EP0269877A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Fuel cell recycling system
Assignee: UTC Power Corp
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Filing: 1987-10-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell power plant recycles a first portion of the exhaust (32) of a main stack (24) within the main stack and utilizes a second portion of the exhaust (34) to provide fuel to a vent stack (42). The ratio of fuel cells between the main stack and the vent stack is greater than 3:1 and is preferably 9:1.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Sederquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04097; H01M8/24; H01M8/249; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A fuel cell recycling system comprising: a first plurality of fuel cells being adapted to electrochemically convert fuel into electricity and exhaust; a second plurality of fuel cells being adapted to electrochemically convert fuel into electricity and exhaust; feed means for supplying fuel to said first plurality of fuel cells; exhaust means for receiving exhaust from said first plurality of fuel cells; recycling means for directing a first portion of the exhaust of said first plurality of fuel cells from said exhaust means to said feed means to recycle said exhaust from said first plurality of fuel cells in said first plurality of fuel cells; and vent means for directing a second portion of said exhaust from said exhaust means to said second plurality of fuel cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fuel cell recycling system comprising: a first plurality of fuel cells being adapted to electrochemically convert fuel into electricity and exhaust; a second plurality of fuel cells being adapted to electrochemically convert fuel into electricity and exhaust; feed means for supplying fuel to said first plurality of fuel cells; exhaust means for receiving exhaust from said first plurality of fuel cells; recycling means for directing a first portion of the exhaust of said first plurality of fuel cells from said exhaust means to said feed means to recycle said exhaust from said first plurality of fuel cells in said first plurality of fuel cells; and vent means for directing a second portion of said exhaust from said exhaust means to said second plurality of fuel cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fuel cell recycling system of claim 1, wherein ratio of a number of cells in the first plurality of fuel cells to a number of cells in hte second plurality of fuel cells is greater than 3:1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fuel cell recycling system of claim 2 wherein said ratio of 9:1
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fuel cell recycling system for any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said vent means includes a converter means for converting a percentage of said second portion of said exhaust into fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
Method of increasing the utilization of fuel within a fuel cell power plant comprising the steps of: feeding fuel to a first plurality of fuel cells wherein said fuel is converted to electricity and exhaust; collecting said exhaust of said first plurality of fuel cells; feeding a first portion of said exhaust back into said first plurality of fuel cells; and feeding a second portion of said exhaust to a second plurality of fuel cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
Method of increasing the utilization of fuel within a fuel cell power plant comprising the steps of: feeding fuel to a first plurality of fuel cells wherein said fuel is converted to electricity and exhaust; collecting said exhaust of said first plurality of fuel cells; feeding a first portion of said exhaust back into said first plurality of fuel cells; and feeding a second portion of said exhaust to a second plurality of fuel cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Method of claim 5 further comprising: converting a percentage of said second portion of said exhaust into fuel before feeding said second portion into said second plurality of fuel cells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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