Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system
US7419518B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In a hydrogen generator according to the invention, a reformer temperature sensor detects the temperature of a reformer at a start of a stop operation of a hydrogen generator. In a controller, a processing and controlling portion compares the detected temperature with first to fourth reference temperatures pre-stored in a storage portion, and determines which of the following conditions is the temperature condition of the hydrogen generator at the stop; a first condition in which water condensation occurs, a second condition in which water condensation and carbon deposition are avoidable, a third condition in which carbon deposition occurs, a fourth condition in which disproportionation reaction occurs, and a fifth condition in which oxidization of catalyst occurs. According to the determination result, an appropriate setting is selected among first to fifth replacement settings pre-stored in the controller corresponding to the first to fifth conditions, and an internal gas replacement operation is performed according to the selected setting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.