High efficiency micro-power generator for portable applications

A micro-power generator for portable applications, comprising:

• a main reactor chamber;
• a micro-scale reformer comprising at least one reformer tube that extends through the main reactor chamber, the micro-scale reformer configured to receive a fuel/air mixture having a flow rate and an equivalence ratio through an intake, and expel syngas through an exhaust;
• a plurality of fuel cells within the main reactor chamber, each of the plurality of fuel cells coupled in a cantilevered fashion at a first end to a substrate such that a second end of each of the plurality of fuel cells, distal from the first end, is unattached from the main reactor chamber except through its association with the first end, the plurality of tubular fuel cells configured to generate electricity, heat, and a waste gas through an electrochemical reaction with the syngas received from the micro-scale reformer, the waste gas being expelled into the main reactor chamber through the second end of each tubular fuel cell;
• wherein the reform reaction is made self-sustaining, at least in part, by the heat introduced to the at least one reformer tube by the waste gas expelled into the main reactor chamber when the equivalence ratio is maintained above a threshold ratio, and
• wherein the micro-power generator is configured to electrochemically convert the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas to generate electricity.

A method for generating power for portable applications using a micro-power generator, the method comprising:

• introducing a fuel/air mixture having a flow rate and an equivalence ratio to an intake of a micro-scale reformer enclosed inside the micro-power generator, the micro-scale reformer comprising at least one reformer tube passing through a main reactor chamber enclosed within the micro-power generator, the at least one reformer tube having a reformer tube diameter and a wall temperature;
• producing syngas by initiating a reform reaction within the micro-scale reformer, the syngas produced by the reform reaction being expelled through an exhaust of the micro-scale reformer;
• generating electricity, heat, and a waste gas through an electrochemical reaction within a plurality of tubular fuel cells, each tubular fuel cell of the plurality of tubular fuel cells comprising a first end, a lumen in fluidic communication with the exhaust of the micro-scale reformer through the first end, and a second end distal to the first end and cantilevered into the main reactor chamber, wherein the electrochemical reaction comprises the syngas being received into the lumen of each tubular fuel cell through the first end and the waste gas being expelled into the main reactor chamber through the second end;
• inhibiting the production of soot within the micro-scale reformer by maintaining the wall temperature of the at least one reformer tube below a critical temperature;
• and
• making the reform reaction self-sustaining, at least in part, by elevating and maintaining the equivalence ratio above a threshold ratio, thereby causing the heat introduced to the at least one reformer tube via the waste gas produced by the electrochemical reaction and expelled into the main reactor chamber to be sufficient to make the reform reaction superadiabatic combustion.