US6551732B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of fuel cell cathode effluent in a fuel reformer to produce hydrogen for the fuel cell anode
Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Inc
•
Filing: 2000-09-18
•
Granted: 2003-04-22
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Expires: 2020-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell power system is provided that includes a fuel cell for generating electricity that has a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell processes air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream. The fuel cell power system further includes a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream of hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode. The system then feeds a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for converting the fuel stream into hydrogen. A method of using the system is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Jianguo Xu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04014; H01M8/04022; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04097; H01M8/04119; H01M8/04156; H01M8/0618; H01M8/0662; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (d) a combustor downstream of the fuel cell cathode to burn the cathode effluent; (e) means to direct a portion of the cathode effluent to the combustor; and (f) an expander downstream of the combustor to expand flue gas from the combustor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (d) a combustor downstream of the fuel cell cathode to burn the cathode effluent; (e) means to direct a portion of the cathode effluent to the combustor; and (f) an expander downstream of the combustor to expand flue gas from the combustor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 1 , wherein the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels is selected from the group consisting of one or more of methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel processor is a partial oxidation reactor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel processor is an autothermal reformer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 1 wherein the fuel processor includes a water-gas shift reactor downstream of the autothermal reformer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel processor includes a preferential carbon monoxide oxidation reactor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 1 , including an air compressor upstream of the fuel cell cathode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (d) an air compressor upstream of the fuel cell cathode; and (e) a water vapor saturator downstream of the air compressor and upstream of the fuel cell cathode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (d) an air compressor upstream of the fuel cell cathode; and (e) a water vapor saturator downstream of the air compressor and upstream of the fuel cell cathode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 1 , including at least one heat exchanger downstream of the fuel cell cathode and upstream of the fuel processor to heat the substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
180 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (d) a combustor downstream of the fuel cell anode to burn any anode effluent; and (e) an expander downstream of the combustor to expand flue gas from the combustor wherein the expanded flue gas is used to indirectly heat the inlet fuel stream to the fuel processor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
180 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (d) a combustor downstream of the fuel cell anode to burn any anode effluent; and (e) an expander downstream of the combustor to expand flue gas from the combustor wherein the expanded flue gas is used to indirectly heat the inlet fuel stream to the fuel processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel cell power system of claim 6 , including means to direct a portion of the cathode effluent stream to the preferential oxidation reactor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
183 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) an autothermal reformer for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; and (d) wherein the processed fuel stream exiting the autothermal reformer is cooled by using an unprocessed fuel stream as an indirect heat transfer medium in a heat exchanger that indirectly heats the inlet gas stream and the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor to the autothermal reformer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
183 words
A fuel cell power system, comprising: (a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) an autothermal reformer for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; and (d) wherein the processed fuel stream exiting the autothermal reformer is cooled by using an unprocessed fuel stream as an indirect heat transfer medium in a heat exchanger that indirectly heats the inlet gas stream and the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor to the autothermal reformer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing a fuel processor for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (f) burning a portion of cathode effluent in a combustor; and (g) expanding any flue gas from the combustor using an expander.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing a fuel processor for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (f) burning a portion of cathode effluent in a combustor; and (g) expanding any flue gas from the combustor using an expander.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 13 , wherein the step of providing the inlet fuel stream includes providing an inlet stream selected from the group consisting of one or more of methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 13 , wherein the step of providing the fuel processor includes providing a partial oxidation reactor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 13 , wherein the step of providing the fuel processor includes providing an autothermal reformer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 16 , wherein the step of providing the fuel processor includes providing a water-gas shift reactor downstream of the autothermal reformer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 13 , wherein the step of providing the fuel processor includes providing a preferential carbon monoxide oxidation reactor for processing the processed fuel stream prior to feeding the processed fuel stream into the fuel cell anode.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels; (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing a fuel processor for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (f) compressing the air upstream of the fuel cell cathode; and (g) saturating the compressed air with water vapor prior to the air entering the fuel cell cathode.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels; (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing a fuel processor for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (f) compressing the air upstream of the fuel cell cathode; and (g) saturating the compressed air with water vapor prior to the air entering the fuel cell cathode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 13 , including the step of heating the substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream in at least one heat exchanger downstream of the fuel cell cathode and upstream of the fuel processor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 13 , wherein step of expanding any flue gas includes an expander that is mechanically linked with an air compressor upstream of the fuel cell cathode.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels; (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing a fuel processor for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (f) burning any anode effluent in a combustor; (g) expanding any flue gas from the combustor using an expander; and (h) indirectly heating the inlet fuel stream to the fuel processor utilizing the expanded flue in a heat exchanger.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels; (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing a fuel processor for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (f) burning any anode effluent in a combustor; (g) expanding any flue gas from the combustor using an expander; and (h) indirectly heating the inlet fuel stream to the fuel processor utilizing the expanded flue in a heat exchanger.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 18 , including the step of directing a portion of the cathode effluent stream to the preferential oxidation reactor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system of claim 13 , including the step of directing a portion of the cathode-effluent to the combustor.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels; (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing an autothermal reformer for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; and (f) cooling the processed fuel stream exiting the autothermal reformer by using an unprocessed fuel stream as an indirect heat transfer medium in a heat exchanger which indirectly heats the inlet gas stream and the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor to the autothermal reformer.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for improving the efficiency of a fuel cell power system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) providing an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels; (c) providing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor; (d) providing an autothermal reformer for converting the inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (e) feeding a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; and (f) cooling the processed fuel stream exiting the autothermal reformer by using an unprocessed fuel stream as an indirect heat transfer medium in a heat exchanger which indirectly heats the inlet gas stream and the stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor to the autothermal reformer.
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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) | 2006-04-21 | 2006-10-21 | 2007-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-21 | 2010-10-21 | 2011-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-21 | 2014-10-21 | 2015-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |