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Apparatus for generating a gas which may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1531906

The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.

Research Organization:
Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc., North Canton, OH (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FC26-06NT42809
Assignee:
Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc. (North Canton, OH)
Patent Number(s):
8,668,752
Application Number:
12/554,460
OSTI ID:
1531906
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English