Method of generating high-purity nitrogen gas
US5330857A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
High-purity nitrogen gas is generated by reducing at least the residual oxygen content of at least the cathode exhaust gas stream of a fuel cell device. The oxygen reduction is achieved either by controlling the passage of an oxidant gas through the cathode side of the fuel cell device in such a manner as to increase the oxygen utilization at the cathode side of the fuel cell device relative to the optimum electric power generation operating conditions of the fuel cell device, or by removing most of the residual oxygen from the cathode exhaust gas stream exhausted from the cathode side of the fuel cell device, while maintaining both oxygen and nitrogen contained in the cathode exhaust gas in their gaseous states throughout, or both. Moreover, anode exhaust gas can be reacted in a reformer burner with a reduced amount of excess oxygen and/or the reformer burner exhaust gas can be purified to remove combustion products and/or oxygen therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.