Fuel cell power plant with electrochemical autothermal reformer
US5976724A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S204/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell power plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformed (EATR) which provides hydrogen to the fuel cell. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, an anode supply region, and a mixed ion conductor or membrane layer separating the autothermal reforming region from the reformer anode supply region. An anode gas loop, located between an anode supply region of the EATR and an anode compartment or section of the fuel cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas between the two regions. The carrier gas ensures proper control of partial pressure of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the fuel cell is exploited by heat exchanger which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the power plant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.