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US5409784A
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Plasmatron-fuel cell system for generating electricity
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1993-07-09
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Granted: 1995-04-25
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Expires: 2013-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A plasmatron for generating hydrogen rich gas from hydrocarbon fuel is connected to deliver the hydrogen rich gas to a fuel cell. The fuel cell generates electricity, a moderate portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron to sustain its operation. Embodiments include both vehicular applications and decentralized power generating stations. The plasmatron may be either a water plasmatron or a water free plasmatron. Suitable fuels for the plasmatron to reform include gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, JP4, and biomass derived fuels. The plasmatron supplies hydrogen rich gas or other molecular species to fuel cells of conventionally known designs. The overall efficiency of the plasmatron/fuel cell system can be as high as 48%.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Bromberg
- 👤 Daniel R. Cohn
- 👤 Alexander Rabinovich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M16/00; H01M16/003; H01M16/006; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/087; B01J19/088; B60; B60K; B60K1/00; B60K1/04; B60K8/00; C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/22; C01B3/24; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; C01B2203/00; C01B2203/02; C01B2203/025; C01B2203/0255; C01B2203/04; C01B2203/0465; C01B2203/049; C01B2203/06; C01B2203/066; C01B2203/08; C01B2203/0805; C01B2203/0861; C01B2203/14; C01B2203/142; C01B2203/146; F; F02; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; H01M8/10; H01M8/12; H01M2008/1293; H01M8/14; H01M2008/147; H01M2250/00; H01M2250/20; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0068; H01M2300/0071; H01M2300/0074; H01M2300/0082; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02T; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
Apparatus for generating electricity comprising: a plasmatron for generating a gaseous molecular species; and a fuel cell connected to receive the gaseous species from the plasmatron to generate electricity, a portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus for generating electricity comprising: a plasmatron for generating a gaseous molecular species; and a fuel cell connected to receive the gaseous species from the plasmatron to generate electricity, a portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus for generating electricity comprising: a plasmatron for generating a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon; and a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity, a portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus for generating electricity comprising: a plasmatron for generating a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon; and a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity, a portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plasmatron is a water plasmatron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plasmatron is water free.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fuel cell is a molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 is an alkaline fuel cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fuel cell is a phosphoric acid fuel cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fuel cell is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 further including an electric motor connected to the output of the fuel cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 further including a turbine connected to receive hot gases from the fuel cell for the co-generation of electricity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein hot gases are used for chemical processing in an cogeneration facility.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plasmatron reforms hydrocarbon fuels into substantially only H 2 and soot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plasmatron produces H 2 and soot and further including a cyclone soot remover adapted to separate the soot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plasmatron is adapted to produce hydrogen and acetylene, and further including means for separating the hydrogen from the acetylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 further including a battery for receiving the electrical output from the fuel cell and a motor connected to receive electricity from the battery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 further including gas storage structure for receiving gas from the plasmatron and for delivering the gas to the fuel cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 including a first source of oxygen connected to the fuel cell and further including an additional source of oxygen enriched air connected to the fuel cell for delivering oxygen to the fuel cell for providing power peaking.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 further including a second plasmatron for receiving gases from the plasmatron to reduce unwanted species.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 further including a second plasmatron for receiving gases from the fuel cell and additional hydrocarbons to produce synthesis gas and additional hydrocarbons.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
Method for starting a plasmatron/fuel cell system for generating electricity comprising: Providing a plasmatron to generate a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon; Providing a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity and supply a portion of the generated electricity to the plasmatron; Providing a battery connected to receive electricity from the fuel cell and to supply electricity to the plasmatron; Delivering current from the battery to the plasmatron to initiate plasmatron operation to produce hydrogen-rich gas; and Introducing the produced hydrogen-rich gas into the fuel cell to begin generation of electricity in the fuel cell.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
Method for starting a plasmatron/fuel cell system for generating electricity comprising: Providing a plasmatron to generate a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon; Providing a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity and supply a portion of the generated electricity to the plasmatron; Providing a battery connected to receive electricity from the fuel cell and to supply electricity to the plasmatron; Delivering current from the battery to the plasmatron to initiate plasmatron operation to produce hydrogen-rich gas; and Introducing the produced hydrogen-rich gas into the fuel cell to begin generation of electricity in the fuel cell.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
113 words
Method for starting a plasmatron/fuel cell system for generating electricity comprising: Providing a plasmatron to generate a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon; Providing a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity and supplying a portion of the generated electricity to the plasmatron; Providing structure for storing hydrogen-rich gas and connected to supply the hydrogen-rich gas to the fuel cell; Supplying hydrogen-rich gas from the hydrogen storage structure to the fuel cell to begin fuel cell operation to generate electricity; and Applying a portion of the generated electricity to the plasmatron to begin its operation to supply hydrogen-rich gas to the fuel cell to sustain its operation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
Method for starting a plasmatron/fuel cell system for generating electricity comprising: Providing a plasmatron to generate a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon; Providing a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity and supplying a portion of the generated electricity to the plasmatron; Providing structure for storing hydrogen-rich gas and connected to supply the hydrogen-rich gas to the fuel cell; Supplying hydrogen-rich gas from the hydrogen storage structure to the fuel cell to begin fuel cell operation to generate electricity; and Applying a portion of the generated electricity to the plasmatron to begin its operation to supply hydrogen-rich gas to the fuel cell to sustain its operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hydrocarbon is gasoline.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hydrocarbon is diesel fuel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hydrocarbon is methanol.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hydrocarbon is biomass derived fuel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hydrocarbon is coal derived fuel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hydrocarbon is natural gas.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gaseous molecular species is ammonia.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
65 words
A self propelled vehicle comprising: a plasmatron for generating a hydrogen rich gas from a hydrocarbon; a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity, a portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron; an electric motor connected to receive electricity from the fuel cell; and drive means connected to the motor for propelling the vehicle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
65 words
A self propelled vehicle comprising: a plasmatron for generating a hydrogen rich gas from a hydrocarbon; a fuel cell connected to receive the hydrogen rich gas from the plasmatron to generate electricity, a portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron; an electric motor connected to receive electricity from the fuel cell; and drive means connected to the motor for propelling the vehicle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The self propelled vehicle of claim 30 further including a battery for receiving electricity from the fuel cell and for delivering electricity to the motor and to the plasmatron.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The self propelled vehicle of claim 30 further including hydrogen storage structure for receiving hydrogen rich gas from the plasmatron and for delivering hydrogen rich gas to the fuel cell.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 adapted to be portable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-24 | 1998-10-24 | 1999-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-24 | 2002-10-24 | 2003-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-24 | 2006-10-24 | 2007-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |