Internal combustion fuel reforming
OwnerGeorge Beuan Kirby Meachaminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention uses an internal combustion engine operated at an air/fuel ratio richer than stoichiometric as a partial oxidation reformer in fuel cell power generation systems. Commonly available liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon or alcohol fuels, including “logistic” fuel in military applications, are converted to a product gas mixture containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and traces of light hydrocarbons. The product gas may be used directly or with minimum processing by high temperature fuel cells, or processed further for use in low temperature fuel cells. Advantages include high efficiency, adaptability to a variety of fuels, and quick system startup with immediate shaft power availability.
Claims21
An energy conversion system comprising
- A. an ICE operated with a working fluid of air containing system fuel in excess of the stoichiometric quantity, with the result that hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, reduced sulfur or combinations of the same are present in the ICE product gas exhaust;
- B. one or more fuel cells that produce electric power through electrochemical oxidation of product gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide hydrocarbons, reduced sulfur or combinations of the same at the anode surfaces and reduction of air at the cathode surfaces;
- C. gas transfer means to move at least a portion of the product gas from said ICE to the anode surfaces of said fuel cells;
- D. supply means to bring air to the cathode surfaces of said fuel cells;
- E. exhaust means to remove spent product gas and air from said fuel cell anode and cathode.
A method of converting system fuel into product gas more readily used by fuel cells comprising
- A. mixing the system fuel with air to form a rich mixture;
- B. optionally adding water vapor, hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the mixture;
- C. optionally heating the mixture
- D. combusting the mixture in an ICE to carry out a high temperature partial oxidation reaction producing a product gas exhaust stream containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, reduced sulfur or combinations of the same;
- E. utilizing available ICE shaft power to provide useful work;
- F. processing the product gas stream to change its temperature or composition to meet the requirements of the associated fuel cells;
- G. transporting the product gas to the fuel cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.