Fuel processor for fuel cell power system

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866185

Vanderborgh, Nicholas E ^[1]; Springer, Thomas E ^[1]; Huff, James R ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A catalytic organic fuel processing apparatus, which can be used in a fuel cell power system, contains within a housing a catalyst chamber, a variable speed fan, and a combustion chamber. Vaporized organic fuel is circulated by the fan past the combustion chamber with which it is in indirect heat exchange relationship. The heated vaporized organic fuel enters a catalyst bed where it is converted into a desired product such as hydrogen needed to power the fuel cell. During periods of high demand, air is injected upstream of the combustion chamber and organic fuel injection means to burn with some of the organic fuel on the outside of the combustion chamber, and thus be in direct heat exchange relation with the organic fuel going into the catalyst bed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4650727
• OSTI ID: 866185
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

fuel
processor
cell
power
catalytic
organic
processing
apparatus
contains
housing
catalyst
chamber
variable
speed
fan
combustion
vaporized
circulated
past
indirect
heat
exchange
relationship
heated
enters
bed
converted
desired
product
hydrogen
periods
demand
air
injected
upstream
injection
means
burn
outside
direct
relation
fuel cell
fuel processing
cell power
combustion chamber
heat exchange
fuel injection
exchange relationship
catalyst bed
exchange relation
processing apparatus
organic fuel
variable speed
desired product
injection means
catalyst chamber
fuel processor
indirect heat
direct heat
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