摘要:
A solid-oxide fuel cell system having a compact, highly space-efficient basal manifold for conveying high temperature air, exhaust, and hydrogen-rich reformate fuel to and from the core components of the system. The manifold is a three-dimensional assembly of plates and partitioned elements which are easily and inexpensively formed. When assembled, the manifold comprises a network of passageways which allow for the mounting, close-coupling, and integration of critical fuel cell system components, including heat exchangers, a tail gas combustor and fuel reformer, solid-oxide fuel cell stacks, check valves, and oxygen scavengers.
摘要:
In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, a co-flow heat exchanger is provided in the flow paths of the reformate gas and the cathode air ahead of the fuel cell stack, the reformate gas being on one side of the exchanger and the cathode air being on the other. The reformate gas is at a substantially higher temperature than is desired in the stack, and the cathode gas is substantially cooler than desired. In the co-flow heat exchanger, the temperatures of the reformate and cathode streams converge to nearly the same temperature at the outlet of the exchanger. Preferably, the heat exchanger is formed within an integrated component manifold (ICM) for a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly.