Method and apparatus for preheating of a fuel cell micro-reformer
US6929785B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/129
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method for a preheated micro-reformer system is disclosed comprising a reformer and a micro-reformer in fluid communication with the reformer. The micro-reformer being electrically preheatable. An apparatus comprising a micro-reformer including a first zone and a second zone, the first zone being preheatable to a first temperature and the second zone being preheatable to a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature.A method of using a micro-reformer that is electrically preheatable is disclosed comprising initiating an electrically preheatable micro-reformer. The micro-reformer is preheated. The preheating can be accomplished by converting electrical energy into thermal energy. A method of using a preheated micro-reformer is disclosed comprising preheating a first zone, preheating a second zone to a temperature higher than the first zone, vaporizing a fuel air mixture in the first zone, and reforming the fuel air mixture in the second zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.