US 2011/0256459 A1 · THERMALLY PRIMED HYDROGEN-PRODUCING FUEL CELL SYSTEM

Abstract

Thermally primed fuel processing assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems that include the same. The thermally primed fuel processing assemblies include at least one hydrogen-producing region housed within an internal compartment of a heated containment structure. In some embodiments, the heated containment structure is an oven. In some embodiments, the compartment also contains a purification region and/or heating assembly. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to heat and maintain the internal compartment at or above a threshold temperature, which may correspond to a suitable hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to maintain this temperature during periods in which the fuel cell system is not producing power and/or not producing power to satisfy an applied load to the system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is adapted to provide backup power to a power source, which may be adapted to power the containment structure.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A thermally primed hydrogen-producing fuel processing system, comprising:

a fuel processing assembly comprising a hydrogen-producing region that contains a reforming catalyst, wherein the hydrogen-producing region is configured to receive a feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock and water and, when the hydrogen-producing region is at least within a hydrogen-producing temperature range, to produce from the feed stream a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gasses;
an insulated containment structure including an enclosure that defines an internal compartment containing at least the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly;
a first heating assembly configured to heat and maintain at least the internal compartment of the containment structure at or above a threshold temperature within the hydrogen-producing temperature range during periods in which there is no demand for the fuel processing assembly to produce the mixed gas stream and the fuel processing assembly is not producing the mixed gas stream;
and
a second heating assembly configured to provide heat to at least the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly when the fuel processing assembly is producing the mixed gas stream.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermally primed hydrogen-producing fuel cell system

Life of this patent

Thermally primed hydrogen-producing fuel cell system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25