Apparatus and method for operation of a high temperature fuel cell system using recycled anode exhaust

Patent · 05 February 2008

OSTI ID:1531547

Haltiner, Jr., Karl J.; Grieve, Malcolm J.; Keegan, Kevin R.; Schumann, David R.

A method for improving the efficiency of a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer and close-coupled fuel cell system by recycling a percentage of the anode exhaust syngas directly into the reformer in a range between about 20% and about 60%. Oxygen is supplied to the reformer at start-up. Under equilibrium conditions, oxygen required for reforming of hydrocarbon fuel is derived entirely from endothermic reforming of water and carbon dioxide in the recycled syngas. Recycling of anode syngas into the reformer increases fuel efficiency, adds excess water to the reformate to increase protection against anode coking, and protects the fuel cell stack against air- and water-borne contaminants. A method for producing an excess amount of syngas for exporting for other purposes is also provided.

• Research Organization: Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC26-02NT41246
• Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Troy, MI)
• Patent Number(s): 7,326,482
• Application Number: 10/793,302
• OSTI ID: 1531547
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
42 ENGINEERING