Methods and systems for humidifying fuel for use in fuel processors and fuel cell systems
US6670062B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for humidifying a mixture of dry fuel and air for use in a fuel processor may include receiving a mixture of dry fuel and air at a first temperature such as ambient temperature, heating the mixture of dry fuel and air to a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and combining the mixture of dry fuel and air at the second temperature with water. A fuel cell system incorporating such method may include a humidifier for humidifying a mixture of dry dry fuel and air which is processed in a fuel processor to produce reformate, and a fuel cell for receiving the reformate and generating electricity. A heat exchanger is provided for heating the mixture of dry fuel and air prior to humidification in the humidifier. The heat exchanger may be provided in the fuel processor or operably connected to an anode tail-gas oxidizer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.