Fuel cell electric power generation system
US6645652B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/129
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell electric power generation system includes an electric power generation subsystem, a fuel processing subsystem including a furnace, an oxidant subsystem, a water circulation subsystem, and a temperature control subsystem. Interactions between the subsystems are simplified and component integration improves thermal and electrical efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, a reformer, a fuel stream humidifier and a heat exchanger are disposed within the furnace, with the humidifier outlet fluidly connected to the reformer inlet and the heat exchanger outlet fluidly connected to a desulfurizer located outside of the furnace. The fuel processing subsystem can also include a shift reactor that exchanges heat with a cathode exhaust stream directed to the shift reactor from the power generation subsystem. After passing through the shift reactor, the cathode exhaust stream is preferably directed to the furnace burner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.