimizing heat or mass transfer through the system) device in which the inlet gas (60) species and temperature, combined with the equilibrium chemistry between the various reactions, can determine the composition and temperature at the reformer outlet (61).

[0031] The flow recirculation (62) can be used with the aid of a recirculation blower (11) or an ejector. By setting the amount of anode effluent (57) recirculated, the conditions at the reformer outlet (61) can be controlled. The flow rate can be set to ensure that all high hydrocarbons are cracked, so that enough hydrogen is recycled in the flow recirculation (62) to prevent local fuel depletion within the stack (53), and an appropriate amount of methane is left in the flow (48) to help cool the SOFC, thereby enabling more electricity to be produced, but not enough to overcool and damage the stack (53). In an insulated design, the outlet of the reformer (10) can be significantly cooler than the inlet (63) due to the endothermic reaction, and can be heated to the operating temperature of the SOFC to prevent damage to the stack (53). This can be achieved with an anode heat exchanger (6), which can heat the anode inlet (64, 421) with the cathode outlet flow (48). In such an embodiment, a step of utilizing the anode heat exchanger (6) in a portion of the method can be included.

[0032] A portion of the fuel (49) supplied to the SOFC may remain unconsumed as it leaves the stack (53). Whatever fuel is not recirculated by the recirculation blower (11) may flow into the combustion chamber (12), thereby providing a step of utilizing the combustion chamber (12) where the fuel may be mixed with air or the like from the cathode exhaust in the cathode outlet stream (48) and combusted. This combustion process may both consume the remaining fuel (65) and further heat the already hot cathode exhaust in the cathode outlet stream (48), which may then flow into the turbine (3) to extract a degree of remaining energy.

[0033] Figure 2 is another exemplary embodiment of a SOFC-type system (51), in which a schematic diagram of power output is schematically shown. Figure 2Added can be conducive to the control and output of the power from the SOFC and the motor / generator (1) of the optional components. The power flow to the motor / generator (1) and from the motor / generator (1) and thus the control of the turbomachinery speed can be achieved by a power electronic device (18), which can include a driver, and may also be a variable frequency drive (66). Similarly, the load placed on the SOFC, and the power generated thereby, and the fuel consumed in the stack (53) can be achieved by a separate group of power electronic devices (18). In some embodiments, the system (51) is capable of outputting power as DC or AC and in an island mode or a grid synchronous mode. In the embodiment of outputting AC power, especially the voltage commonly used in industrial settings (e.g., 480V three-phase), for example, the voltage from the motor / generator (1) or the generator and the SOFC may need to be boosted to a higher level (e.g., 750V) by the power electronic device (18). In the case of an AC system, an inverter (20) can be used to generate the required frequency / voltage from the DC bus. To stabilize the DC bus (19), the battery (21) may be connected to the bus via its own battery power electronics (67). For grid (22) connected systems, the system (51) may be operated in a manner such that a supervisory control system (68) (with or without operator input (69)) may command the generation and output of a certain amount of power. However, for an islanded system, the system (51) may need to reactively respond to external electrical loads placed upon it. In this case, to prevent the SOFC / GT system from experiencing rapid transients, the battery (21) may be used to supply short-term electrical needs while the supervisory control system (68) slowly regulates the power output from the system (51) to supply external loads (e.g., its grid (22) or other loads) and recharges the battery (21) as needed.

[0034] Figure 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a SOFC-type system (51), schematically illustrating and including a startup assembly (70) and a shutdown assembly (71) connected as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, additional components may be beneficial in starting and shutting down the system (51) and may be included as additional safety mechanisms, such as Figure 3As shown. Once the system (51) is fully operational, it can become thermally self-sustaining. However, in order to reach the point where the SOFC can begin to generate electricity (and generate overheating), it may first be necessary to fully heat the stack (53). This heating can be achieved primarily by a resistive pressure vessel startup preheater (27) directly attached to the pressure vessel (9). The pressure vessel (9) itself can be the largest heat sink within the system (51) and can be preheated, such as by a pressure vessel startup preheater (27) to prevent heat from being drawn from the stack (53). As the shell (8) of the pressure vessel heats, all components within the vessel (including the stack (53) and piping) are also heated. This approach can allow the system (51) to be heated smoothly without burning any other equipment. In some embodiments, if necessary, an additional heat source can also come from the cathode startup preheater (26).

[0035] In some embodiments, in order to start up the GT system (51) partially independently of the SOFC, the reformer (10) may be adjusted to appropriate inlet conditions before refueling, and thus may include a supplemental natural gas valve (28) to supply fuel (49) directly to the combustion chamber (12). Once the SOFC stack (53) and reformer (10) exceed certain temperatures during startup and shutdown, it may be necessary to protect the catalyst (54) from oxygen to prevent degradation. This can be achieved by a purge system (72) with gas (30), which can mainly supply nitrogen to displace atmospheric or other oxygen. Secondly, a small amount of hydrogen can be added to the flow hole as a first reaction supplement (73) to create a reducing environment to consume any oxygen that may leak into the system (especially through the SOFC components). This purge flow (74) can be supplied to the system (51) during startup and shutdown through a valve (29) that introduces a reducing gas flow. Such a reducing gas can have a variety of compositions, including but not limited to, such as 5% (or other percentages) of H 2 In N 2 In order for the reformer (10) to begin converting high hydrocarbons to lower molecular weight species, and possibly produce the hydrogen required to initialize the SOFC, some water (33) may first need to be mixed with the fuel (49) via the second reactor make-up (75) (with or without the first reactor make-up (73)) before entering the reformer. This can be done by starting the steam generator (32) and by H 2 O valve (31) metering.

[0036] To support system safety, several additional valves may be incorporated into the system. First, there may be a bleed valve (23). The valve (23) may have two key functions, but is not limited to these functions. First, in the event that the compressor (2) is approaching a destructive stall / surge event, the valve (23) may be opened to increase the flow from the compressor (2) and move the compressor state away from its stall / surge state or line. Second, in the event that the load on the motor / generator (1) is lost while the system (51) is running, which may result in excessive acceleration of the turbomachinery (1, 2, 3), the bleed bypass valve (23) may be opened to add additional load to the compressor to compensate for the loss of the generator load. A hot air bypass valve (25) may be added to allow the airflow from the compressor (2) to largely bypass the SOFC during startup and shutdown via the compressor exhaust. Then, as the hot air bypass valve (25) is gradually closed, an increasing proportion of the flow from the hot air bypass compressor can be diverted through the SOFC as the compressed exhaust gas (47) is diverted until once the valve (25) is fully closed, all of the flow passes through the compressor to the SOFC path. In some embodiments, a cold air bypass valve (24) can be added to the system to bypass the turbine regenerator (4) to help further control the temperature within the system.

[0037] Note that the above components and configurations are not an exhaustive list of all components required or possible for operation or system configuration. In certain embodiments, the present technology may include, but is not limited to, selecting variations on the system architecture detailed below:

[0038] The recirculation blower (11) may be replaced by an ejector (78). The ejector (78) may be a device that can draw in flow from a suction port by accelerating and then decelerating flow from a motive flow. In this case, the motive flow, and the power used to drive the ejector (78) may come from the incoming fuel or possibly from the natural gas flow (77), and the suction port may be connected to the anode outlet (29, 521) or the anode manifold outlet (79). This approach has the potential to be cheaper and more robust than a recirculation blower (11), however, it removes one control variable and may be less efficient.

[0039] • The number of SOFC stacks (53) and their electrical configuration and type are completely variable based on the desired system efficiency and cost. Similarly, the power produced by the turbomachinery (1, 2, 3) is variable relative to the SOFCs.

[0040] The reformer (10) may be isothermal (e.g., external heat transfer maintains the internal gas at a constant temperature) rather than adiabatic. In this case, the amount of external reforming may be reduced, resulting in less methane cooling the stack (53). However, under certain conditions this may be desirable and would also eliminate the need for an anode heat exchanger (6).

[0041] If sufficient heat is present in the turbine outlet or turbine exhaust (46) via the GT flow path (35), or sufficient heat can be passively transferred from components within the pressure vessel (9) to the cathode inlet stream, or stream (41), then the cathode regenerator may be able to be removed. Removing this component may be desirable because it may add additional pressure drop (e.g., power loss) to the system 51 as well as additional external heat losses (due to increased surface area) and increased system cost.

[0042] The cathode pre-heater (26) can be removed and only the pressure vessel pre-heater (27) used. This can reduce the response time of adding additional heat to the gas stream, but it can remove components (added cost) and can reduce the pressure drop through the system 51.

[0043] • Depending on the control strategy for startup, shutdown and load transients, the hot air and cold air bypass valves (25, 24) can potentially be removed.

[0044] The system (51) can also be powered by alternative fuels (49) and alternative fuel streams, or incoming fuel streams (77). If a hydrogen fuel stream is available, the reformer (10) can be eliminated and hydrogen can be used directly. Other hydrocarbon fuels can also be used with changes to the reformer (10) recipe.

[0045] • The fuel flow or fuel gas flow (77) may be preheated via the exhaust (17) or exhaust flow of the system or through a heat exchanger having any other flow path in the system.

[0046] ●The system can be operated unpressurized rather than pressurized.

[0047] The system can be operated in reverse, such as converting steam (or steam and carbon dioxide) and electricity into oxygen and hydrogen (or hydrogen and carbon monoxide) as part of a SOEC system.

[0048] As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0049] In some embodiments, due to the mechanical design of the SOFC (and SOEC) stack (53), the system (51) may generally have approximately the same internal and external pressures to minimize mechanical stress and stack leakage that may otherwise be caused by differential pressures. When the stack (53) within the SOFC / GT system is operated under pressure, this may require that the stack be contained within a pressure vessel (9). Considering that the stack (53) is hot and may be placed within a pressure vessel (9), careful design is beneficial in creating the system (51). Some considerations in this regard may include:

[0050] • To ensure consistent operation, cathode and anode flow distribution between different stacks (53) may need to be uniform. This may be difficult to achieve due to the complexity of connecting all stacks (53) in a limited area while also minimizing pressure drop (which has a direct impact on system efficiency).

[0051] • To maximize efficiency, it may be necessary that the pressure vessel (9) is well isolated from external heat losses, and this has specific sub-considerations:

[0052] o The pressure vessel (9) may be pressurized by the gas turbine (3), meaning there may be pressurization at the flow path (80) between the two elements. Prior work has shown that any insulation within the pressure vessel (9) has the potential to break off and enter the turbine (3) or other components which may be damaged.

[0053] o When the system 51 is shut down, the pressure within the pressure vessel 9 drops. If this happens too quickly, any insulation within the pressure vessel may experience explosive decompression as air trapped within and behind the insulation expands, which may cause damage to the insulation.

[0054] o The mechanical structure within the pressure vessel (9) may be quite complex and may be difficult to insulate.

[0055] • Any leaks of hydrogen or other fuel into the pressure vessel (9) could potentially become quite dangerous, particularly if they accumulated to explosive levels within a portion of the pressure vessel (9) without significant gas flow, or became trapped and concentrated within a portion of the internal insulation.

[0056] When the system (51) heats up to operating temperature, significant thermal growth often occurs, causing all the stacks (53) to move away from each other. This can create challenges for any manifolding and support structures within the pressure vessel (9). It may be beneficial to carefully design the system 51 to ensure that thermal growth of components within the vessel 9 does not cause thermally induced stresses that could damage the hardware.

[0057] During shutdown, compressed cathode air may flow backward through the compressor (20) as the internal pressurized gas expands and escapes back to the atmosphere. If the flow through the cathode portion of the stack (53) is reversed during this event and combustion products enter the stack (53), this may damage the SOFC.

[0058] The stack may require compressive forces to prevent the individual cell layers from separating. The compression mechanism (81) may also need to survive thermal expansion of the stack to operating temperature, and more challengingly, survive the thermal conditions within the stack (53) or pressure vessel (9) without adversely affecting the compressive forces.

[0059] Figure 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell assembly (82) and a pressure vessel (9, 100). In such a system, some of the above considerations may be taken into account, such as in Figure 4 In the pressure vessel embodiment shown. As implemented herein, it may be beneficial to utilize a pressure vessel (100) that itself serves as a cathode inlet plenum (200), which may be a "closed container interior space plenum for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked first functional electrode inlets". This can provide several advantages, including ensuring uniform flow distribution between different stacks (53), ensuring uniform flow distribution between different battery cells (52) within each stack, etc. It can also eliminate sizable cathode manifolds, which otherwise may be required to distribute flows to or from these different stacks (53). With this design, all components within the pressure vessel (100) can be surrounded by the cathode inlet flow (41) before the flow enters the stack (53). This can allow the cathode inlet flow (41) to recover a certain amount of heat from surrounding components, which otherwise may be lost. This can also be used to add additional heat to the incoming cathode air of the cathode inlet flow (41), and can eliminate an otherwise expensive cathode regenerator (5).

[0060] like Fig.13 As specifically shown in the figure, a configuration can be selected, purchased, operated or constructed so that the system can be regarded as establishing a "closed container interior space collecting chamber for multiple electrochemical cell stacks, stacked first functional electrode inlets", and even providing a collecting chamber that implements the steps of completely surrounding and accommodating each of the multiple stacked first functional electrode inlets.

[0061] In other embodiments, the system may be configured to also or separately completely surround and contain multiple stacked second functional electrode outlets. In addition, the system may include a variety of manifolds. There may be: a first functional electrode outlet manifold, which may be connected to each of the stacked first functional electrode outlets; a second functional electrode inlet manifold, which may be connected to each of the stacked second functional electrode inlets; and a second functional electrode outlet manifold, which may be connected to each of the stacked second functional electrode outlets. Similarly, a configuration may be selected, purchased or constructed so that the system can be considered to establish a first functional electrode outlet manifold, connect the first functional electrode outlet manifold to each of the stacked first functional electrode outlets, establish a second functional electrode inlet manifold, and connect the second functional electrode inlet manifold to each of the stacked second functional electrode inlets, and establish a second functional electrode outlet manifold, and connect the second functional electrode outlet manifold to each of the stacked second functional electrode outlets. When such a manifold is included, the system can be configured to complete the steps of surrounding at least a portion of the second functional electrode inlet manifold and surrounding at least a portion of the second functional electrode outlet manifold. Other embodiments may also include a 'closed container interior space plenum for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked first functional electrode inlets' configured to surround each of the second functional electrode inlet manifold and the second functional outlet manifold. Additional embodiments may be configured to establish substantially equivalent environmental inlet conditions for each of the plurality of first functional electrode elements, or may include the step of establishing substantially equivalent environmental inlet conditions for each of the first functional electrode elements.

[0062] In some embodiments surrounding all components at the cathode inlet flow (41), the internal temperature can vary between 750°C and 850°C, with cooler temperatures outside the stack (53) and hotter temperatures at the outlet (83) of the stack (due to heat released within the SOFC). This approach is referred to herein as the "hot pressure vessel" concept. In this embodiment, all or most of the insulation (300) can now be placed outside the pressure vessel. This can have several advantages, including greatly simplifying the design of the insulation (300) (e.g., it can be placed around a relatively smooth cylindrical body, rather than surrounding complex components within the pressure vessel (100)). Placing the insulation outside the pressure vessel (100) eliminates the possibility of the insulation (300) undergoing explosive decomposition or otherwise entering the gas flow and damaging components within the system (51). Similarly, by not placing the insulation (300) within the pressure vessel, hydrogen and other fuels will not be trapped within the insulation (300) and create a potential hazard. Furthermore, any hydrogen that leaks from the anode manifold into the pressure vessel (100) will immediately burn due to the presence of oxygen in the cathode plenum containing the cathode inlet flow (41) and the fact that the cathode inlet flow is well above the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen, 585°C (although this sounds dangerous, it may be preferable to allowing a large amount of fuel to accumulate within the pressure vessel (100) and explode).

[0063] In another embodiment, another advantage of the thermal pressure vessel concept is that most of the volume of the system can be kept in the cathode plenum containing the cathode inlet flow (41). During rapid decompression, flow can exit through the GT's compressor (2) and turbine (3). However, since the cathode plenum containing the cathode inlet flow (41) can be the largest reservoir of compressed air, this air can flow both through the stack (53) to the turbine (3) and back to the compressor (2). Therefore, reverse flow through the stack (53) does not occur.

[0064] Figure 5 is another exemplary embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell assembly (82) and a pressure vessel (9). In some embodiments, when the system is heated to operating temperature, all components within the heating region (possibly within the pressure vessel (9)) may expand away from each other. To address this issue, embodiments may include a fully adaptive thermal expansion-contraction electrochemical cell stack mount. With such a mount, the system may be able to substantially fully or fully adaptively thermally expand and contract multiple connected individual electrochemical cell stacks within a closed container interior space plenum for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, a stacked first functional electrode inlet, as the temperature changes to and from ambient temperature to a maximum operating temperature. As Figure 5As also shown in , in addition to accommodating only thermal expansion and contraction of the stack, embodiments may also have elements that account for expansion and contraction of the manifold. Figure 5 As shown in , the pressure vessel (9) and even the stacked first functional electrode inlet pressure collecting chamber (43) can be sized to include not only any or all of the various manifolds (as shown), but also each of their thermal expansion and contraction. In this embodiment, the manifold may be located entirely, mostly or partially within the interior space of the enclosed container multiple electrochemical cell stacks, stacked first functional electrode inlet collecting chambers. In addition, the manifold can be designed as a substantially fully adaptable thermal expansion-contraction manifold, such as having an accordion-type expansion tube, expansion joint or other known elements. In addition, the pressure vessel (9) or the stacked first functional electrode inlet collecting chamber (43) can have a fully dimensionally adaptable thermal expansion-contraction interior space. And, as can be seen from Fig.13 It is understood that where only some of the manifolds (such as the anode inlet manifold (89) and the anode outlet manifold (90)) are within the plenum chamber, the system can be operated to achieve any or all of the following steps: substantially fully adaptively thermally expand and contract at least a portion of a second functional electrode inlet manifold within the plenum chamber of the enclosed container interior space for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked first functional electrode inlets; substantially fully adaptively thermally expand and contract at least a portion of a second functional electrode outlet manifold within the plenum chamber of the enclosed container interior space for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked first functional electrode inlets; or the like relative to any manifold.

[0065] As described above, embodiments may include a fully adaptable thermal expansion-contraction electrochemical cell stack mount. This may accommodate the expansion-contraction of the stack itself. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in , embodiments may include mounting all stacks (53) on a manifold, which may be such as a cathode outlet manifold (111), which may then serve as the main support structure (e.g. Figure 5as shown), with or without a mounting bracket on the manifold. More generally, embodiments of the present invention may be configured to include any one or all of the following: a substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion mount, a manifold stack mount (stack mount), and / or a stack mounting bracket on which each of a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks may be mounted. The manifold stack mount (an example of which may be the cathode outlet manifold (111) used as a mount as shown) may be a first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount, a second functional electrode inlet manifold stack mount, or a second functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount. The step of mounting a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks by a substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion mount (such as by using a single material) may allow for adaptively more uniform expansion and contraction. Additionally, when operating the system, the step of utilizing the manifold stack mount may be implemented, and this may include utilizing the first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount, utilizing the second functional electrode inlet manifold stack mount, or utilizing the second functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount. There may be various benefits to a configuration generally having an electrochemical cell support manifold, and there may be: an electrochemical cell support outlet manifold or the step of implementing support for an electrochemical cell stack through a first functional electrode outlet manifold; having a first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount; establishing a first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount; having a second functional electrode outlet manifold with substantially complete adaptive thermal expansion and contraction; or substantially completely adaptively thermally expanding and contracting for the internal space of the closed container of a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the plenum chamber of the stacked first functional electrode inlets, the second functional electrode outlet manifold. First, using only one example, since there is no limitation, the cathode outlet manifold (111) expands along the length of the pressure vessel (9), and it can expand freely without causing internal mechanical stress. In this design, this may eliminate the need for an expensive expansion joint on the cathode side. Second, by combining the cathode outlet manifold (111) and the stack support structure into a single component (such as the pressure vessel (9)), the complexity, size, and cost of the system can be reduced. Additionally, when cooling the structure, the cathode outlet manifold (111) may support the stack assembly (82), and the pressure vessel body retracts via the step of rolling components within the closed container (such as on roller elements (222)), retracts via the step of utilizing a sliding component of the closed container on a sliding element (such as Figure 4 as shown), or some other type of interface to enable easy access.

[0066] Figure 5 Also visible is a possible method of supporting and mounting structure (333) for the stack (53). Two (or more / less) stacks (53) may be loosely mounted to the mounting bracket (334) (allowing for thermal growth), Figure 5A total of three mounting brackets are shown (although more or fewer are possible). In some embodiments, this may include a stack mounting bracket, each of a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks being mounted on the stack mounting bracket, or may include the step of utilizing a stack mounting bracket, each of a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks being mounted on the stack mounting bracket. In some embodiments, these mounting brackets (334) may then be mounted to the cathode outlet header (335) of the cathode outlet (or other) manifold (111). Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket (334) and the mounting structure (533) is shown. This shows how the cathode inlet and flow (121) enter through the front of the stack (53) and then flow into the outlet plenum chamber (221), where the flows from two stacks can be combined before leaving to enter the cathode outlet manifold (321).

[0067] Due to the SOFC stack (53) design (alternating anodes, electrolytes, cathodes, current collectors, flow paths, and seal layers fused together), a compressive load may be required to prevent separation of the various components due to thermal expansion and pressure. This is shown as Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Fig.11 the gravitational load in and Figure 7 and Fig.13 the spring compression load in. To prevent damage to the stack, a compressive force of several hundred pounds (several hundred kilograms) may be required. This force (within certain limits) can be maintained from the point where the stack (53) first fuses together during assembly (despite transportation and installation) up to the operating temperature within the SOFC / GT system (51) and back to ambient temperature. This challenge is exacerbated by the high-temperature environment, and the compression mechanism (81) (as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 7 ) may need to survive in the high-temperature environment. It should be noted that the same compression mechanism (81) may not need to be applied during transportation and installation / operation. Embodiments may include the step of compressing the stack mount or the individual connected electrochemical cell stacks. Focusing on the methods employed during installation and operation, embodiments (such as the embodiment shown in Fig.13 ) may include a compression tie rod (94), a compression element, and / or a spring element (91) and possibly the steps of utilizing the compression tie rod, utilizing the compression element, and / or utilizing the spring element (91).

[0068] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to provide a compression element, possibly a spring element (91), on the exterior (92) of the container or plenum chamber. Thus, embodiments may have at least a partially container-exterior compressible stack mount and the step of at least partially container-exterior compressing each connected individual electrochemical cell stack. In some embodiments, as shown in Fig.13As shown, this can include steps of at least partially externally of the container a spring element (91) or at least partially externally of the container using a spring element. Further embodiments can include a thermal barrier (93) that is configured to thermally isolate or substantially thermally isolate at least a portion of the externally of the container compressible stack mount or to thermally isolate substantially each of the steps for at least a portion of the externally of the container compression-connected individual electrochemical cell stacks from the enclosed container internal space plenum for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the first functional electrode inlet of the stack. Embodiments can also include steps of non-high-temperature compressible stack mount and / or non-high-temperature compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks.

[0069] Figure 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell stack mount (334). In Figure 7 two methods are presented and shown: a spring (201) and self-weight (101). The self-weight (101) can simply be a mass placed on top of the stack to provide the required compressive force by gravitational loading. The benefit of this method is that it is simple and highly reliable, not affected by temperature changes, and continues to apply the same load even when the stack undergoes thermal expansion and contraction. One possible drawback is that it can be heavy (requiring additional support structures) and may not be suitable for mobile applications, at least in part due to inertial loading that can cause the self-weight (101) to temporarily disengage from the top of the stack (53), thereby removing the critical compressive load.

[0070] As described above, among other possibilities, the compression mechanism (81) can be configured for gravity-based compression or spring-based compression or a combination thereof. As Figure 7 shown, a series of compression springs (201) can be used to provide part or all of the required compressive force. The benefit of this method is that the springs are much lighter than the self-weight (101) because they use internal strain to store the compressive force. Similarly, due to their light weight and the fact that they do not rely on gravity to apply the compressive load, they are more immune to inertial loading and more suitable for mobile applications. One possible difficulty in implementing the springs (201) can be the high operating temperatures experienced within the SOFC / GT system. At these temperatures, if these springs (201) are not properly designed (although springs have been designed to operate under these conditions for the present application), the strength of the suitable spring material drops significantly and material creep can cause loss of compressive force over time. Figure 7 The left stack in

[0071] In some embodiments, various variations of the pressure vessel (9) and the stack mounting design discussed above are possible. Embodiments may include a variety of variations such as, but not limited to, the following:

[0072] ● One potential problem with the hot vessel concept is material cost. The cost of the pressure vessel can be reduced by switching to a low-temperature alloy (less expensive) and installing a refractory lining (85) or a thermal barrier (93), each as Fig.13 shown. Such a lining can act as a high-temperature thermal insulation layer, thereby keeping the shell (8) of the pressure vessel (9) at a lower temperature and allowing a potentially more cost-effective design.

[0073] ● In addition to using the self-weight (101) and springs (201) to provide stack compression, this force can also be applied by other mechanisms such as pneumatic actuation. With a pneumatic design, pneumatic actuators (84) can be installed on each stack (53) and connected to a pneumatic source (85) outside the pressure vessel (9), as Figure 2 shown. This method can allow the compression load to be dynamically controlled (by changing the air pressure), verified (by monitoring the air pressure), and easily compensated for temperature and thermal expansion variations.

[0074] Other aspects of mounting the stacks may include:

[0075] ● In the illustrated embodiment, only six stacks (53) are shown on three mounting brackets.

[0076] In other embodiments, the method can be adapted to more or fewer stacks (53) as needed to meet the desired system power level, efficiency, and / or hydrogen (or other gas) production rate.

[0077] ● The vessel design can be used as part of a SOFC or SOEC system.

[0078] ● The inlet (121) and outlet (321) of the cathode can be reversed (e.g., the inlet plenum (shown as element (121) in Figure 6 ), and the outlet manifold (shown as element (321) in Figure 6 ) can be reversed so that the flow enters and leaves the inlet plenum through the manifold).

[0079] ● The cathode (41, 48) and anode (64, 79) flows can be exchanged such that the cathode flow is contained within the anode lines (shown as elements (421, 521) in Figure 6 ), and the anode flow is contained within the cathode lines (shown as elements (121, 321) in Figure 6 ).

[0080] Figure 8is an exemplary illustration of the conventional cathode flow and stack temperature distribution. In planar SOFCs (and SOECs), the stack (53) can be subject to large thermal gradients along the width and height of the stack (53) (perpendicular to the flow direction). These thermal gradients can be caused by significant heat losses through the stack surface to the surrounding environment, resulting in the edges (86) of the stack being much colder than the core (87) (as Figure 8 shown). This can be disadvantageous for several reasons, including reduced efficiency due to the edges (86) of the stack operating at lower (and less efficient) temperatures compared to the core (87), the need to provide additional flow to the cathode to prevent overheating of the core (87), thermally induced stresses within the stack (53), etc.

[0081] For SOFCs, the cathode flow can serve both as an oxidant for the electrochemical reaction and as a heat transfer medium to carry out the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction from the stack (53). The purpose of the described embodiment is to form a non-uniform flow distribution on the cathode surface so that the cathode flow velocity in each region of the stack matches the heat that the cathode flow can carry away. By doing so, the temperature across the width and height of the stack can be more uniform compared to conventional methods (e.g., a constant distribution of the cathode flow across the surface). By maintaining a more uniform temperature, the efficiency of the system (51) can be improved by increasing the temperature of the stack (53) along the edges (86) to be closer to the optimal maximum temperature of the core (87), reducing the required cathode flow velocity (thereby reducing parasitic losses), and reducing the thermally induced mechanical stresses within the stack (53).

[0082] Fig. 9 is a simplified illustration of the cathode air flow before and after entering the stack and an exemplary illustration of the axial temperature distribution for an embodiment of the present technology. The non-uniform cathode flow distribution described in this embodiment can be compensated for by arranging devices such as at least one axial flow regulator for the electrochemical cell stack or by implementing steps to establish differential axial flow within at least one electrochemical cell stack. The axial flow regulator for the electrochemical cell stack can be placed in the cathode fluid flow and is conceptually shown as a gradient distribution plate (99) in Fig. 9 and in Fig.11is shown more literally as a gradient distribution plate (444). This can more generally be at least one electrochemical cell axial flow regulating plate, or can be achieved by steps of utilizing at least one electrochemical cell axial flow regulating plate or steps of utilizing at least one gradient distribution plate, which can increase the pressure drop around the stack edge (86) compared to the core (87). The plate or other electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulators can be fixed, variable, or even replaceable, so embodiments can have at least one fixed gradient distribution plate or can achieve steps of utilizing at least one fixed gradient distribution plate during operation. The increased pressure drop in the edge regions of the stack (53) results in less cathode flow through these regions and more flow in the core regions with lower pressure drop (under the same flow conditions) to achieve a more uniform flow throughout the stack (53).

[0083] The gradient distribution plate (99) can be produced using a variety of methods. Fig. 9 One possible method represented has a plate with a series of holes that are larger at the center (which can result in more flow / heat transfer through the core (87) of the stack) and gradually become smaller as they get closer to the stack edge (86) (resulting in less cathode flow / heat transfer in these regions). The flow distribution can be optimized based on the stack design and operating conditions; a conceptual example of the gradient is shown in Fig.10 where the lighter shading indicates less restricted flow by the electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator.

[0084] The gradient distribution plate (99) can be placed before or after the stack (53). Based on hydrodynamics that can result in a smoother flow field gradient, it may be preferred to place the distribution plate after the stack (53) and slightly offset. Fig.11 One possible implementation of the fixed gradient distribution plate (444) is shown in

[0085] There are multiple embodiments of this basic concept of electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulators and even gradient distribution plates (99) or devices. The electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulators can be formed in various ways, including plates with variable distributions of holes (as described previously), variable thickness porous materials, steps of utilizing variable thickness porous materials, a set of sieves that can include at least one stacked multi-sieve assembly, steps of utilizing at least one stacked multi-sieve assembly, each sieve assembly having circular holes that vary from large to small from the center and stacked on top of each sieve assembly to form a gradient of pressure drop (only a few are described). Regardless of the physical implementation of the device or electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator, this embodiment involves the process of changing the cathode flow axially across the surface of the stack to improve system performance.

[0086] In addition to the fixed distribution device (88) described above, the flow distribution device (88) can also be controlled passively or actively. One embodiment of a controllable flow distribution device can include the use of two distribution plates placed on top of each other, the two distribution plates having multiple pairs of openings, and when one plate moves relative to the other, the distribution of these openings will change, or the relative sizes of these openings will change. The movement of these plates relative to each other can be done manually (e.g., as part of a tuning process) or controlled by some active or passive device to achieve the desired flow and / or temperature distribution and system operation. Other embodiments of passively or actively controlling the flow distribution device (88) are systems that can change the size of the holes and change the associated pressure drop based on the temperature or others through each section of the distribution plate (99). Exemplary implementations include using materials with a high rate of thermal expansion or actively controlled via piezoelectric bodies, etc.

[0087] In some embodiments, the control of the SOFC / GT system may be an important consideration in system design. Related to the control of the system (51), some embodiments may include but are not limited to:

[0088] ● Advantageously, the control strategy is robust, protects the system in the case of component failures, and is able to adapt to changes in system performance as environmental conditions change and as the system ages.

[0089] ● The control strategy can maximize system performance and efficiency.

[0090] ● The control strategy is able to adapt to changing electrical load demands.

[0091] A complex set of control strategies may be required to effectively and robustly control the SOFC / GT system (51). Many of these strategies can employ known components. However, several embodiments may be novel and add strength to the described SOFC / GT system.

[0092] For clarity, in some embodiments, the amount of electricity generated by the SOFC / GT system (51) can be controlled by adjusting the amount of fuel (49) supplied to the system (51). The system (51) may be mainly controlled to operate as efficiently as possible. One way to improve efficiency can be to maximize the efficiency and power production of the SOFC (since it generates electricity more efficiently than the GT). Analysis shows that based on material constraints, the efficiency of the SOFC can be maximized by keeping the stack (53) at an allowable high temperature. This can be achieved by implementing components such as a supervisory control system (68) at the closed-loop controller, which can even monitor the maximum temperature of the stack and can adjust the electrical load placed on the stack (53) to maintain the desired temperature.

[0093] Analysis also shows that the efficiency of the SOFC / GT system can be maximized by maintaining the turbine inlet temperature at a high temperature allowed based on material constraints. This can be achieved by a closed-loop controller that monitors the turbine inlet temperature and adjusts the speed of the GT to maintain the desired set point.

[0094] As an example, in some embodiments, the system (51) can start at 90% power output, and both the stack (53) and the turbine inlet temperature are at their desired temperature values. The system can now transition from 90% to 100% power output by increasing the fuel flow rate accordingly. This fuel flow can first pass through the stack (53), which may be only slightly affected by the change in fuel concentration and continue to consume the same amount of fuel (49). However, now more fuel may leave the stack (53) and enter the combustion chamber (12), resulting in an increase in the turbine inlet temperature. Then, the turbine inlet temperature controller of the supervisory control system (68) can respond by increasing the speed / flow rate from the compressor (2) to dilute the added heat and bring the turbine inlet temperature back to the desired level. The increase in the compressed flow rate through the stack (53) can increase the heat transferred away from the stack (53), causing the temperature inside the stack to drop. Then, the maximum stack temperature controller of the supervisory control system (68) can increase the load applied to the stack (53) to release more heat and bring the stack (53) back to temperature. Increasing the stack load consumes more fuel (49), resulting in less fuel flowing to the combustion chamber and thus a lower turbine inlet temperature. These two control loops can work in concert to achieve a steady-state operating point where both the maximum stack temperature and the turbine inlet temperature can reach their desired values (there may be only a single speed / stack load combination that results in this operation). If these are configured as closed-loop controls and are properly designed and tuned, there may be no significant oscillations when changing the power output level. By using the described closed-loop control strategy, the efficiency of the system can be optimized using relatively simple control methods.

[0095] In some embodiments, a method for high-efficiency power production may include, but is not limited to, the following steps: capturing thermal energy and excess fuel from the SOFC; providing the captured SOFC thermal energy to the turbine flow path; capturing turbine waste heat used in the electrochemical reaction in the SOFC; preheating the SOFC cathode flow; and determining and optimizing the recycled heat from the cathode outlet for other processes. These steps can be done manually by an operator or done automatically through passive or active control. In some embodiments, parameters such as the percentage of thermal energy capture can be achieved through passive control of measuring the waste heat flow rate or another system parameter such as temperature, fuel flow rate, fuel combustion percentage, etc.

[0096] As described above, a variety of electrochemical cell types and systems can be used in embodiments. Some are detailed below:

[0097] (1) Solid oxide fuel cell: A fuel gas such as hydrogen, methane, and / or a mixture gas (H 2 +CO) is fed to the fuel electrode channels, air or oxygen is fed to the oxygen electrode channels, oxygen is converted into oxygen ions at the oxygen electrode, the oxygen ions conduct through the ceramic electrolyte, and then these oxygen ions oxidize the fuel at the fuel electrode. This provides an efficient means of generating electricity from the fuel.

[0098] (2) High-temperature steam electrolysis (or solid oxide electrolysis): Steam or a mixture of hydrogen and steam is supplied to the fuel electrode, and electricity is applied between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode so that oxygen ions are separated from the steam at the fuel electrode to form hydrogen. These oxygen ions conduct through the ceramic electrolyte and recombine at the oxygen electrode to form oxygen molecules. Often, a purge gas (air or carbon dioxide) is passed through these oxygen electrode channels to purge out the oxygen generated at these oxygen electrodes. The oxygen generated at the oxygen electrode can also be collected, which provides an efficient means of producing hydrogen from steam.

[0099] (3) Reversible solid oxide cell: A solid oxide cell may also operate reversibly in fuel cell and electrolysis modes. For example, a reversible solid oxide cell can be used for long-term energy storage to support the power grid using large amounts of intermittent renewable energy. The solid oxide cell produces hydrogen during periods of low power demand and electricity during periods of high power demand.

[0100] (4) High-temperature co-electrolysis: Steam and carbon dioxide (or a mixture of steam, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen) are supplied to the fuel electrode, and electricity is applied between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode so that oxygen ions are separated from the steam and carbon dioxide at the fuel electrode to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide. These oxygen ions conduct through the ceramic electrolyte and recombine at the oxygen electrode to form oxygen molecules. Often, a purge gas (air or carbon dioxide) is passed through these oxygen electrode channels to purge out the oxygen generated at these oxygen electrodes. The oxygen generated at the oxygen electrode can also be collected. This provides an efficient means of producing syngas (hydrogen plus carbon monoxide) from steam and carbon dioxide; then this syngas can be easily converted into liquid fuels and / or value-added chemicals via commercially practiced chemical synthesis techniques.

[0101] (5) High-temperature carbon dioxide electrolysis: Carbon dioxide is supplied to the fuel electrode, and an electric power is applied between the fuel and oxygen electrodes to separate oxygen ions from carbon dioxide at the fuel electrode to form carbon monoxide. These oxygen ions are conducted through the ceramic electrolyte and recombine at the oxygen electrode to form oxygen molecules. A purge gas (air) is passed through the oxygen electrode channels to purge the oxygen generated at the oxygen electrode. The oxygen generated at the oxygen electrode can also be collected. This provides an efficient means of producing carbon monoxide (and oxygen) from carbon dioxide. The carbon monoxide produced by electrolysis of CO 2 can be used as a raw material for manufacturing liquid fuels and / or value-added chemicals through commercially practiced chemical synthesis techniques. The oxygen generated from carbon dioxide can be used for life support (e.g., on Mars).

[0102] (6) Electrochemical separation of oxygen from air: This is another form of electrolysis in which air is supplied to a set of electrode channels, an electric power is applied between these electrodes to cause oxygen ions to be generated at one electrode, these oxygen ions are conducted through the ceramic electrolyte, and these oxygen ions recombine at the opposite electrode to form oxygen molecules. The purified oxygen is then collected.

[0103] There are other types of electrochemical cells and stacks of electrochemical cells in which the proposed technology can be used. These include:

[0104] (1) High-temperature proton-conducting ceramic electrolytes. For these types of electrochemical cells, the ceramic electrolyte is a proton conductor and the operating temperature is in the range of 500 to 600 °C. To generate electricity in the fuel cell mode, hydrogen and air are supplied to the opposite electrodes, hydrogen molecules are converted into hydrogen ions (protons) at the fuel electrode, and the protons are conducted through the electrolyte membrane and react with oxygen to form steam at the oxygen electrode. To produce hydrogen from steam, an electric power is applied to the two electrodes, steam is fed into a set of electrode channels, hydrogen ions (protons) are separated from the steam at the fuel electrode, the protons are conducted through the electrolyte membrane to the opposite electrode, at which the protons recombine and form hydrogen molecules, and the hydrogen is collected.

[0105] (2) Molten carbonate fuel cells. For this type of electrochemical system, the electrolyte membrane is a mixture of lithium carbonate and potassium carbonate, the conductive species is carbonate ions (CO 3 ), and the operating temperature is in the range of 600 °C to 700 °C. In the fuel cell mode for power generation, oxygen reacts with CO 2 at the oxygen electrode to form carbonate ions, the carbonate ions are conducted through the electrolyte to the fuel electrode, and at the fuel electrode hydrogen reacts with the carbonate to form steam and carbon dioxide. In the electrolysis mode, steam and carbon dioxide react at the fuel electrode to form hydrogen and carbonate ions, the carbonate ions are conducted through the electrolyte to the oxygen electrode, and the carbonate ions are converted to carbon dioxide and oxygen at the oxygen electrode.

[0106] (3) Phosphoric acid fuel cells. For this type of fuel cell, the electrolyte membrane is phosphoric acid, the conducting species is hydrogen ions (protons), and the operating temperature is in the range of 150 °C to 200 °C.

[0107] (4) Proton exchange membrane fuel cells and electrolyzers. For this type of electrochemical system, the electrolyte membrane is a polymeric material, the conducting species is hydrogen ions (protons), and the operating temperature is typically in the range of 60 °C to 80 °C. With different types of polymeric membranes, higher operating temperatures (10 to 200 °C) are also possible.

[0108] (5) Alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers. For this type of electrochemical system, the electrolyte membrane is an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, the conducting species is hydroxyl ions (OH), and the operating temperature is in the range of 60 to 80 °C.

[0109] Thus, it should be understood that embodiments may include: generally solid oxide electrochemical cells, power generation electrochemical cells, electrolytic cells, gaseous species generating electrochemical cells, solid oxide fuel cells, or solid oxide electrolytic cells. Similarly, operating the system may include the steps of: providing a plurality of power generation electrochemical cell stacks; providing a plurality of gaseous species generating electrochemical cell stacks; providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide electrochemical cell stacks; providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide fuel cell stacks; or providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide electrolytic cell stacks. Additionally, the cells for any of the above may be: proton exchange membrane cells, direct methanol cells, alkaline cells, phosphoric acid cells, molten carbonate cells, solid oxide cells, solid oxide proton conducting cells, or high temperature proton exchange membrane cells. Similarly, operating the system may include the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks selected from: proton exchange membrane cell stacks, direct methanol cell stacks, alkaline cell stacks, phosphoric acid cell stacks, molten carbonate cell stacks, solid oxide cell stacks, solid oxide proton conducting cells, and high temperature proton exchange membrane cell stacks.

[0110] When considering each of the possible embodiments' configurations, the following considerations may be helpful:

[0111] (1) For many solid oxide fuel cell and electrolysis applications, the system can be relatively large (on the scale of hundreds of kilowatts to hundreds of megawatts), and it is not practical to build a system including a single stack. Thus, it may be necessary to combine multiple stacks or multiple modules including multiple stacks into the system. Therefore, key system design considerations may be the means for combining multiple stacks into modules and for supplying reactant gases to each stack or module in the system. The present invention describes useful methods for achieving such modularity.

[0112] (2) Maximizing the efficiency of solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers may require high reactant utilization (e.g., high fuel utilization for fuel cell mode operation or high steam utilization for electrolysis mode operation). For the case of high-temperature electrolysis, a certain amount of hydrogen in the steam feed may be required to keep nickel-based fuel electrodes in their metallic state. For these reasons, reactant recycle methods are often employed. This recycle can be achieved by physical means (blowers) or passive means (injectors). Another recycle method is cascading, whereby the spent fuel and / or air leaving one stack is fed to the fuel and / or air input of a second stack.

[0113] (3) For those skilled in the art, the electrodes in an electrochemical cell are commonly referred to as the anode and the cathode. The anode is typically the electrode where oxidation occurs, and the cathode is the electrode where reduction occurs. Thus, for fuel cell mode operation, the fuel electrode can be the anode and the oxygen electrode can be the cathode. For electrolysis mode operation, the fuel electrode can be the cathode and the oxygen electrode can be the anode. For simplicity and to avoid confusion, we have used the terms fuel electrode and oxygen electrode in this application.

[0114] (4) In the electrolysis mode, the system can have a steam input or can be operated in a manner that implements steps for utilizing the steam input during part of the process.

[0115] Fig.12Shows an embodiment of the electrolytic type of the system. As can be understood, air can be provided, for example, by a blower (412). This can be regulated by an air recuperator (411) and then provided via an air heater (410) for use in the process. The temperature of the air can be increased, such as by the air recuperator, and further increased via the air heater even before the air is used in the process. Recycled air can also be provided to the electrodes, electrochemical cells, and cell stacks, as shown. Residues can be discharged through a ventilation tower (403), perhaps via some regulating or dilution elements (404). Steam input can be provided from a water source (401) into a steam generator (402), and then perhaps provided via a fuel cycle injector (408) into a fuel recuperator (407), and then into a fuel heater (409) for final use in the process. As shown, the heated fuel may be input into the electrodes, electrochemical cells, and cell stacks through a manifold (414). Similarly, air can be provided via a manifold (413), as conceptually shown. From the entire previous discussion regarding SOFCs, it can be understood that in such an SOEC design, the electrodes and electrochemical cells can have an air electrode outlet and a fuel electrode outlet (418), which can also be manifolded, such as in manifolds (417) and (416). Again, the system can be controlled by power electronics (18) and, if used for power generation, may supply power to the power grid (22). Additionally, gas (such as hydrogen and / or oxygen) production can occur via a condenser or separator (405) and then be provided to a user via a supply (406). All can be housed in an enclosed container (9) with appropriate gas collection chambers as previously discussed.

[0116] Although the present inventive technology has been described in conjunction with some preferred embodiments, however, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present inventive technology to the specific forms set forth, but rather, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present inventive technology as defined by the claims of the present invention. Examples of claims and alternative claims may include:

[0117] 1. An electrochemical cell system for use in a power generation mode or an electrolysis mode, comprising:

[0118] - A plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, each of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprising:

[0119] ○ A plurality of first functional electrode elements;

[0120] ○ A plurality of second functional electrode elements;

[0121] ○ A stacked first functional electrode inlet;

[0122] ○ A stacked first functional electrode outlet;

[0123] ○ Stacked second functional electrode inlets;

[0124] ○ Stacked second functional electrode outlets,

[0125] - First functional electrode outlet manifold, connected to each of the stacked first functional electrode outlets;

[0126] - Substantially fully compliant thermal expansion - contraction second functional electrode inlet manifold, connected to each of the stacked second functional electrode inlets;

[0127] - Substantially fully compliant thermal expansion - contraction second functional electrode outlet manifold, connected to each of the stacked second functional electrode outlets;

[0128] - Enclosure configured to removably house at least a portion of a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks; and

[0129] - Fully dimensionally compliant thermal expansion - contraction plenum within the enclosure for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked first functional electrode inlets, configured to establish substantially equal ambient entry conditions for each of the plurality of first functional electrode elements.

[0130] 2. The electrochemical cell system according to item 1 or any other item, and further comprising:

[0131] - At least partially container - external compressible stack mountings; and

[0132] - Thermal barrier configured to substantially thermally isolate at least partially the container - external compressible stack mountings.

[0133] 3. The electrochemical cell system according to item 1 or any other item, and further comprising an electrochemical cell support manifold.

[0134] 4. The electrochemical cell system according to item 3 or any other item, wherein the electrochemical cell support manifold includes a manifold stack mounting selected from:

[0135] - First functional electrode outlet manifold stack mounting;

[0136] - Second functional electrode inlet manifold stack mounting; and

[0137] - Second functional electrode outlet manifold stack mounting.

[0138] 5. The electrochemical cell system according to item 1 or any other item, wherein the electrochemical cell includes a power - generating electrochemical cell.

[0139] 6. An electrochemical cell system according to item 1 or any other item, wherein the electrochemical cell includes a gaseous substance generating electrochemical cell.

[0140] 7. An electrochemical cell system according to item 6 or any other item, the electrochemical cell system further including a steam input.

[0141] 8. An electrochemical cell system according to item 7 or any other item, the electrochemical cell system further including a substantially fully adaptable thermal expansion - contraction electrochemical cell sliding element.

[0142] 9. An electrochemical cell system according to item 1 or any other item, and further including at least one axial flow regulator for an electrochemical cell stack.

[0143] 10. An electrochemical cell system according to item 9 or any other item, wherein the at least one axial flow regulator for an electrochemical cell stack includes at least one gradient distribution plate.

[0144] 11. An electrochemical cell system for power generation mode or electrolysis mode, comprising:

[0145] - A plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, each of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks including:

[0146] ○ A plurality of first functional electrode elements;

[0147] ○ A plurality of second functional electrode elements;

[0148] ○ Stacked first functional electrode inlets;

[0149] ○ Stacked first functional electrode outlets;

[0150] ○ Stacked second functional electrode inlets;

[0151] ○ Stacked second functional electrode outlets,

[0152] - A closed container configured to removably accommodate at least a portion of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks; and

[0153] - An internal space gas collection chamber of the closed container for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the stacked first functional electrode inlets.

[0154] 12. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the internal space gas collection chamber of the closed container for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the stacked first functional electrode inlets is configured to completely surround and contain each of the plurality of stacked first functional electrode inlets, each of the plurality of stacked second functional electrode inlets, and each of the plurality of stacked second functional electrode outlets.

[0155] 13. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein each of the first functional electrode elements includes an oxygen electrode element, and / or any other item thereof, and the second functional electrode element includes a fuel electrode element.

[0156] 14. An electrochemical cell system according to item 13 or any other item, wherein each of the oxygen electrode elements includes a cathode element, and / or any other item, and each of the fuel electrode elements includes an anode element.

[0157] 15. An electrochemical cell system according to item 13 or any other item, wherein each of the oxygen electrode elements includes an anode element, and / or any other item, and each of the fuel electrode elements includes a cathode element.

[0158] 16. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein each of the first functional electrode elements includes a fuel electrode element, and / or any other item, and each of the second functional electrode elements includes an oxygen electrode element.

[0159] 17. An electrochemical cell system according to item 13 or any other item, wherein each of the fuel electrode elements includes a cathode element, and / or any other item, and each of the oxygen electrode elements includes an anode element.

[0160] 18. An electrochemical cell system according to item 13 or any other item, wherein each of the oxygen electrode elements includes an anode element, and / or any other item, and each of the fuel electrode elements includes a cathode element.

[0161] 19. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, and further comprising:

[0162] - A first functional electrode outlet manifold connected to each of the first functional electrode outlets of the stack;

[0163] - A second functional electrode inlet manifold connected to each of the second functional electrode inlets of the stack; and

[0164] - A second functional electrode outlet manifold connected to each of the second functional electrode outlets of the stack, and

[0165] or any other item, wherein the internal space plenum chamber of the closed container for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the first functional electrode inlets of the stack is configured to surround each of the second functional electrode inlet manifold and the second functional outlets.

[0166] 20. An electrochemical cell system according to item 19 or any other item, wherein the second functional electrode inlet manifold, and the second functional outlet manifold include substantially fully adaptable thermal expansion - contraction manifolds, and / or any other item, wherein the enclosed container internal space plenum for the first functional electrode inlets of the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked, includes a fully dimension - adaptable thermal expansion - contraction internal space.

[0167] 21. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks include a plurality of fluid - connected individual electrochemical cell stacks.

[0168] 22. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks include a plurality of electrically - connected individual electrochemical cell stacks.

[0169] 23. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks include a plurality of fluid - connected and electrically - connected individual electrochemical cell stacks.

[0170] 24. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the enclosed container internal space plenum for the first functional electrode inlets of the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked, is configured to establish substantially equal ambient entry conditions for each of the plurality of first functional electrode elements.

[0171] 25. An electrochemical cell system according to item 24 or any other item, the electrochemical cell system further includes a first functional electrode outlet manifold.

[0172] 26. An electrochemical cell system according to item 25 or any other item, wherein the first functional electrode outlet manifold includes an electrochemical cell support outlet manifold.

[0173] 27. An electrochemical cell system according to item 24 or any other item, further includes a substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion mount.

[0174] 28. An electrochemical cell system according to item 27 or any other item, wherein the substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion mount includes a stack mounting rack, and each of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks is mounted on the stack mounting rack.

[0175] 29. An electrochemical cell system according to item 27 or any other item, wherein the substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion mount includes a manifold stack mounting member.

[0176] 30. An electrochemical cell system according to item 29 or any other item, wherein the manifold stack mount includes a manifold stack mount selected from the following:

[0177] - A first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount;

[0178] - A second functional electrode inlet manifold stack mount; and

[0179] - A second functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount.

[0180] 31. An electrochemical cell system according to item 19 or any other item, wherein the first functional electrode outlet manifold includes a first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mount.

[0181] 32. An electrochemical cell system according to item 24 or any other item, and further comprising a compression stack mount.

[0182] 33. An electrochemical cell system according to item 32 or any other item, wherein the compressible stack mount includes:

[0183] Compression tie rods; and

[0184] Compression elements.

[0185] 34. An electrochemical cell system according to item 33 or any other item, wherein the compressible stack mount further includes a spring element.

[0186] 35. An electrochemical cell system according to item 32 or any other item, wherein the compressible stack mount includes at least a partially container-external compressible stack mount.

[0187] 36. An electrochemical cell system according to item 34 or any other item, wherein the spring element includes at least a partially container-external spring element.

[0188] 37. An electrochemical cell system according to item 35 or any other item, the electrochemical cell system further comprising a thermal barrier configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least partially container-external compression stack mount.

[0189] 38. An electrochemical cell system according to item 35 or any other item, wherein the at least partially container-external compression stack mount includes a non-high-temperature compression stack mount.

[0190] 39. An electrochemical cell system according to item 41 or any other item, and further comprising a second functional electrode outlet manifold connected to each of the second functional electrode outlets of the stack.

[0191] 40. An electrochemical cell system according to item 39 or any other item, wherein the second functional electrode outlet manifold includes interconnected second functional electrode outlet manifolds.

[0192] 41. An electrochemical cell system according to item 40 or any other item, wherein the internal space gas collection chamber of the closed container for the first functional electrode inlets of the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked, is configured to surround at least a portion of the second functional electrode outlet manifold.

[0193] 42. An electrochemical cell system according to item 39 or any other item, wherein the second functional electrode outlet manifold includes a second functional electrode outlet manifold that is substantially fully adaptable to thermal expansion - contraction.

[0194] 43. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the electrochemical cell includes a solid oxide electrochemical cell.

[0195] 44. An electrochemical cell system according to item 43 or any other item, wherein the solid oxide electrochemical cell includes a solid oxide fuel cell.

[0196] 45. An electrochemical cell system according to item 43 or any other item, wherein the solid oxide electrochemical cell includes a solid oxide electrolysis cell.

[0197] 46. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the electrochemical cell includes an electrochemical cell selected from the group consisting of: proton exchange membrane cells, direct methanol cells, alkaline cells, phosphoric acid cells, molten carbonate cells, solid oxide cells, solid oxide proton conducting cells, and high temperature proton exchange membrane cells.

[0198] 47. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the electrochemical cell includes a power - generating electrochemical cell.

[0199] 48. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the electrochemical cell includes a gaseous substance - generating electrochemical cell.

[0200] 49. An electrochemical cell system according to item 47 or any other item, and further comprising:

[0201] - a compressor; and

[0202] - a turbine.

[0203] 50. An electrochemical cell system according to item 49 or any other item, and further comprising a turbine recuperator.

[0204] 51. An electrochemical cell system according to item 49 or any other item, and further comprising a cathode recuperator.

[0205] 52. An electrochemical cell system according to item 49 or any other item, the electrochemical cell system further comprising a desulfurizer.

[0206] 53. An electrochemical cell system according to item 49 or any other item, and further comprising a combustion chamber.

[0207] 54. The electrochemical cell system according to item 49 or any other item, and further comprising a reformer.

[0208] 55. The electrochemical cell system according to item 49 or any other item, and further comprising an anode heat exchanger.

[0209] 56. An electrochemical cell system according to item 48 or any other item, the electrochemical cell system further comprising a steam input.

[0210] 57. An electrochemical cell system according to item 56 or any other item, and further comprising a cathode recuperator.

[0211] 58. An electrochemical cell system according to item 56 or any other item, and further comprising an anode heat exchanger.

[0212] 59. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, wherein the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprises a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks selected from:

[0213] - Electrochemical cell stacks connected in series electrically;

[0214] - Electrochemical cell stacks connected in series fluidly;

[0215] - Electrochemical cell stacks connected in parallel electrically;

[0216] - Electrochemical cell stacks connected in parallel fluidly; and

[0217] - All permutations and combinations of the above.

[0218] 60. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, the electrochemical cell system further comprising a fully adaptable thermal expansion - contraction electrochemical cell stack mount.

[0219] 61. An electrochemical cell system according to item 60 or any other item, wherein the fully adaptable thermal expansion - contraction electrochemical cell stack mount comprises roller elements.

[0220] 62. An electrochemical cell system according to item 60 or any other item, wherein the fully adaptable thermal expansion - contraction electrochemical cell stack mount includes a sliding element.

[0221] 63. An electrochemical cell system according to item 11 or any other item, and further including at least one electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator.

[0222] 64. An electrochemical cell system according to item 63 or any other item, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator includes at least one electrochemical cell axial flow regulating plate.

[0223] 65. An electrochemical cell system according to item 64 or any other item, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell axial flow regulating plate includes at least one gradient distribution plate.

[0224] 66. An electrochemical cell system according to item 65 or any other item, wherein the at least one gradient distribution plate includes at least one fixed gradient distribution plate.

[0225] 67. An electrochemical cell system according to item 63 or any other item, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator includes variable - thickness porous material.

[0226] 68. An electrochemical cell system according to item 63 or any other item, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator includes at least one stacked multi - screening assembly.

[0227] 69. An electrochemical cell method, comprising the steps of:

[0228] - Providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, each of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks having:

[0229] ○ A plurality of first functional electrode elements;

[0230] ○ A plurality of second functional electrode elements;

[0231] ○ A stacked first functional electrode inlet;

[0232] ○ A stacked first functional electrode outlet;

[0233] ○ A stacked second functional electrode inlet; and

[0234] ○ A stacked second functional electrode outlet,

[0235] - Completely housing the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks within a closed container; and

[0236] - Establish an internal space gas collection chamber of a closed container for a first functional electrode inlet of a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, wherein the first functional electrode inlets of the plurality of stacks are accommodated in the gas collection chamber.

[0237] 70. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing an internal space gas collection chamber of a closed container for a first functional electrode inlet of a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of completely surrounding and accommodating each of the plurality of stacked first functional electrode inlets and each of the plurality of stacked second functional electrode outlets.

[0238] 71. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein each of the first functional electrode elements includes an oxygen electrode element, and / or any other item, each of the second functional electrode elements includes a fuel electrode element.

[0239] 72. The electrochemical cell method according to item 71 or any other item, wherein each of the oxygen electrode elements includes a cathode element, and / or any other item, each of the fuel electrode elements includes an anode element.

[0240] 73. The electrochemical cell method according to item 71 or any other item, wherein each of the oxygen electrode elements includes an anode element, and / or any other item, each of the fuel electrode elements includes a cathode element.

[0241] 74. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein each of the first functional electrode elements includes a fuel electrode element, and / or any other item, each of the second functional electrode elements includes an oxygen electrode element.

[0242] 75. The electrochemical cell method according to item 71 or any other item, wherein each of the fuel electrode elements includes a cathode element, and / or any other item, each of the oxygen electrode elements includes an anode element.

[0243] 76. The electrochemical cell method according to item 71 or any other item, wherein each of the oxygen electrode elements includes an anode element, and / or any other item, each of the fuel electrode elements includes a cathode element.

[0244] 77. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, and further comprising the following steps:

[0245] - Establish a first functional electrode outlet manifold;

[0246] - Connect the first functional electrode outlet manifold to each of the first functional electrode outlets of the stack;

[0247] - Establish a second functional electrode inlet manifold; and

[0248] - Connect the second functional electrode inlet manifold to each of the second functional electrode inlets of the stack;

[0249] - Establish a second functional electrode outlet manifold;

[0250] - Connect the second functional electrode outlet manifold to each of the second functional electrode outlets of the stack, and

[0251] or any other item, wherein the step of establishing a plenum chamber for the internal space of a closed container for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the stacked first functional electrode inlets, comprises the steps of:

[0252] - Surround at least a portion of the second functional electrode inlet manifold, and

[0253] - Surround at least a portion of the second functional electrode outlet manifold.

[0254] 78. The electrochemical cell method according to item 77 or any other item, and further comprising the steps of:

[0255] - Substantially fully accommodate geothermal expansion and contraction of at least a portion of the second functional electrode inlet manifold within the plenum chamber of the internal space of the closed container for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the stacked first functional electrode inlets; and

[0256] - Substantially fully accommodate geothermal expansion and contraction of at least a portion of the second functional electrode outlet manifold within the plenum chamber of the internal space of the closed container for a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the stacked first functional electrode inlets.

[0257] 79. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprises the step of fluidly connecting the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks.

[0258] 80. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprises the step of electrically connecting the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks.

[0259] 81. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprises the steps of:

[0260] - Fluidly connect the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks; and

[0261] - Electrically connect the separate electrochemical cell stacks of the plurality of connections.

[0262] 82. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing a plenum chamber for the internal space of the closed container for the first functional electrode inlet of the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, stacked, includes the step of establishing substantially equal ambient inlet conditions for each of the first functional electrode elements.

[0263] 83. The electrochemical cell method according to item 82 or any other item, and further includes the step of establishing a first functional electrode outlet manifold.

[0264] 84. The electrochemical cell method according to item 83 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing the first functional electrode outlet manifold includes the step of supporting the electrochemical cell stack through the first functional electrode outlet manifold.

[0265] 85. The electrochemical cell method according to item 82 or any other item, and further includes the step of installing the separate electrochemical cell stacks of the plurality of connections through a mounting member having a substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion.

[0266] 86. The electrochemical cell method according to item 85 or any other item, wherein the step of installing the separate electrochemical cell stacks of the plurality of connections through a mounting member having a substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion includes the step of utilizing a stack mounting rack, and each of the separate electrochemical cell stacks of the plurality of connections is mounted on the stack mounting rack.

[0267] 87. The electrochemical cell method according to item 85 or any other item, wherein the step of installing the separate electrochemical cell stacks of the plurality of connections through a mounting member having a substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion includes the step of utilizing a manifold stack mounting member.

[0268] 88. The electrochemical cell method according to item 87 or any other item, wherein the step of utilizing the manifold stack mounting member includes steps selected from the following:

[0269] - Utilize a first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mounting member;

[0270] - Utilize a second functional electrode inlet manifold stack mounting member; and

[0271] - Utilize a second functional electrode outlet manifold stack mounting member.

[0272] 89. The electrochemical cell method according to item 77 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing the first functional electrode outlet manifold includes the step of establishing a first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mounting member.

[0273] 90. An electrochemical cell method according to item 82 or any other item, and further comprising the step of compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks.

[0274] 91. An electrochemical cell method according to item 90 or any other item, wherein the step of compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprises the steps of:

[0275] - Using a compression tie rod; and

[0276] - Using a compression element.

[0277] 92. An electrochemical cell method according to item 91 or any other item, wherein the step of using a compression element comprises the step of using a spring element.

[0278] 93. An electrochemical cell method according to item 90 or any other item, wherein the step of compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprises the step of compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks at least partially outside the container.

[0279] 94. An electrochemical cell method according to item 92 or any other item, wherein the step of using a spring element comprises the step of using a spring element at least partially outside the container.

[0280] 95. An electrochemical cell method according to item 93 or any other item, and further comprising the step of substantially thermally isolating the step of compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks at least partially outside the container from the internal space gas collection chamber of the closed container for the first functional electrode inlet of the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks, the stacked ones.

[0281] 96. An electrochemical cell method according to item 93 or any other item, wherein the step of compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks at least partially outside the container comprises the step of compressing each of the connected individual electrochemical cell stacks at a non-high temperature.

[0282] 97. An electrochemical cell method according to item 82 or any other item, and further comprising the step of establishing a second functional electrode outlet manifold.

[0283] 98. An electrochemical cell method according to item 97 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing a second functional electrode outlet manifold comprises the step of using a second functional electrode outlet manifold interconnected with the electrochemical cell stacks.

[0284] 99. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 98 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing a gas collection chamber in the internal space of a closed container for the first functional electrode inlet of a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of surrounding at least a part of the second functional electrode outlet manifold.

[0285] 100. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing the second functional electrode outlet manifold includes the step of substantially fully accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the second functional electrode outlet manifold in the gas collection chamber of the internal space of the closed container for the first functional electrode inlet of a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks.

[0286] 101. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide electrochemical cell stacks.

[0287] 102. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 101 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide fuel cell stacks.

[0288] 103. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 101 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of providing a plurality of connected individual solid oxide electrolysis cell stacks.

[0289] 104. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks selected from the following: proton exchange membrane cell stacks, direct methanol cell stacks, alkaline cell stacks, phosphoric acid cell stacks, molten carbonate cell stacks, solid oxide cell stacks, solid oxide proton conducting cells, and high temperature proton exchange membrane cell stacks.

[0290] 105. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of providing a plurality of power generation electrochemical cell stacks.

[0291] 106. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks includes the step of providing a plurality of gaseous substance generating electrochemical cell stacks.

[0292] 107. According to the electrochemical cell method of item 105 or any other item, and further comprising the following steps:

[0293] - using a compressor in a part of the method; and

[0294] - using a turbine in a part of the method.

[0295] 108. The electrochemical cell method according to item 107 or any other item, and further comprising the step of utilizing a turbine recuperator in a part of the method.

[0296] 109. The electrochemical cell method according to item 107 or any other item, and further comprising the step of utilizing a cathode recuperator in a part of the method.

[0297] 110. The electrochemical cell method according to item 107 or any other item, and further comprising the step of using a desulfurizer in a part of the method.

[0298] 111. The electrochemical cell method according to item 107 or any other item, and further comprising the step of using a combustion chamber in a part of the method.

[0299] 112. The electrochemical cell method according to item 107 or any other item, and further comprising the step of using a reformer in a part of the method.

[0300] 113. The electrochemical cell method according to item 107 or any other item and further comprising the step of utilizing an anode heat exchanger in a part of the method.

[0301] 114. The electrochemical cell method according to item 108 or any other item, and further comprising the step of utilizing a steam input in a part of the method.

[0302] 115. The electrochemical cell method according to item 114 or any other item, and further comprising the step of utilizing a cathode recuperator in a part of the method.

[0303] 116. The electrochemical cell method according to item 114 or any other item, and further comprising the step of utilizing an anode heat exchanger in a part of the method.

[0304] 117. The electrochemical cell method according to item 69 or any other item, wherein the step of providing a plurality of connected separate electrochemical cell stacks comprises steps selected from the following steps:

[0305] - providing an electrochemically cell stack with series electrical connection;

[0306] - providing an electrochemically cell stack with series fluid connection;

[0307] - providing an electrochemically cell stack with parallel electrical connection;

[0308] - providing an electrochemcial cell stack with fluid connections in parallel; and

[0309] - all permutations and combinations of the above.

[0310] 118. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 69 or any other item, further comprising the step of substantially fully accommodating geothermal expansion and contraction of the internal space of the closed container for the first functional electrode inlet of a plurality of electrochemcial cell stacks, in the gas collection chamber of the plurality of connected individual electrochemcial cell stacks.

[0311] 119. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 118 or any other item, wherein the step of substantially fully accommodating geothermal expansion and contraction of the internal space of the closed container for the first functional electrode inlet of a plurality of electrochemcial cell stacks, in the gas collection chamber of the plurality of connected individual electrochemcial cell stacks, includes the step of rolling components within the closed container.

[0312] 120. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 118 or any other item, wherein the step of substantially fully accommodating geothermal expansion and contraction of the internal space of the closed container for the first functional electrode inlet of a plurality of electrochemcial cell stacks, in the gas collection chamber of the plurality of connected individual electrochemcial cell stacks, includes the step of sliding components within the closed container.

[0313] 121. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 69 or any other item, further comprising the step of establishing a differential axial flow within at least one electrochemcial cell stack.

[0314] 122. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 121 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing a differential axial flow within at least one electrochemcial cell stack includes the step of utilizing at least one electrochemcial cell axial flow regulating plate.

[0315] 123. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 122 or any other item, wherein the step of utilizing at least one electrochemcial cell axial flow regulating plate includes the step of utilizing at least one gradient distribution plate.

[0316] 124. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 123 or any other item, wherein the step of utilizing at least one gradient distribution plate includes the step of utilizing at least one fixed gradient distribution plate.

[0317] 125. An electrochemcial cell method according to item 121 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing a differential axial flow within at least one electrochemcial cell stack includes the step of utilizing a variable thickness porous material.

[0318] 126. An electrochemical cell method according to item 121 or any other item, wherein the step of establishing a differential axial flow within at least one electrochemical cell includes the step of utilizing at least one stacked multi-screen assembly.

[0319] As can be readily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the various embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in various ways. It relates to integrated solid oxide fuel cell - gas turbine technology and to devices for achieving a suitable integrated solid oxide fuel cell - gas turbine. In the present application, the integrated solid oxide fuel cell - gas turbine technology is disclosed as part of showing the results achieved by the various devices described and as an inherent step. They are merely the natural result of utilizing the devices as contemplated and described. Further, although some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these devices not only implement certain methods, but can be varied in many ways. Importantly, for all of the foregoing, all of these aspects should be understood to be covered by this disclosure.

[0320] The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should understand that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all possible embodiments; many alternatives are implicit. It may also not fully explain the general nature of the different embodiments of the present invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually represent a broader function or a wide variety of alternative or equivalent elements. As an example, degree terms, approximation terms, and / or relative terms may be used. These can include terms such as: substantially, about, only, etc. In a dictionary sense, these words and types of words should be understood to include terms of sufficient or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc. and terms that are to a large extent but not completely inclusive of the term specified. Further, for this application, if or when used, degree terms, approximation terms, and / or relative terms (such as the word substantially, etc.) should be understood to also include more precise and even quantitative values, which include various levels of precision and the possibility of claims that address many quantitative options and alternatives. For example, to the extent of end use, a percentage value including 99%, 97%, 95%, or even 90% of the specified adjustment or condition can be used to specify the existence of a condition as substantially complete expansion - contraction adjustment. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure and should (and, it is believed, will) be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, when applied in terms of device-oriented terms, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Not only can device claims for the devices described be included, but method or process claims can also be included to address the functions of the embodiments and the functions performed by each element. Neither the specification nor the terms are intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

[0321] It should also be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the essence of the various embodiments of the present invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the specification. They still fall within the scope of the different embodiments of the present invention. The broad disclosure covering the shown or multiple explicit embodiments, various implicit alternative embodiments, and extensive methods or processes, etc., is covered by this disclosure and can be relied upon when writing the claims of any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claims can be made at a later date (e.g., any required deadline), or in the case where the applicant subsequently seeks a patent application based on this application. With this understanding, the reader should realize that this disclosure should be understood to support any subsequent patent application that may seek review of a broad basis of claims considered to be within the applicant's rights and that can be designed to result in patents that independently and as a whole system cover many aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0322] In addition, each of the various elements of the embodiments and claims of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Further, when used or implied, an element should be understood to cover both individuals and pluralities of structures that may or may not be physically connected. The present disclosure should be understood to include each such variation, which can be a variation of an embodiment of any device embodiment, method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. In particular, it should be understood that since the present disclosure relates to the elements of the various embodiments of the present invention, the words used for each element can be represented by equivalent means terms or method terms - even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader or even more general terms should be considered to be included in the description of each element or action. In cases where it is desired to make clear the implicitly broad coverage to which the (multiple) embodiments of the present invention are entitled, such terms can be substituted. Merely as one example, it should be understood that all actions can be represented as means for taking that action or as elements that cause that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to include the disclosure of the action facilitated by that physical element. Regarding the last aspect, as merely one example, the disclosure of "compressor" should be understood to cover the disclosure of the act of "compressing" (whether explicitly discussed or not), and conversely, if the act of compression is effectively disclosed, such disclosure should be understood to cover the disclosure of "compressor" and even "means for compressing". Such changes and alternative terms should be understood to be explicitly included in the specification. Further, each such means (whether or not explicitly so described) should be understood to cover all elements capable of performing a given function, and all descriptions of elements performing the described function should be understood as non-limiting examples of means for performing the said function. As other non-limiting examples, it should be understood that claim elements can also be expressed as: components, programming, subroutines, logic or elements configured or configured and arranged to provide or even achieve a particular result, use, purpose, situation, function or operation, or as components capable of performing a particular activity, result, use, purpose, situation, function or operation. All of these should be understood to be within the scope of the present disclosure and written description.

[0323] Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this patent application are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority cases claimed by this application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. Additionally, with respect to each term used, it should be understood that unless its use in this application is inconsistent with the widely supported interpretation, the common dictionary definition should be understood to be incorporated for each term, and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms (such as those contained in the second edition of the Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary) are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of references incorporated by reference or other information statements submitted with this application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. However, with respect to each of the foregoing, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference may be considered inconsistent with the patentability of different embodiments of the (one or more) inventions, such statements are specifically not considered to have been made by the (one or more) applicants.

[0324] List of References Incorporated by Reference

[0325] I. US Patents

[0326]

[0327]

[0328]

[0329] II. Non-Patent Literature

[0330] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 297,525, filed Jan. 7, 2022. First Inventor: ECHTER

[0331] Accordingly, the applicant(s) shall be understood as having support for the claims and rendering the claims to be embodiments including at least the following: i) each of these integrated solid oxide fuel cell - gas turbine devices as disclosed and described herein, ii) the related methods as disclosed and described, iii) the similar, equivalent, and even implicitly varied ones of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs that accomplish each function as shown and described, v) those alternative designs and methods that implement each function shown as implicit to achieve the functions as disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as an independent and separate invention, vii) applications enhanced by the various systems or components as disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such processes, methods, systems, or components, ix) each system, method, and element as now shown or described applied to any specific field or device mentioned, x) methods and devices substantially as described above and with reference to any accompanying examples, xi) a device for performing the methods described herein, including means for performing the following steps, xii) the various combinations and permutations of each disclosed element, xiii) the dependence of each potential dependent claim or concept on each and every independent claim or concept as presented, and xiv) all inventions described herein.

[0332] Except for and with respect to the computer and every aspect suitable for programming or other electronic automation, it should be understood that in characterizing these and all other aspects of the various embodiments of the present invention, whether characterized as a device, capability, element or otherwise, since all of these can be implemented via software, hardware or even firmware structures such as those provided for a general-purpose computer, a programmed chip or chipset, an ASIC, a dedicated controller, subroutines, logic or other known programmable or circuit-specific structures - it should be understood that all of these aspects are at least defined by structures including the following, as would be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art: hardware circuits, firmware, programmed dedicated components, and even general-purpose computers programmed to implement the identified aspects. For such items implemented by programmable features, the applicant should understand that there is support for the claims and should at least make the following statements: xv) A process, machine, or computer machine as described throughout the above discussion, executed with the aid of a computer or on a computer, xvi) A programmable device as described throughout the above discussion, xvii) A computer-readable memory encoded with data to direct a computer including a device or element having functions as described throughout the above discussion, xviii) A computer, machine, or computer machine configured as disclosed and described herein, xix) Subroutines, processor logic, and / or programs, either alone or in combination, as disclosed and described herein, xx) A carrier medium bearing computer-readable code for controlling a computer to execute each and every individual and combined method described herein or in any claim, xxii) A computer program that individually executes each and every individual and combined method disclosed, xxii) A computer program including all and every combination of means for executing each and every individual and combined step disclosed, xxiii) A storage medium storing each computer program disclosed, xxiv) A signal carrying the disclosed computer program, xxv) A processor executing instructions for implementing the detailed steps and activities, xxvi) A circuit configuration (including the configuration of transistors, gates, etc.) that acts in sequence and / or causes action as described in detail, xxvii) A computer-readable medium storing instructions to execute the steps and cause the detailed activities, xxviii) The related methods disclosed and described herein, xxix) Similar, equivalent, or even implicit variations of each of these systems and methods, xxx) Those alternative designs that accomplish each function shown as disclosed and described, xxxi) Those alternative designs and methods that implement each function as implicitly shown to implement the disclosed and described functions, xxxii) Each feature, component, and step shown as a separate and independent invention, and xxxiii) Various combinations of each of the above and any aspect, all without otherwise limiting the other aspects.

[0333] For claims presented for examination now or hereafter, it should be understood that, for practical reasons and to avoid a substantial expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may present only initial claims or may present only initial claims having only initial dependencies at any time. Offices and any third parties interested in the potential scope of this or a subsequent application should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in such circumstances, in the event of claiming the benefit of such circumstances, or in any continuation, notwithstanding any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments, and thus during the pendency of any such case there is no intent to abandon or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, this may require a possible revisit to any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time, since to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered to have been made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be overcome by claims presented later, etc. Examiners and anyone else interested in the existing or later potential coverage, or considering any possibility of an indication of abandonment or waiver of potential coverage at any time, should know that no such abandonment or waiver was ever intended or existed in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as those appearing in Hakim v. Canon Avante Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir. 2007), etc. are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. Further, support should be understood to exist to the extent required under the provisions of new entity law (including but not limited to Article 123(2) of the European Patent Convention and 35 U.S.C. 132 of the United States Patent Law or other such law) to permit the addition of various dependent items or other elements presented under an independent claim, or of any of the concepts as dependent items or elements under any other independent claim or concept. At any time when drafting any claim, whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has aimed to obtain as complete and broad a coverage as is legally available. To the extent of making non-substantive substitutions, to the extent the applicant has not actually drafted any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended or actually abandoned such coverage, since the applicant may not simply anticipate all possibilities; a person of ordinary skill in the art should not reasonably be expected to have drafted claims that would literally encompass these alternative embodiments.

[0334] Further, if or when used, transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and "having" are used to maintain the "open-ended" claims herein in accordance with conventional claim interpretation as discussed in MPEP § 2111.03. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term "comprising" or variants such as "comprises" or "comprised of," "including" or variants such as "includes" or "including," "containing" or variants such as "contains" and "contained by," "characterized by" or variants such as "characterized in," "having" or variants such as "has" or "had by" are intended to imply the inclusion of the recited element or step or group of elements or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. These terms are to be interpreted in their broadest form so as to afford the broadest coverage legally permissible to the applicant. The use of the phrase "or any other claim" is used to provide support for any claim that depends from any other claim, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, etc. As a specific example, if a claim is a dependent claim of "claim 9 or any other claim," etc., it may, if desired, be written as a dependent claim of claim 1, claim 8, or even claim 11 (if it exists), and still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also supports any combination of elements in a claim and even any desired appropriate citation basis for combining certain claim combinations, such as, in combination with method, apparatus, process, etc. claims.

[0335] Finally, any claim set forth at any time is hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the various embodiments of the present application, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all or part of the incorporated content of such claim to support any or all of the claim or any of its elements or components, and the applicant also expressly reserves the right to move any part or all of the incorporated content of such claim or any of its elements or components from the description to the claim or vice versa, as needed to define the matter sought to be protected in this application or any subsequent continuation, to divide or portions thereof, or to obtain any benefit of a fee reduction, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive throughout the pendency of this application (including any subsequent continuation, divisional, or partial continuation application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon).

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell system that is used in a power generation mode or an electrolysis mode, and comprises: - A plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, each of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprising: ○ A plurality of first functional electrode elements; ○ A plurality of second functional electrode elements; ○ A stacked first functional electrode inlet; ○ A stacked first functional electrode outlet; ○ A stacked second functional electrode inlet; ○ A stacked second functional electrode outlet, - A first functional electrode outlet manifold connected to each of the stacked first functional electrode outlets; - A second functional electrode inlet manifold that is substantially fully adaptable to thermal expansion - contraction, connected to each of the stacked second functional electrode inlets; - A second functional electrode outlet manifold that is substantially fully adaptable to thermal expansion - contraction, connected to each of the stacked second functional electrode outlets; - A closed container configured to removably accommodate at least a portion of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks; and - A gas collection chamber for the interior space of the closed container that is fully dimensionally adaptable to thermal expansion - contraction, for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and the stacked first functional electrode inlets, the gas collection chamber being configured to establish substantially the same environmental inlet conditions for each of the plurality of first functional electrode elements.

2. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 1, further comprises: - At least a partially container - external compressible stack mounting member; and - A thermal barrier configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least a partially container - external compressible stack mounting member.

3. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 1, and further comprising an electrochemical cell support manifold.

4. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 3, wherein, the electrochemical cell support manifold comprises a manifold stack mounting member selected from: - A first functional electrode outlet manifold stack mounting member; - A second functional electrode inlet manifold stack mounting member; and - A second functional electrode outlet manifold stack mounting member.

5. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 1, wherein, the electrochemical cell comprises a power - generating electrochemical cell.

6. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 1, wherein, the electrochemical cell comprises a gaseous substance - generating electrochemical cell.

7. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 6, further comprising a steam input.

8. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 7, and further comprising a substantially fully adaptable to thermal expansion - contraction electrochemical cell sliding element.

9. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 1, and further comprising at least one electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator.

10. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 9, wherein, the at least one electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator comprises at least one gradient distribution plate.

11. An electrochemical cell system that is used in a power generation mode or an electrolysis mode, comprises: - A plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, each of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks comprising: ○ A plurality of first functional electrode elements; ○ Multiple second functional electrode elements; ○ Stacked first functional electrode inlets; ○ Stacked first functional electrode outlets; ○ Stacked second functional electrode inlets; ○ Stacked second functional electrode outlets, - A sealed container configured to removably house at least a portion of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks; and - An internal space plenum for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and the stacked first functional electrode inlets within the sealed container.

12. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 11, wherein, each of the first functional electrode elements includes an oxygen electrode element, and each of the second functional electrode elements includes a fuel electrode element.

13. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 12 and further including a substantially fully compliant thermal expansion - contraction manifold, and wherein the internal space plenum for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and the stacked first functional electrode inlets within the sealed container includes a fully dimensionally compliant thermal expansion - contraction internal space.

14. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 11, wherein, the internal space plenum for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and the stacked first functional electrode inlets within the sealed container is configured to establish substantially the same ambient entry conditions for each of the plurality of first functional electrode elements.

15. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 14 and further including a first functional electrode outlet manifold.

16. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 14 and further including a substantially single coefficient of thermal expansion mount.

17. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 14 and further including a compressible stack mount.

18. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 17, wherein, the compressible stack mount includes at least a partially container - external compressible stack mount.

19. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 18, wherein, the at least a partially container - external compressible stack mount includes at least a partially container - external spring element.

20. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 18 and further including a thermal barrier configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least a partially container - external compressible stack mount.

21. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 11, wherein, the electrochemical cell includes an electrochemical cell selected from the group consisting of a proton exchange membrane cell, a direct methanol cell, an alkaline cell, a phosphoric acid cell, a molten carbonate cell, a solid oxide cell, a solid oxide proton - conducting cell, and a high - temperature proton exchange membrane cell.

22. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 11 and further including a fully compliant thermal expansion - contraction electrochemical cell stack mount.

23. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 11 and further including at least one electrochemical cell stack axial flow regulator.

24. An electrochemical cell method, comprising the steps of: - Providing a plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks, each of the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks having: ○ Multiple first functional electrode elements; ○ Multiple second functional electrode elements; ○ Stacked first functional electrode inlets; ○ Stacked first functional electrode outlets; ○ Stacked second functional electrode inlets; And ○ Stacked second functional electrode outlets, - Completely containing the plurality of connected individual electrochemical cell stacks through a closed container; And - Establishing an internal space gas collection chamber of the closed container for the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and the stacked first functional electrode inlets, and a plurality of the stacked first functional electrode inlets are accommodated in the internal space gas collection chamber of the closed container.

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