摘要:
An apparatus for processing fuel gases, in particular for a fuel cell, includes primary and secondary catalytic oxidation means for the oxidation of carbon monoxide in a reformed fuel gas flow. Small quantities of oxygen required for the secondary oxidation are provided by passing the oxygen through a first oxygen permeable membrane. The oxygen may be supplied as air, pure oxygen or an oxygenated solution. An oxygen fuel supply to the fuel cell may additionally be humidified by allowing water to pass from a water flow across a further membrane into the oxygen supply. Oxygen passing across the further membrane in the opposite sense to the water may serve to oxygenate the water for supplying to the first membrane.
摘要:
The invention is drawn to an electrical power generation system and a method of electrical power generation. The system includes a supply of hydrogen-containing fuel and a reformer for obtaining hydrogen therefrom, a supply of oxygen and a material for producing an exothermic reaction. The system also includes a fuel cell and means for disposing of waste products arising from the fuel cell and other parts of the system, a control means and heat exchange means for regulating flow streams and balancing the heating and cooling requirements. The reformer comprises a reforming chamber, inlet and outlet for the fuel. Also the reformer includes a second chamber which surrounds the reforming chamber and a preheating chamber. Fins extend through a wall separating the reforming and surrounding chamber.
摘要:
There is disclosed an electrical generating plant, especially for use in a submarine, having dual modes of operation and which comprises a fuel cell which requires a supply of gaseous hydrogen and a supply of gaseous oxygen in order to generate an electrical output. First supply means supplies to the plant a hydrogen-containing compound, preferably methanol, which is liquid at NTP and which can undergo an endothermic reaction to liberate gaseous hydrogen, and second supply means is provided which is selectively operable for supplying to the plant liquid hydrogen peroxide in a first mode of operation and air in a second mode of operation. A reformer is connected to the first supply means and causes the hydrogen-containing compound to undergo the endothermic reaction with liberation of gaseous hydrogen, whereas a decomposer is selectively connectible to the second supply means, in the first mode of operation, and is arranged to decompose the hydrogen peroxide exothermically so as to liberate gaseous oxygen. Means is provided, preferably by means of the decomposer in the first mode of operation, for transmitting heat to the hydrogen-containing compound, prior to and/or during its reception by the reformer, so as to maintain the endothermic reaction in the reformer. However, for the second mode of operation, separate means is provided for supplying heat to the reformer, in order to maintain the endothermic reaction. The gaseous hydrogen given-off in the reformer is supplied to the fuel cell, in the first and second modes of operation. Concerning the supply of gaseous oxygen to the fuel cell, this is derived from the decomposer in the first mode of operation, whereas it is obtained from an air source in the second mode of operation, whereby an electrical output is obtainable from the fuel cell in the first or the second modes of operation. When the electrical generating plant is applied to a submarine, the plant can operate in the first mode of operation underwater, and in the second mode of operation during surface or snorting operation of the submarine.