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

Methanol hydrogen fuel cell system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6552795

An electro chemical electric power generating apparatus is described comprising first and second electro chemical fuel cells. This apparatus includes spaced anodes and cathodes, electrolytes between the anodes and cathodes, and external electric circuits connecting the anodes and cathodes. A steam-methane reformer operates to reform steam and methane gas into a hydrogen rich gas fuel. The cathode and anode fuels of the first fuel cells are methanol and hydrogen and the byproducts of chemical reaction thereof are water and methane gas. The cathode and anode fuels of the second fuel cell are oxygen and hydrogen and the byproduct of chemical reaction thereof is water. The methane gas byproduct of the first fuel cell and the water byproduct of the first and second fuel cells are conducted to the steam-methane reformer and reformed thereby into hydrogen rich fuel gas. The hydrogen rich fuel gas reformed by the steam-methane reformer is conducted to and feeds the anodes of the fuel cells.

Assignee:
NOV; EDB-87-094946; NOV-87-058308
Patent Number(s):
US 4659634
OSTI ID:
6552795
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English