Claims
- 1. A novel fuel cell utilizing essentially hydrocarbons as the fuel containing an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, all of which are solids, wherein at least the anode comprises a metal exchanged .beta."-alumina as the catalyst, said metal being capable of undergoing a change in oxidation state.
- 2. The novel fuel cell of claim 1 wherein the metal is a transition metal.
- 3. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Fe(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Cr(II), Cr(III), Co(II), Cu(II) or Cu(I).
- 4. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the expendable component is methane.
- 5. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Fe(II).
- 6. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Fe(III).
- 7. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Mn(II).
- 8. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Cr(II).
- 9. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Cr(III).
- 10. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Co(II).
- 11. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Cu(II).
- 12. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is Cu(I).
- 13. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein only the anode is a transition metal exchanged .beta."-alumina.
- 14. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein only the anode and cathode are a transition metal exchanged .beta."-alumina.
- 15. The novel fuel cell of claim 2 wherein the anode, cathode and electrolyte are each a transition metal exchanged .beta."-alumina.
- 16. The novel fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbons contain from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms.
Government Interests
This invention was made with Government support under Grant No. N0014-89-J-3198 awarded by the Department of the Navy. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4749634 |
Sammells |
Jun 1988 |
|
4997725 |
Pujare et al. |
Mar 1991 |
|