EPO Patent EP4712176A1: Solid Oxide Oxidation Unit for Fuel Cells
Summary
The European Patent Office has published patent application EP4712176A1 concerning a solid oxide oxidation unit for fuel cells, developed by AIRBUS Operations GmbH. The patent describes a unit for converting reductants to thermal energy and a fuel cell arrangement incorporating this unit, potentially for use in vehicles like aircraft.
What changed
This document is a patent publication (EP4712176A1) from the European Patent Office (EPO) detailing a novel solid oxide oxidation unit and a fuel cell arrangement. The invention, assigned to AIRBUS Operations GmbH, focuses on an oxidation unit designed for converting reductants to thermal energy using an oxidant, with specific features related to ion transfer and electron conductivity within the duct wall. It also describes a fuel cell arrangement that incorporates this unit and an energy supply system, potentially for use in vehicles, including aircraft.
As this is a patent publication, it does not impose direct regulatory obligations or compliance deadlines on regulated entities. However, it signifies technological advancements in the field of fuel cells and oxidation units. Companies operating in the energy, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors, particularly those involved in fuel cell technology or vehicle design, should be aware of this patent for potential intellectual property considerations, competitive analysis, or future technology integration.
Source document (simplified)
SOLID OXIDE OXIDATION UNIT AND PRESSURE-RESISTANT FUEL CELL
Publication EP4712176A1 Kind: A1 Mar 18, 2026
Applicants
AIRBUS Operations GmbH
Inventors
NEHTER, Pedro
Abstract
The present invention relates to a oxide oxidation unit (600) for converting at least one reductant to thermal energy under the production of exhausts (G) and further exhausts (H) from a first supply flow (24) comprising an oxidant and a second supply flow (26) comprising the reductant, respectively; the solid oxide oxidation unit (600) comprising a duct wall (14) configured for separating the first supply flow (24) from the second supply flow and at least sectionwise comprising an electrolyte layer allowing for a transfer of ions of the oxidant to the reductant; wherein the duct wall (14) comprises an electrically conducting material (113) allowing for a transfer of electrons from the reductant to the oxidant for enabling a full oxidation of the reductant contained in the second supply flow (26). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a fuel cell arrangement (200) comprising at least one solid oxide oxidation unit (600) and at least one fuel cell setup (100) comprising a carrier structure (10) comprising a duct wall; wherein a primary power coating layer (28) is applied on a surface of the duct wall for being arranged between the first supply flow and the second supply flow; and wherein the primary power coating layer (28) is configured for generating electrical energy from the first supply flow and the second supply flow; to an energy supply system (300), comprising at least one solid oxide oxidation unit (600) and/or at least one fuel cell arrangement (200), and to an apparatus, in particular a vehicle, such as an aircraft (400), comprising same.
IPC Classifications
H01M 8/04007 20160101AFI20260210BHEP H01M 8/04111 20160101ALI20260210BHEP H01M 8/0662 20160101ALI20260210BHEP
Designated States
AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, ME, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR
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