Plasma-catalyzed, thermally-integrated reformer for fuel cell systems
US9240605B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/129
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.