Liquefied Petroleum Gas For LP Gas Fuel Cell, Method of Desulfurizing the Same and Fuel System

Abstract

The invention provides a liquefied petroleum gas fuel for LP gas fuel cells for being fed to a fuel cell system through spontaneous vaporization, which fuel has a C2 hydrocarbon compound content of 3 vol. % or less, a C4 hydrocarbon compound content of 3 vol. % or less, a total sulfur content of 10 ppm by mass or less, a carbonyl sulfide content in terms of sulfur content of 2 ppm by mass or less, a methyl mercaptan content in terms of sulfur content of 3 ppm by mass or less, a content of sulfur compounds having a boiling point equal to or higher than that of dimethyl disulfide in terms of sulfur content of 2 ppm by mass or less, a methanol content of 50 ppm by mass or less, and a water content of 50 ppm by mass or less, the balance being a C3 hydrocarbon compounds. The liquefied petroleum gas fuel for LP gas fuel cells ensures effective performance of a desulfurizing agent even when used in a minimum amount, thereby enhancing desulfurization performance, prevents damaging of a reforming catalyst employed in a reformer for producing hydrogen provided on the downstream side of a desulfurizer, and realizes reliable operation of the reformer and consistent generation of electric power. The invention also provides a method for desulfurizing the liquefied petroleum gas fuel, and a fuel cell system employing a hydrogen-containing gas produced through reforming of the liquefied petroleum gas fuel which has been desulfurized through the desulfurization method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.