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Solid oxide fuel cell having a monolithic heat exchanger and method for managing thermal energy flow of the fuel cell

  • US 6,551,734 B1
  • Filed: 10/27/2000
  • Issued: 04/22/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A thermal energy management system for solid oxide fuel cells comprising:

  • a monolithic heat exchanger comprising an air inlet side, an air outlet side, and a plurality of cells for passing a flow of air therethrough;

    said heat exchanger being coupled to an SOFC stack; and

    a material disposed between said SOFC stack and said heat exchanger to control thermal coupling between said SOFC stack and said heat exchanger;

    wherein in operation, a flow of inlet air having a selected temperature is passed through said heat exchanger cells and thermal energy flowing into and out of said SOFC stack is managed primarily by radiation coupling between said SOFC stack and said heat exchanger.

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