Title: Method for generating a gas which may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for generating a gas that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method may include generating a nitrogen-rich stream; merging the nitrogen-rich stream with a hydrocarbon fuel stream into a feed mixture stream; and catalytically converting the feed mixture into a reducing gas.

Inventors:

Scotto, Mark Vincent; Birmingham, Daniel P.; DeBellis, Crispin L.; Perna, Mark Anthony; Rush, Gregory C.

Issue Date:

2013-12-03

Research Org.:

LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc., North Canton, OH (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1531888

Patent Number(s):

8597841

Application Number:

12/554,039

Assignee:

LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc. (North Canton, OH)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

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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C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B2203/1241 - Natural gas or methane

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

H01M8/04738 - {of auxiliary devices, e.g. reformer, compressor, burner}
H01M8/04302 - applied during start-up
H01M8/04231 - {Purging of the reactants}
H01M8/2425 - High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
H01M8/04303 - applied during shut-down

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B13/0251 - {by making use of membranes}
C01B2203/066 - with fuel cells

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

H01M8/04708 - {of fuel cell reactants}
H01M8/04753 - {of fuel cell reactants}

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B21/0438 - {by making use of membranes}

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

H01M8/04776 - {at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformer, compressor, burner}
H01M8/04223 - during start-up or shut-down

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

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B3/384 - {the catalyst being continuously externally heated}

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

H01M8/0606 - with means for production of gaseous reactants

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B2203/0233 - the reforming step being a steam reforming step

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC26-06NT42809

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2009-09-04

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

42 ENGINEERING