Claims
- 1. A method for operating a high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, said method comprising the steps:converting a hydrocarbon-containing fuel in the fuel cell internally, by an endothermic reaction directly at or in the anode, into a synthesis gas, and converting the synthesis gas in the fuel cell by an exothermic chemical reaction into electricity, wherein the fuel is supplied to the fuel cell at such an excess that the fuel utilization is below 40%, the temperature difference of the operating media between the entrance into, and the exit out of, the anode space as well as into, and respectively, out of, the cathode space is not more than 20° C., and, the oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell essentially stoichiometrically corresponding to the electric power generating requirement.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is operated at temperatures of below 700° C., preferably at temperatures of below 650° C.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fuel utilization degree is below 30%.
- 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature difference of the operating media between its entrance into, and its exit from, the anode space and its entry into, and its exit from, the cathode space is not more than 10° C.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
198 41 970 |
Sep 1998 |
DE |
|
199 41 724 |
Sep 1999 |
DE |
|
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation-in-part application of international application PCT/DE99/02922 filed Sep. 11, 1999 and claiming the priority of German applications 198 41 970.8 filed Sep. 14, 1998 and 199 41 724.5 filed Sep. 2, 1999.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5998056 |
Divisek et al. |
Dec 1999 |
A |
6162556 |
Vollmar et al. |
Dec 2000 |
A |
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
196 34 085 |
Feb 1998 |
DE |
0 311 307 |
Apr 1989 |
EP |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Alqahtany Haytham et al. “Synthesis Gas Production From Methane Over an Iron Electrode in a Solid Electrolyte Cell”, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, US, Electrochemical Society, vol. 140, No. 6, Jun. 01, 1993. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
PCT/DE99/02922 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
Child |
09/790096 |
|
US |