摘要:
An integrated steam reformer/combustor assembly (42) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) that supplies a steam/fuel feed mix (34) to be reformed in the assembly and a combustor feed (40) to be combusted in the assembly (42). The assembly (42) includes a housing (44,58) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (46) located in the first passage to direct the feed mix therethrough, the first convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the feed mix; and a second convoluted fin (50) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough, the second convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the combustor feed.
摘要:
A heat exchanger (50) is provided for transferring heat between first and second fluids (52) and (54) having a maximum operating mass flow rate through the heat exchanger (50) and mass flow rates that are substantially proportional to each other. The heat exchanger (50) provides essentially constant outlet temperatures for the first and second fluids (52,54) for all of the flow rates within the operating spectrum of the heat exchanger (50) without the use of an active control system. The heat exchanger (50) is of particular use in the fuel processing system (36) of proton exchange membrane type fuel cell systems.
摘要:
A fuel processing system is provided wherein heat is transferred from a reformate flow (32) downstream from a water-gas shift (38) to both a) a combustor feed flow (40) that is supplied to a combustor (25); and b) a water flow (26) that is supplied to a reformer feed mix (34) for a steam reformer (28).
摘要:
An integrated fuel cell unit (10) includes an annular array (12) of fuel cell stacks (14), an annular cathode recuperator (20), an annular anode recuperator (22), a reformer (24), and an anode exhaust cooler (26), all integrated within a common housing structure (28).
摘要:
An integrated autothermal reformer/recuperator unit (10) is provided for reforming a feed gas flow to produce a reformate flow. The unit (10) includes a cylindrical housing (18) having a feed gas inlet (26) and a reformate flow outlet (32) located adjacent a first end (20) of the cylindrical housing (18). An autothermal reformer catalyst structure (12) is located in the housing and spaced from the first end, and a recuperator heat exchanger (16) is located in the housing (18) between the first end (20) and the catalyst structure (12).
摘要:
A combustor preheater (94) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) to preheat a combustor feed (40) by transferring heat from a post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) to the combustor feed (40). The combustor preheater (94) includes a housing (92) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (96) located in the first passage to direct the post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) therethrough and a second convoluted fin (98) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough.
摘要:
A recuperative heat exchanger (36) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20), the heat exchanger (36) transferring heat from a fluid flow (34) at one stage of a fuel processing operation to the fluid flow (32) at another stage of the fuel processing operation. The heat exchanger (36) includes a housing (56) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (70) located in the first passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough; and a second convoluted fin (72) located in the second passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough.
摘要:
A heat exchanger for transferring heat energy between a first working fluid and a second working fluid. The heat exchanger can include a first sheet contoured to define a plurality of first fins and having an upper end and a lower end, a second sheet contoured to define a plurality of second fins and being positioned between the upper end of the first sheet and the lower end of the first sheet, and a housing formed from a third sheet and at least partially enclosing the first sheet and the second sheet.
摘要:
A coolant conditioning system is provided for supplying a coolant flow to a fuel processing subsystem. The coolant conditioning system includes a coolant preheater to transfer heat from a reformate flow to the coolant flow, a heater to selectively add heat to the coolant flow in response to the coolant flow dropping below a minimum temperature, at least one outlet flow path to provide a portion of the coolant flow to at least one fuel processing subsystem, and a return flow path to return a remainder of the coolant flow to a storage tank. The coolant conditioning system is dynamically controllable to provide a portion of the coolant flow above a minimum temperature to reduce or prevent condensation of the reformate flow in selected components of the fuel processing subsystem that receive the portion of the coolant flow.
摘要:
A fuel humidifier/pre-heater system (10) is provided for pre-heating and humidifying a fuel flow, and is particularly useful for pre-heating and humidifying a fuel flow for a fuel cell, particularly molten-carbonate fuel cells (60). The system includes a steam generator (12), a water bypass (18), a liquid/steam mixer (20), and a mixture heater (14). The humidified fuel outlet temperature of the system is controlled by bypassing a portion of the water flow around the steam generator (12) so as to control the amount of superheat. The steam is then mixed with the fuel, and then the fuel/steam mixture is heated in the mixture heater (14). Additionally, a fuel bypass (16) can be provided for further temperature control by bypassing a portion of the fuel around the mixture heater (14) and then mixing the bypassed fuel with the steam/fuel mixture that has passed through the mixture heater (14).