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Title: Purge gas protected transportable pressurized fuel cell modules and their operation in a power plant

Patent ·
OSTI ID:870684

A fuel cell generator apparatus and method of its operation involves: passing pressurized oxidant gas, (O) and pressurized fuel gas, (F), into fuel cell modules, (10 and 12), containing fuel cells, where the modules are each enclosed by a module housing (18), surrounded by an axially elongated pressure vessel (64), where there is a purge gas volume, (62), between the module housing and pressure vessel; passing pressurized purge gas, (P), through the purge gas volume, (62), to dilute any unreacted fuel gas from the modules; and passing exhaust gas, (82), and circulated purge gas and any unreacted fuel gas out of the pressure vessel; where the fuel cell generator apparatus is transpatable when the pressure vessel (64) is horizontally disposed, providing a low center of gravity.

Research Organization:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FC21-91MC28055
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Pittsburgh, PA)
Patent Number(s):
US 5573867
OSTI ID:
870684
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English