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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Heat exchanger for fuel cell power plant reformer

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5729685
This patent describes a method of operating a heat exchanger in a fuel cell power plant. The method comprises: providing a single heat exchanger housing having an inlet end, and outlet end and a medial portion between the inlet and outlet ends; flowing reformed fuel from a reformer through the housing from the inlet end to the outlet end; flowing ray hydrocarbon fuel through the housing from the outlet end to the inlet end in heat exchange relationship with the reformed fuel; flowing coolant water from a power section of the power plant through the housing from the outlet end to the medial portion in heat exchange relationship with the reformed fuel; flowing steam from the power plant through the housing from the medial portion to the inlet end in heat exchange relationship with the reformed fuel; and the reformed fuel entering the inlet end at reformer temperatures and exiting the outlet end at power plant power section temperatures. The raw hydrocarbon fuel entering the outlet end at near ambient temperatures and existing the inlet end at reformer temperature. The coolant water entering the outlet end at power section temperatures and exiting the portion as two phase water-steam mixture, and the steam entering the medial portion at steam separator temperatures and exiting the inlet end at reformer temperatures.
Assignee:
International Fuel Cells Corp., South Windsor, CT (USA)
Patent Number(s):
US 4781241; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-090305A
OSTI ID:
5729685
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English