Heat exchanger for fuel cell power plant reformer
US4781241A · kind A · utility
108Cited by
5References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 1987 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A heat exchanger uses the heat from processed fuel gas from a reformer for a fuel cell to superheat steam, to preheat raw fuel prior to entering the reformer and to heat a water-steam coolant mixture from the fuel cells. The processed fuel gas temperature is thus lowered to a level useful in the fuel cell reaction. The four temperature adjustments are accomplished in a single heat exchanger with only three heat transfer cores. The heat exchanger is preheated by circulating coolant and purge steam from the power section during startup of the latter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.