Title: Solid-oxide fuel cell system having a fuel combustor to pre-heat reformer on start-up

Abstract

In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a catalytic reformer unit provides reformate fuel for use by the cells in generating electricity. Both the reformer and the fuel cells require elevated temperatures for satisfactory operation. The reformer unit is provided with a combustion chamber and igniter ahead of the catalytic reformer plates such that, during start-up, fuel/air mixture normally destined for reformation may be ignited in the combustion chamber to provide a hot combustion exhaust which is fed through the catalytic reformer and the anode reformate flow spaces to assist in rapidly bringing the fuel cell system to operating temperature.

Inventors:

Schumann, David R.; Kelly, Sean M.; Haltiner, Jr., Karl J.

Issue Date:

Tue Aug 12 00:00:00 EDT 2008

Research Org.:

Delphi Technologies,Inc., Troy, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1531827

Patent Number(s):

7410016

Application Number:

10/178,125

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Troy, MI)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F23 - COMBUSTION APPARATUS F23C - METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN  {A CARRIER GAS OR} AIR 

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F23 - COMBUSTION APPARATUS F23C - METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN  {A CARRIER GAS OR} AIR 

F23C13/00 - Apparatus in which combustion takes place in the presence of catalytic material
F23C13/02 - characterised by arrangements for starting the operation, e.g. for heating the catalytic material to operating temperature
F23C2900/03002 - Combustion apparatus adapted for incorporating a fuel reforming device

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M8/0267 - having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
H01M8/0271 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
H01M8/04022 - {Heating by combustion}
H01M8/04223 - during start-up or shut-down
H01M8/04225 - during start-up
H01M8/0612 - from carbon-containing material
H01M8/2432 - Grouping of unit cells of planar configuration
H01M8/2483 - characterised by internal manifolds
H01M8/249 - comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC26-02NT41246

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2002-06-24

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English