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U.S. Department of Energy
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Reforming of fuel inside fuel cell generator

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5041080
In a solid oxide fuel cell generator having individual fuel cells in a refractory container, where the fuel cells generate a partially spent fuel stream and a partially spent oxidant stream, an improved method of reforming a gaseous reformable fuel within the container is described comprising (A) dividing the partially spent fuel stream into two streams, spent fuel steam I and spent fuel stream II; (B) burning spent fuel stream I with the partially spent oxidant stream inside the refractory container to produce an exhaust stream; (C) dividing the exhaust stream into two streams, exhaust stream I and exhaust stream II; (D) venting exhaust stream I: (E) mixing exhaust stream II with spent fuel stream II for form a recycle stream; (F) mixing the recycle stream with the gaseous reformable fuel within the refractory container to form a fuel stream; and (G) supplying the fuel stream to the fuel cells.
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4729931
OSTI ID:
5041080
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English