Patent · US Expired

Application of fuel cells to power generation systems

US5401589A · kind A · utility

248Cited by
8References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 23, 1993
Grant dateMar 28, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 23, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S429/901
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention is drawn to an electrical power generation system and a method of electrical power generation. The system includes a supply of hydrogen-containing fuel and a reformer for obtaining hydrogen therefrom, a supply of oxygen and a material for producing an exothermic reaction. The system also includes a fuel cell and means for disposing of waste products arising from the fuel cell and other parts of the system, a control means and heat exchange means for regulating flow streams and balancing the heating and cooling requirements. The reformer comprises a reforming chamber, inlet and outlet for the fuel. Also the reformer includes a second chamber which surrounds the reforming chamber and a preheating chamber. Fins extend through a wall separating the reforming and surrounding chamber.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.