Fuel cell power supply with oxidant and fuel gas switching
This invention relates to a fuel cell vehicular power plant. Fuel for the fuel stack is supplied by a hydrocarbon (methanol) catalytic cracking reactor and CO shift reactor. A water electrolysis subsystem is associated with the stack. During low power operation part of the fuel cell power is used to electrolyze water with hydrogen and oxygen electrolysis products being stored in pressure vessels. During peak power intervals, viz, during acceleration or start-up, pure oxygen and pure hydrogen from the pressure vessel are supplied as the reaction gases to the cathodes and anodes in place of air and methanol reformate. This allows the fuel cell stack to be sized for normal low power/air operation but with a peak power capacity several times greater than that for normal operation. 2 figs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Assignee:
- United Technologies Corp., Hartford, CT (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4657829; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 6-453249
- OSTI ID:
- 7152849
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 27 Dec 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ALCOHOL FUEL CELLS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
CATALYTIC CRACKING
ELECTROLYSIS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
METHANOL
PEAK LOAD
SIZING
WATER
ALCOHOLS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LYSIS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PYROLYSIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VEHICLES
300504* - Fuel Cells- Applications
300501 - Fuel Cells- Design & Development
330300 - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Electric-Powered Systems