Integrated fuel processor for rapid start and operational control
US6838062B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel processor for rapid start and operational control. The fuel processor includes a reformer, a shift reactor, and a preferential oxidation reactor for deriving hydrogen for use in creating electricity in a plurality of H2—O2 fuel cells. A heating and cooling mechanism is coupled to at least the shift reactor for controlling the critical temperature operation of the shift reactor without the need for a separate cooling loop. This heating and cooling mechanism produces or removes thermal energy as a product of the temperature of the combustion of air and fuel. Anode effluent and cathode effluent or air are used to control the temperature output of the heating mechanism. A vaporizer is provided that heats the PrOx reactor to operating temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.