Fuel cell power plant with electrochemical autothermal reformer
US6110615A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2018 |
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 reformer (EATR) which provides hydrogen to the fuel cell. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, an anode supply region, and a mixed ion conductor membrane or metal or metal alloy 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 pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the fuel cell is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the power plant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.