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):
- A; US 4657829
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 6-453249
- OSTI ID:
- 7152849
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
300501 -- Fuel Cells-- Design & Development
300504* -- Fuel Cells-- Applications
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330300 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Electric-Powered Systems
ALCOHOL FUEL CELLS
ALCOHOLS
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYSIS
FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LYSIS
METHANOL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PEAK LOAD
PYROLYSIS
SIZING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VEHICLES
WATER