Self-regulating feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-generating fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems incorporating the same
US8021446B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/32
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.