Gas generating system for a fuel cell system and method of operating a gas generating system

US6740303B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Stefan Boneberg · Neuffen, DE
• Martin Schaefer · Gebenstorf, CH
• Martin Schuessler · Bad Birnbach, DE
• Erik Theis · Kirchheim unter Teck, DE
• Ralf Heuser · Ulm, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 4, 2002
• Grant date: May 25, 2004
• Expiry date: Nov 12, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/52
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A gas generating system for a fuel cell system as well as to a method of operating same. In order to provide hydrogen-containing combustible gas as rapidly as possible and to reduce the exhaust gas emissions, for the start of the operation of the gas generating system, at least one catalytic burner is started and the generated heat is used for evaporating a combustion agent and/or water and for the heating-up of an additionally connected partial reforming unit or partial oxidation stage in order to generate a hydrogen-containing gas for the fuel cell unit by reforming or partial oxidation.