Fuel cell thermal control and reforming of process gas hydrocarbons
US4182795A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 1978 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Thermal control and fuel processing in fuel cell operation is effected through sensible heat of process gas and hydrocarbon reforming by supplying process gas in common to a flow passage in communication with the cell electrolyte and an additional gas flow passage which is isolated from the cell electrolyte and includes catalyst promoting endothermic reforming of hydrocarbon content of the process gas. Flow level in the electrolyte-communicative flow passage is selected based on desired output electrical energy and flow level in the additional gas flow passage is selected in accordance with desired cell operating temperature and desired extent of fuel processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.