摘要:
A method and device for operating a fuel cell system. A recirculation loop coupled to a fuel cell cathode ensures that fluids passing through the cathode are recycled, thereby enabling reaction between residual oxygen in the recycled fluid and fuel that has been introduced into the recirculation loop until a reduced voltage level across the fuel cell is achieved. Attainment of the reduced voltage level indicates that the recycled fluid is substaintially oxygen-free, yielding an inerting fluid. Thereafter, this compound, followed by air, or air directly can be used to purged the fuel cell's anode and relating flowpath during system shutdown. Similarly during system startup, hydrogen can then be introduced into the fuel cell's anode and then air into the cathode and related flowpath for normal operation. The placemet of a purge valve allows the anode to be purged with air without re-introducing air into the cathode.
摘要:
A fuel cell system including a fuel reforming processor having a catalyst therein constructed and arranged to produce a reformate stream including hydrogen and carbon monoxide, a water gas shift reactor downstream of the fuel reforming processor and wherein the water gas shift reactor includes a catalyst therein constructed and arranged to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide in the reformate stream, a preferential oxidation reactor downstream of the water gas shift reactor and wherein the preferential oxidation reactor includes a catalyst therein constructed and arranged to preferentially oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and to produce a hydrogen-rich stream, and a fuel cell stack downstream of the preferential oxidation reactor constructed and arranged to produce electricity from the hydrogen-rich stream, a first direct water vaporizing combustor constructed and arranged to combust fuel producing a high-temperature fuel combustion byproducts exhaust and to produce steam from water sprayed into the combustion byproduct exhaust and wherein the first direct water vaporizing combustor is plumbed to the fuel reforming reactor to charge steam therein, and a second direct water vaporizing combustor constructed and arranged to combust fuel to produce a high-temperature fuel combustion byproduct exhaust and to produce steam from water sprayed into the fuel combustion byproduct exhaust and wherein the second direct water vaporizing combustor is plumbed to the water gas shift reactor to charge steam therein.
摘要:
A thermal management system of an electrochemical engine comprises a radiator provided with a wicking mechanism, a coolant pump fluidly connected to the radiator, a water tank, and a water pump. The water tank is located in the void spaces around fuel storage tanks, and may be filled directly or with reclaimed water from a vapor by-product of the electrochemical engine. The water pump is operable to supply water from the water tank to the wicking mechanism during peak power and/or hot day conditions. Moisture in the vapor by-product may be condensed with the excess cooling capacity of the radiator under less severe cooling conditions. Under freezing conditions, exhaust or coolant from the electrochemical engine may be used to unfreeze water in the tank and wicking mechanism supply lines.
摘要:
A fuel processor system capable of circulating fuel processor system gases, such as reformate, anode exhaust, and/or combustor exhaust, through the fuel processor to provide a number of distinct advantages. The fuel processor system having a plurality of fuel cells discharging an H2-containing anode effluent and an O2-containing cathode effluent. A fuel processor is also provided for converting a hydrogen-containing fuel to H2-containing reformate for fueling the plurality of fuel cells. A catalytic combustor is positioned in series downstream from the plurality of fuel cells and a vaporizer reactor is coupled to the catalytic combustor. A bypass passage is finally provided that interconnects an outlet of at least one of the group consisting of the fuel processor, the plurality of fuel cells, the catalytic combustor, and the vaporizer reactor to the inlet of the fuel processor. The bypass passage is operable to circulate a fuel processor system gas to the inlet of the fuel processor.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
An improved fuel processor thermal management system for use with a fuel cell is disclosed. The process includes supplying an air stream and a fuel stream into a auto thermal reactor (ATR) and forming reformate gas therein. Then, preferentially oxidizing the reformate gas and the air stream in the preferential oxidizer reactor (PrOx). The temperature of the preferential oxidizer reaction is controlled with a water stream by vaporizing the water stream to form a first portion of vaporized water. Then, reacting the air stream with the reformate gas exiting the PrOx is reached in a fuel cell to form an anode exhaust stream which is subsequently combined with the air stream to heat the water stream to form a second portion of vaporized water. The first portion of vaporized water and the second portion of vaporized water form a steam fluid. The steam fluid heats the auto thermal reactor and the air stream prior to entering the ATR and the reformate gas prior to entering the water shift gas reactor (WGS) to control the temperature of the reformate gas.
摘要:
A fuel processor for a fuel cell includes a thermal start device, a mixing region and a temperature control element. The temperature control element is located between the thermal start device and the mixing region. The temperature control element reduces temperature increase in the mixing region during thermal startup. A flame arrestor is connected to the mixing region. A primary reactor is connected to the flame arrestor. The transient temperature control element has a body defining an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of bores are formed in the body.