Fuel cell configuration for contaminated fuel gases and method of using the same
US4755439A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The fuel cell system is adapted to be able to operate with oxygen-contaminated hydrogen-rich fuel gases without experiencing undesirably high temperature hot spots on the fuel cell electrodes. Oxygen in the fuel gas is catalytically burned in areas of the electrodes where no electrochemical reaction occurs. The oxygen content of the fuel gases is thus reduced to an acceptable level before the fuel gases flow over the portions of the electrodes which are electrochemically active. Anode exhaust can also be partially recirculated into the anode inlet to mix with incoming fuel gas thereby preliminarily diluting the amount of oxygen in the incoming fuel gases.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.