Reforming of fuel inside fuel cell generator
Abstract
Disclosed is an improved method of reforming a gaseous reformable fuel within a solid oxide fuel cell generator, wherein the solid oxide fuel cell generator has a plurality of individual fuel cells in a refractory container, the fuel cells generating a partially spent fuel stream and a partially spent oxidant stream. The partially spent fuel stream is divided into two streams, spent fuel stream 1 and spent fuel stream 2. Spent fuel stream 1 is burned with the partially spent oxidant stream inside the refractory container to produce an exhaust stream. The exhaust stream is divided into two streams, exhaust stream 1 and exhaust stream 2, and exhaust stream 1 is vented. Exhaust stream 2 is mixed with spent fuel stream 2 to form a recycle stream. The recycle stream is mixed with the gaseous reformable fuel within the refractory container to form a fuel stream which is supplied to the fuel cells. Also disclosed is an improved apparatus which permits the reforming of a reformable gaseous fuel within such a solid oxide fuel cell generator. The apparatus comprises a mixing chamber within the refractory container, means for diverting a portion of the partially spent fuel stream to the mixingmore »
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 7269324
- Patent Number(s):
- 4729931
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 6-926300
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-80ET17089
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 3 Nov 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; GAS FUELS; REFORMER PROCESSES; SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS; CHEMICAL REACTORS; DESIGN; EXHAUST GASES; OPERATION; RECYCLING; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS; FLUIDS; FUEL CELLS; FUELS; GASEOUS WASTES; GASES; WASTES; 300500* - Fuel Cells
Citation Formats
Grimble, R E. Reforming of fuel inside fuel cell generator. United States: N. p., 1988.
Web.
Grimble, R E. Reforming of fuel inside fuel cell generator. United States.
Grimble, R E. Tue .
"Reforming of fuel inside fuel cell generator". United States.
@article{osti_7269324,
title = {Reforming of fuel inside fuel cell generator},
author = {Grimble, R E},
abstractNote = {Disclosed is an improved method of reforming a gaseous reformable fuel within a solid oxide fuel cell generator, wherein the solid oxide fuel cell generator has a plurality of individual fuel cells in a refractory container, the fuel cells generating a partially spent fuel stream and a partially spent oxidant stream. The partially spent fuel stream is divided into two streams, spent fuel stream 1 and spent fuel stream 2. Spent fuel stream 1 is burned with the partially spent oxidant stream inside the refractory container to produce an exhaust stream. The exhaust stream is divided into two streams, exhaust stream 1 and exhaust stream 2, and exhaust stream 1 is vented. Exhaust stream 2 is mixed with spent fuel stream 2 to form a recycle stream. The recycle stream is mixed with the gaseous reformable fuel within the refractory container to form a fuel stream which is supplied to the fuel cells. Also disclosed is an improved apparatus which permits the reforming of a reformable gaseous fuel within such a solid oxide fuel cell generator. The apparatus comprises a mixing chamber within the refractory container, means for diverting a portion of the partially spent fuel stream to the mixing chamber, means for diverting a portion of exhaust gas to the mixing chamber where it is mixed with the portion of the partially spent fuel stream to form a recycle stream, means for injecting the reformable gaseous fuel into the recycle stream, and means for circulating the recycle stream back to the fuel cells. 1 fig.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1988},
month = {3}
}