Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Zirconium(IV) Oxide Fuel Cells — Bloom Energy

bfesser - 5-1-2014 at 13:47

Do we know any details of the ZrO<sub>2</sub>-based fuel cells used in the <a href="http://www.bloomenergy.com/" target="_blank">Bloom Energy</a> <img src="../scipics/_ext.png" /> power modules?

<a href="http://youtu.be/khK_QTWl5Nc" target="_blank"><em>60 Minutes</em> feature</a> <img src="../scipics/_yt.png" />
<a href="http://youtu.be/5RehT-Do9bs" target="_blank"><em>CNet News</em> 02/24/10</a> <img src="../scipics/_yt.png" />
<a href="http://www.seattle.gov/light/news/issues/irp/docs/dbg_538_app_i_5.pdf" target="_blank">The Bloom Box: A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell</a> <img src="../scipics/_pdf.png" />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_oxide_fuel_cell" target="_blank">Solid oxide fuel cell</a> <img src="../scipics/_wiki.png" />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom_Energy_Server" target="_blank">Bloom Energy Server</a> <img src="../scipics/_wiki.png" />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zirconium_dioxide" target="_blank">Zirconium(IV) oxide</a> <img src="../scipics/_wiki.png" />

[Edited on 5.1.14 by bfesser]

plante1999 - 5-1-2014 at 15:39

I know none, but there is nothing which seams new in this "invention". Apparently it is green, but it need a fuel to run. Generally fuel must be extracted from petrol, coal, and in a tiny fraction biomass, and transported to the user, which need fuel. Overall I don't see that technology any greener then actual set up, and at 0.10$/kwh, it is 0.03$ costlier then energy over here (I don't know the cost of it in the states), and you still have to buy the fuel, to feed it and so on.

Overall, I'm very far from believing in that, especially when someone says zirconium dioxide is beach sand. Plus, he never did mention the CO2 produced in what I watched.

IrC - 5-1-2014 at 15:53

"1. A solid oxide fuel cell unit comprising:

a solid electrolyte;

an air electrode provided on a first surface of the solid electrolyte; and

a fuel electrode provided on a second surface of the solid electrolyte;

wherein the fuel electrode is made of a mixture of nickel, zirconium oxide and chromium oxide"

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5368951.html

Attachment: US5368951.pdf (147kB)
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http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4568442.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4370284.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4299646.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP0572017A1.html

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http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4294893.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7297435.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6248468.html



[Edited on 1-6-2014 by IrC]

bfesser - 5-1-2014 at 15:59

plante1999, I'm not particularly interested in the 'greenness' of the supposed innovation, but in the actual chemistry and materials science involved in the fuel cell. Let's try to keep this topic more about those and less about the environmental, economic, and political aspects.

[edit] IrC, thank you for the PDF.

[Edited on 6.1.14 by bfesser]

IrC - 5-1-2014 at 16:14

Quote: Originally posted by bfesser  
plante1999, I'm not particularly interested in the 'greenness' of the supposed innovation, but in the actual chemistry and materials science involved in the fuel cell. Let's try to keep this topic more about those and less about the environmental, economic, and political aspects.

[edit] IrC, thank you for the PDF.

[Edited on 6.1.14 by bfesser]


Your welcome, this area is where I spend much time lately after I got tired of wasting Ni powder and D2O getting nowhere. The following patent is also one you should read:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3350230.html

Morgan - 5-1-2014 at 16:20

"Purity of the fuel may be a big factor. The methane that comes out of your pipe is NOT pure methane. And I don't mean the odorant. From my work with high efficiency furnaces, natural gas leaves a white ash. Also, combustion air is contaminated with dust, sulfur, and other junk. The surface of the electrodes is where the action is. Gunk that up and your efficiency will drop. How much? What are the repair costs?"
http://anz.theoildrum.com/node/6242