US 7,482,077 B2
Direct hydrocarbon fuel cells
Scott A. Barnett, Evanston, Ill. (US); and Jiang Liu, Evanston, Ill. (US)
Assigned to Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. (US)
Filed on Oct. 21, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/277,167.
Application 10/277167 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/833209, filed on Apr. 10, 2001, granted, now 6,479,178.
Application 09/833209 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/441104, filed on Nov. 16, 1999, granted, now 6,214,485, filed on Apr. 10, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2003/0118879 A1, Jun. 26, 2003
Int. Cl. H01M 8/18 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 429—19  [429/30; 429/33] 16 Claims
 
1. A method of using a hydrocarbon fuel to operate a solid oxide fuel cell, said method comprising:
providing a solid oxide fuel cell having an anode absent ceria, said anode comprising a catalytic metal for cracking hydrocarbons, said metal selected from Pt, Ru, Pd, Fe, Co and Ni; and
introducing a hydrocarbon fuel to said anode, said fuel absent at least one of sufficient carbon dioxide and water sufficient to convert said hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen, said method substantially absent a hydrocarbon reforming stage.