Fuel cell system with interconnect

Abstract

The present invention includes an integrated planar, series connected fuel cell system having electrochemical cells electrically connected via interconnects, wherein the anodes of the electrochemical cells are protected against Ni loss and migration via an engineered porous anode barrier layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fuel cell, comprising:
 an anode comprising Ni;   a cathode;   an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode;   a substrate; and   a porous anode barrier disposed between said anode and said substrate, wherein the porous anode barrier is electrically insulating.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein said porous anode barrier comprises Ni. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel cell of  claim 2  wherein said porous anode barrier is configured to provide sacrificial Ni during operation of the fuel cell. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel cell of  claim 2  wherein said porous anode barrier is configured to prevent Ni migration in said anode during operation of the fuel cell. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein said porous anode barrier is not an active component of the fuel cell. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein said porous anode barrier is configured to prevent reactions between said anode and said substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate comprises a porous ceramic. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein said porous anode barrier is configured to provide fuel to said anode. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein said porous anode barrier comprises an inert, porous ceramic. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel cell of  claim 9 , wherein said porous ceramic comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of YSZ, SrZrO 3 , and SrTiO 3 -doped zirconia.