公开(公告)号：US06824904B2

公开(公告)日：2004-11-30

申请号：US10133840

申请日：2002-04-26

申请人： Mark A. Brundage ,  William H. Pettit ,  Rodney L. Borup

发明人： Mark A. Brundage ,  William H. Pettit ,  Rodney L. Borup

IPC分类号： H01M804

CPC分类号： H01M8/04225 ,  B01J19/249 ,  B01J23/40 ,  B01J37/0215 ,  B01J2219/0004 ,  B01J2219/2453 ,  B01J2219/2458 ,  B01J2219/2464 ,  B01J2219/2479 ,  B01J2219/2498 ,  C01B3/583 ,  C01B32/50 ,  C01B2203/044 ,  C01B2203/047 ,  C01B2203/146 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/0612 ,  H01M8/0662

摘要： A preferential oxidation reactor is provided including a plurality of reactor sections. The reactor sections are individually optimized for operating at a preferred reaction temperature. In one embodiment, each reactor subsection includes a respective coolant flow for manipulating the operating temperature of the respective subsection. In another embodiment, a first section includes a lower temperature catalyst substrate, a second reactor section includes a higher temperature (i.e. normal) catalyst substrate and a third reactor section includes a lower temperature catalyst substrate. Yet another embodiment includes modifying the catalyst substrates of the respective subsections through the inclusion of promoters. Still another embodiment includes varying a density of the catalyst substrate across the reactor sections. Each of the embodiments enable quick light-off of the reactor, while limiting a reverse water-gas shift reaction.

摘要翻译： 提供了包括多个反应器部分的优先氧化反应器。 反应器部分被单独优化以在优选的反应温度下操作。 在一个实施例中，每个反应器子部分包括相应的冷却剂流，用于操纵相应子部分的工作温度。 在另一个实施方案中，第一部分包括较低温度的催化剂底物，第二反应器部分包括较高温度（即正常的）催化剂基质，第三反应器部分包括较低温度的催化剂基质。 另一个实施方案包括通过包含启动子修饰各个子部分的催化剂底物。 另一个实施方案包括改变跨反应器部分的催化剂基质的密度。 每个实施例使得反应器能够快速点灯，同时限制反向水煤气变换反应。

公开(公告)号：US06521204B1

公开(公告)日：2003-02-18

申请号：US09626553

申请日：2000-07-27

申请人： Rodney L. Borup ,  William H. Pettit

发明人： Rodney L. Borup ,  William H. Pettit

IPC分类号： H01M804

CPC分类号： H01M8/0618 ,  B01B1/005 ,  B01J8/0438 ,  B01J8/0496 ,  B01J2208/00309 ,  B01J2208/00398 ,  B01J2208/00415 ,  B01J2208/00495 ,  B01J2208/00716 ,  B01J2208/0084 ,  B01J2219/00006 ,  B01J2219/00265 ,  B01J2219/024 ,  B01J2219/0277 ,  C01B3/382 ,  C01B3/48 ,  C01B3/583 ,  C01B2203/0244 ,  C01B2203/0283 ,  C01B2203/0288 ,  C01B2203/044 ,  C01B2203/047 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/0811 ,  C01B2203/0822 ,  C01B2203/0827 ,  C01B2203/0844 ,  C01B2203/085 ,  C01B2203/0883 ,  C01B2203/1011 ,  C01B2203/1047 ,  C01B2203/1064 ,  C01B2203/1076 ,  C01B2203/1082 ,  C01B2203/1247 ,  C01B2203/1276 ,  C01B2203/1288 ,  C01B2203/142 ,  C01B2203/1604 ,  C01B2203/82 ,  H01M8/04104 ,  H01M8/04126 ,  H01M8/10 ,  H01M8/1007 ,  H01M8/1011 ,  Y02E60/523 ,  Y02P20/128 ,  Y02P20/584

摘要： In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating a fuel cell system. The system comprises a reactor having one or more catalytic beds and is fed a hydrocarbon fuel along with air and steam. Where more than one catalytic bed is present, such catalytic beds are preferably arranged sequentially such that the outlet from one bed enters the inlet of the next bed. The catalytic beds are the regions where reactions among the hydrocarbon, air, and steam are catalyzed within the reactor. The method comprises supplying a stream of a fuel and air mixture to the reactor which is lean. The mixture is lean in that it has an excess amount of oxygen relative to the stoichiometric amount required for reaction with the fuel. The reactions occurring with the lean mixture heat the reactor. When there is more than one catalytic bed, the hot gases generated from one catalytic bed can be used to heat other catalytic beds. After sufficient heating of the reactor by the lean mixture, a fuel-rich stream is fed to the reactor. This fuel-rich mixture comprises fuel, air, and water in the form of steam. The mixture is rich in that fuel is fed in an excess amount relative to the amount of oxygen for a stoichiometric reaction. The reactions of the fuel-rich stream produce a product comprising hydrogen (H2).

摘要翻译： 一方面，本发明提供一种操作燃料电池系统的方法。 该系统包括具有一个或多个催化床的反应器，并且与空气和蒸汽一起供给烃燃料。 在存在多于一个催化床的情况下，这种催化床优选地顺序地布置，使得一个床的出口进入下一个床的入口。 催化床是在反应器内催化烃，空气和蒸汽之间的反应的区域。 该方法包括将燃料和空气混合物流供应到贫的反应器。 混合物是稀的，因为它相对于与燃料反应所需的化学计量量具有过量的氧气。 与贫混合物发生的反应加热反应器。 当有多于一个催化床时，从一个催化床产生的热气可用于加热其他催化床。 在通过贫混合物充分加热反应器之后，将富燃料物流送入反应器。 这种富燃料的混合物包括蒸汽形式的燃料，空气和水。 混合物富含，相对于化学计量反应的氧气量，燃料以过量的量进料。 富燃料流的反应产生包含氢（H 2）的产物。

公开(公告)号：US06936238B2

公开(公告)日：2005-08-30

申请号：US10236828

申请日：2002-09-06

申请人： Mohammed E. H. Sennoun ,  William H. Pettit ,  Rodney L. Borup ,  Gerald E. Voecks

发明人： Mohammed E. H. Sennoun ,  William H. Pettit ,  Rodney L. Borup ,  Gerald E. Voecks

IPC分类号： B01B1/00 ,  B01J8/04 ,  C01B3/38 ,  C01B3/48 ,  H01M8/06 ,  C01B3/26

CPC分类号： C01B3/48 ,  B01B1/005 ,  B01J8/0411 ,  B01J2208/00309 ,  C01B3/382 ,  C01B3/384 ,  C01B2203/0233 ,  C01B2203/0244 ,  C01B2203/0255 ,  C01B2203/0261 ,  C01B2203/0283 ,  C01B2203/044 ,  C01B2203/047 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/0844 ,  C01B2203/1276 ,  C01B2203/142 ,  C01B2203/1604 ,  C01B2203/80 ,  C01B2203/82 ,  H01M8/0612 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  Y02P20/129

摘要： A compact autothermal (partial oxidation and steam reforming) fuel reactor is provided for implementation with a fuel cell system. The reactor includes a premixing chamber for premixing a volume of air, steam and fuel into an effluent, a thermal POX reactor, a first stage reforming segment, a post-premix chamber, and a second stage reforming segment. Further provided are a water/fuel vaporizer for supplying steam and fuel as a gas to the premix chamber and an airflow cavity disposed about the reactor for pre-heating air supplied to the premix chamber. The thermal POX segment operates during an initial start-up period for pre-heating the other components of the reactor. Once the other components achieve an operation temperature, the first and second stage reforming segments catalytically reform the effluent. The premix and post-premix chambers enable variance in the O/C and S/C ratios to be achieved as the effluent is reformed through the multiple stages.

摘要翻译： 提供紧凑型自热（部分氧化和蒸汽重整）燃料反应器用于实施燃料电池系统。 反应器包括预混合室，用于将体积的空气，蒸汽和燃料预先混合到流出物中，热POX反应器，第一级重整段，后预混合室和第二级重整段。 还提供了一种用于将蒸汽和燃料作为气体供应到预混合室的水/燃料蒸发器和设置在反应器周围的用于预加热供应到预混合室的空气的气流腔。 热POX段在初始启动期间运行，用于预热反应堆的其他部件。 一旦其它组分达到操作温度，第一和第二阶段重整段催化改性流出物。 预混合和预混合室可以实现O / C和S / C比的变化，因为流出物通过多级重整。

公开(公告)号：US08945785B2

公开(公告)日：2015-02-03

申请号：US13345288

申请日：2012-01-06

申请人： Daniel I. Harris ,  Derek R. Lebzelter ,  John P. Salvador ,  William H. Pettit ,  Akbar Chowdhury ,  Edward G. Himes

发明人： Daniel I. Harris ,  Derek R. Lebzelter ,  John P. Salvador ,  William H. Pettit ,  Akbar Chowdhury ,  Edward G. Himes

IPC分类号： H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04955 ,  H01M8/04559

摘要： A system and method for reducing the frequency of stack stand-by mode events, if necessary, as a fuel cell stack ages and experiences lower performance. The method determines an irreversible voltage loss of the fuel cell stack at predetermined time intervals and determines a stack voltage degradation variable based on the irreversible voltage loss. The method also determines if the stack voltage degradation variable indicates that the fuel cell stack will not meet predetermined stack end-of-life voltage requirements and calculates a maximum allowed voltage degradation rate of the fuel cell stack. The method calculates a maximum number of stand-by mode events per unit time that can be allowed to prevent the stack from exceeding the maximum allowed degradation rate and controls the number of stand-by mode events based on the calculated maximum number of stand-by mode events.

摘要翻译： 如果需要，当燃料电池堆老化并且经历较低的性能时，用于降低堆叠待机模式事件的频率的系统和方法。 该方法以预定的时间间隔确定燃料电池堆的不可逆电压损失，并且基于不可逆的电压损耗确定堆电压劣化变量。 该方法还确定堆叠电压劣化变量是否表明燃料电池堆不能满足预定的堆积寿命电压要求并且计算燃料电池堆的最大允许电压降低率。 该方法计算出每单位时间的待机模式事件的最大次数，可以被允许以防止堆栈超过允许的最大降级率，并根据计算的最大待机数量控制待机模式事件的数量 模式事件。

公开(公告)号：US08158288B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-17

申请号：US13092223

申请日：2011-04-22

申请人： Steven G. Goebel ,  William H. Pettit ,  John C. Fagley ,  Lee C. Whitehead

发明人： Steven G. Goebel ,  William H. Pettit ,  John C. Fagley ,  Lee C. Whitehead

IPC分类号： H01M8/06 ,  H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04253 ,  H01M2008/1095

摘要： A model uses various operating characteristics of a fuel cell to predict the relative humidity profile that is occurring within the fuel cell as a function of the reaction progress. The model is used to predict the relative humidity profile that will occur in response to changes to one or more of the operating characteristics of the fuel cell. A high frequency resistance of the fuel cell can also be used as a measure that is indicative of the humidity within the fuel cell. The model and/or the high frequency resistance can be used in a closed-loop feedback system to control the operation of the fuel cell to maintain the humidification of the MEA and fuel cells within a desired range to achieve a desired fuel cell performance.

摘要翻译： 模型使用燃料电池的各种操作特性来预测在燃料电池内发生的相对湿度分布作为反应进程的函数。 该模型用于预测响应于燃料电池的一个或多个操作特性的变化而发生的相对湿度分布。 燃料电池的高频电阻也可以用作指示燃料电池内的湿度的措施。 该模型和/或高频阻抗可以用在闭环反馈系统中以控制燃料电池的操作，以将MEA和燃料电池的加湿保持在期望的范围内，以实现期望的燃料电池性能。

公开(公告)号：US20100015505A1

公开(公告)日：2010-01-21

申请号：US12175511

申请日：2008-07-18

申请人： Daniel P. Miller ,  Jeffrey A. Rock ,  William H. Pettit

发明人： Daniel P. Miller ,  Jeffrey A. Rock ,  William H. Pettit

IPC分类号： H01M2/14

CPC分类号： H01M8/026 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/248 ,  H01M2008/1095

摘要： A fuel cell plate assembly is disclosed that comprises a first plate having a plurality of protuberances formed in a bottom of flow channels formed thereon, wherein the protuberances abut a bottom of flow channels formed on a second plate when the first plate and the second plate are disposed adjacent one another.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种燃料电池板组件，其包括具有形成在其上形成的流动通道的底部中的多个突起的第一板，其中当第一板和第二板是第二板时，突起邻接形成在第二板上的流动通道的底部 彼此相邻放置。

公开(公告)号：US07638213B2

公开(公告)日：2009-12-29

申请号：US11117791

申请日：2005-04-29

申请人： Kevin Stukey ,  William H. Pettit

发明人： Kevin Stukey ,  William H. Pettit

IPC分类号： H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04074 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04119

摘要： A vaporizer is provided for vaporizing liquid in a fluid stream. The vaporizer includes at least two heat exchangers serially arranged in a direction of flow of the fluid stream through the vaporizer for vaporizing liquid in the fluid stream in stages. The heat exchangers each comprise a first plurality of thermally conductive flow channels through which the fluid stream flows and a second plurality of thermally conductive flow channels through which a heating stream flows and which are in heat exchange relationship with the first plurality of thermally conductive flow channels. A liquid supply means is provided for adding liquid to a downstream heat exchanger. The added liquid mixes with the vaporized stream exiting an upstream heat exchanger for vaporization in the downstream heat exchanger.

摘要翻译： 提供蒸发器用于使流体流中的液体蒸发。 蒸发器包括至少两个热交换器，其沿流动流的流动方向串联地布置，通过蒸发器，用于分级地使流体流中的液体蒸发。 热交换器各自包括流体流通过的第一多个导热流动通道和第二多个热传导流动通道，加热流通过该第二多个热传导流动通道并与第一多个导热流动通道热交换 。 提供液体供应装置用于将液体添加到下游热交换器。 所添加的液体与离开上游热交换器的汽化物流混合，以在下游热交换器中蒸发。

公开(公告)号：US07524344B2

公开(公告)日：2009-04-28

申请号：US11243084

申请日：2005-10-04

申请人： Craig S. Gittleman ,  William H. Pettit ,  Gerald E. Voecks

发明人： Craig S. Gittleman ,  William H. Pettit ,  Gerald E. Voecks

IPC分类号： C10J3/46

CPC分类号： B01D53/06 ,  B01D53/047 ,  B01D53/261 ,  B01D2253/102 ,  B01D2253/104 ,  B01D2253/106 ,  B01D2253/108 ,  B01D2253/1124 ,  B01D2253/25 ,  B01D2256/16 ,  B01D2257/502 ,  B01D2257/80 ,  B01D2258/0208 ,  B01D2259/40001 ,  B01D2259/40052 ,  B01D2259/40056 ,  B01D2259/40081 ,  B01D2259/4145 ,  C01B3/48 ,  C01B3/56 ,  C01B2203/0283 ,  C01B2203/043 ,  C01B2203/0465 ,  C01B2203/047 ,  C01B2203/0475 ,  C01B2203/0495 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/146 ,  H01M8/0662

摘要： An apparatus removes carbon monoxide (CO) from a hydrogen-rich gas stream in a hydrogen fuel cell system. CO fouls costly catalytic particles in the membrane electrode assemblies of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. A vessel houses a carbon monoxide adsorbent. The vessel may be a rotating pressure swing adsorber. A water gas shift reactor is upstream of the rotating pressure swing adsorber. The water gas shift reactor may include a second adsorbent adapted to adsorb carbon monoxide at low temperatures and to desorb carbon monoxide at high temperatures. The apparatus advantageously eliminates the use of a preferential oxidation (PROX) reactor, by providing an apparatus which incorporates CO adsorption in the place of the PROX reactor. This cleans up carbon monoxide without hydrogen consumption and the concomitant, undesirable excess low grade heat generation. The present invention reduces start-up duration, and improves overall fuel processor efficiency during normal operation.

公开(公告)号：US20070298289A1

公开(公告)日：2007-12-27

申请号：US11475695

申请日：2006-06-27

申请人： Bruce J. Clingerman ,  Jason R. Kolodziej ,  Derek S. Kilmer ,  Pinkhas A. Rapaport ,  David S. Mathews ,  Shyam Kocha ,  Abdullah B. Alp ,  Matthew K. Hortop ,  William H. Pettit

发明人： Bruce J. Clingerman ,  Jason R. Kolodziej ,  Derek S. Kilmer ,  Pinkhas A. Rapaport ,  David S. Mathews ,  Shyam Kocha ,  Abdullah B. Alp ,  Matthew K. Hortop ,  William H. Pettit

IPC分类号： H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04955 ,  B60L11/1894 ,  B60L2240/622 ,  B60L2240/662 ,  B60L2240/80 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04228 ,  H01M8/04231 ,  H01M8/04253 ,  H01M8/0432 ,  H01M8/04358 ,  H01M8/04365 ,  H01M8/04731 ,  H01M8/241 ,  Y02T10/7291 ,  Y02T90/16 ,  Y02T90/162 ,  Y02T90/34

摘要： A fuel cell system that employs a method for determining the potential that a freeze condition will exist after the system is shut-down based on predetermined input, such as ambient temperature, geographical location, user usage profile, date, weather reports, etc. If the system determines that a freeze condition is probable, then the system initiates a purge shut-down of the fuel cell system where water is purged out of the reactant gas flow channels. If the system determines that a freeze condition is unlikely, then it will initiate a normal shut-down procedure without purging the flow channels. The system will then periodically determine if the conditions have changed, and will initiate the purge if a freeze condition subsequently becomes probable.

摘要翻译： 一种燃料电池系统，其采用基于诸如环境温度，地理位置，用户使用情况，日期，天气报告等预定输入关闭系统之后将存在冻结状态的潜力的方法。如果 系统确定冷冻条件是可能的，则系统启动燃料电池系统的清除关闭，其中将水从反应物气体流动通道中排出。 如果系统确定冻结条件不太可能，那么它将启动一个正常的停机程序，而不需要清除流量通道。 然后，系统将定期确定条件是否已更改，并且如果冻结条件随后变为可能，将启动清除。

公开(公告)号：US06669463B2

公开(公告)日：2003-12-30

申请号：US10044338

申请日：2002-01-11

申请人： Matthew J. Beutel ,  William H. Pettit ,  Steven G. Goebel

发明人： Matthew J. Beutel ,  William H. Pettit ,  Steven G. Goebel

IPC分类号： F23D340

CPC分类号： F23C13/00 ,  C01B3/323 ,  C01B2203/0233 ,  C01B2203/0283 ,  C01B2203/044 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/0811 ,  C01B2203/0822 ,  C01B2203/0827 ,  C01B2203/1223 ,  C01B2203/1288 ,  F23L15/00 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04302 ,  H01M8/0612 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  Y02E20/348 ,  Y02P20/128

摘要： The present invention provides a combustor for a fuel processor which integrates a burner and a catalyst. The burner is utilized to quickly heat the catalyst to a light-off temperature to prepare it for normal operation. The heated catalyst is then used to react anode exhaust with air or cathode exhaust under normal operation.