US4365007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuel cell with internal reforming
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
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Filing: 1981-06-12
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2001-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell system provided with a first passage means in communication with and adjacent to a cell diffusion electrode and with a second passage means having a catalyst for reforming hydrocarbons and communicating with the first passage means through a gas porous member. Differential pressure means is further provided to establish a pressure differential between the passage means for promoting reformed gas flow from the second passage means to the first passage means and retarding electrolyte vapor passage from the first passage means to the second passage means.
Inventors
- 👤 Hansraj C. Maru
- 👤 Pinakin S. Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/0625; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An electrochemical cell system comprising: a gas diffusion electrode; first passage means in communication with said electrode; second passage means having a catalyst for reforming hydrocarbons and including a gas porous member in communication with said first passage means; and means for establishing a differential pressure between said first and second passage means so as to promote gas flow from said second passage means through said gas-porous member to said first passage means, whereby the hydrocarbon content of supply gas introduced into said second passage means is reformed by said catalyst and said reformed hydrocarbon content is aided by said differential pressure to pass through said gas-porous member into said first passage means to said gas-diffusion electrode for electrochemical reaction, and electrolyte vapor in said first passage means is retarded by said differential pressure from contacting and passing through said gas-porous member to said second passage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An electrochemical cell system comprising: a gas diffusion electrode; first passage means in communication with said electrode; second passage means having a catalyst for reforming hydrocarbons and including a gas porous member in communication with said first passage means; and means for establishing a differential pressure between said first and second passage means so as to promote gas flow from said second passage means through said gas-porous member to said first passage means, whereby the hydrocarbon content of supply gas introduced into said second passage means is reformed by said catalyst and said reformed hydrocarbon content is aided by said differential pressure to pass through said gas-porous member into said first passage means to said gas-diffusion electrode for electrochemical reaction, and electrolyte vapor in said first passage means is retarded by said differential pressure from contacting and passing through said gas-porous member to said second passage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cell in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said gas-porous member includes said catalyst.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said gas-porous member comprises a perforated plate; and said catalyst is a layer disposed on said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cell in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said plate comprises a non gas-porous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cell in accordance with claim 4 wherein: said material is stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell in accordance with claim 3 or 4 wherein: said layer is on the surface of said plate facing said second passage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cell in accordance with claim 6 further comprising: a further layer disposed on the surface of said plate facing said first passage means, said further layer comprising a material allowing selective passage of products of said reformed hydrocarbon content.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cell in accordance with claim 7 wherein: said further layer comprises one of nickel and palladium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said layer is on the surfaces of said plate facing said first and second passage means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cell in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said gas-porous member comprises a plate of gas-porous material; and said catalyst is a layer disposed on said plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell in accordance with claim 3 or 10 wherein: said plate comprises one of nickel, nickel alloy and palladium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell in accordance with claim 3 or 4 wherein: said layer is on the surface of said plate facing said second passage means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cell in accordance with claim 2, 3 or 10 wherein: said gas-porous member is corrugated so as to have crest regions and valley regions, said crest regions serving to partially define said first passage means and said valley regions serving to partially define said second passage means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell in accordance with claim 13 wherein: said anode electrode contacts the peaks of said valley regions to further define said first passage means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cell in accordance with claim 14 further comprising: a separator plate disposed in contact with the peaks of said crest regions to further define said second passage means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cell in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said gas-porous member comprises a conductive gas-porous matrix; and said catalyst is contained in the pores of said matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell in accordance with claim 16 wherein: said conductive matrix comprises one of nickel, nickel alloy and palladium material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cell in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said first passage means has first entry and exit ends: and said second passage means has second entry and exit ends, said gas-porous member being situated between said second entry and exit ends.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cell in accordance with claim 18 wherein: said differential pressure means maintains said differential pressure over the lengths of said first and second passage means commensurate with the length of said gas-porous member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cell in accordance with claim 19 wherein: said gas-porous member extends from said second entry end to said second exit end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell in accordance with claim 20 wherein: said first exit and entry ends are adjacent to said second exit and entry ends, respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cell in accordance with claim 18 wherein: said differential pressure means includes a first constriction means selectively disposed in one of said first and second passage means for constricting the flow therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cell in accordance with claim 22 wherein: said one passage means is said second passage means; and said first constriction means includes a first constriction member disposed adjacent the exit end of said one passage means for selectively constricting said exit end of said one passage means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cell in accordance with claim 22 wherein: said one passage means is said first passage means; and said first constriction means includes a first constriction member disposed adjacent the entry end of said one passage means for selectively constricting said entry end of said one passage means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell in accordance with claim 23 or 24 wherein: said first constriction member totally constricts the entry end of said one passage means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell in accordance with claim 20 or 21 wherein: said first constriction member partially constricts said adjacent end of said one passage means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cell in accordance with claim 22 wherein: said differential pressure means further includes a second constriction means selectively disposed in the other of said first and second passage means for constricting the flow therein.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cell in accordance with claim 1 or 2 further comprising: an electrolyte adjacent said gas diffusion electrode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cell in accordance with claim 28 wherein: said gas diffusion electrode is an anode electrode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cell in accordance with claim 28 wherein: said electrolyte is molten carbonate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cell in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the porosity of said gas-porous member is selected to promote uniformity in the flow distribution of said reformed hydrocarbon content passing into said first passage means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cell in accordance with claim 31 wherein: said gas-porous member comprises a plate having perforations of size and distribution selected to provide flow distribution uniformity.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cell in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said catalyst comprises a catalyst pellet bed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein: said gas-diffusion electrode is an anode electrode; and said supply gas is anode supply gas.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cell in accordance with claim 34 wherein: said anode supply gas includes methane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |