Integrated solid oxide fuel cell mechanization and method of using for transportation industry applications

A method of transitioning a solid oxide fuel cell system to normal operating conditions, comprising:

• operating a main reformer to produce a reformate;
• directing said reformate in a first stream and second stream to a waste energy recovery assembly;
• catalytically combusting said first stream of said reformate in said waste energy recovery assembly;
• producing thermal energy in said waste energy recovery assembly to heat said second stream of said reformate and a supply of air;
• directing said second stream of said reformate and said supply of air to a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• and
• heating said solid oxide fuel cell stack to a temperature of about 600° C. or greater.

A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:

• directing a supply of reformate from a waste energy recovery assembly to a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• using said supply of reformate and a supply of air in said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• producing electrical energy in said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• harnessing said electrical energy;
• sensing a condition of said reformate;
• and
• adjusting said supply of reformate and/or said supply of air, based upon said condition, to meet a demand by a vehicle for said electrical energy.

A method of shutting down a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:

• maintaining a supply of air to a solid oxide fuel cell stack and at least one thermal enclosure;
• decreasing a supply of reformate to said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• stopping said supply of reformate after an anode oxidation period has passed;
• and
• stopping said supply of air to said solid oxide fuel cell stack.

A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:

• directing a supply of reformate and a supply of air to a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• operating said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• reducing said supply of reformate and said supply of air to said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• and
• maintaining said solid oxide fuel cell stack at a standby temperature of about 400° C. to about 600° C.

A solid oxide fuel cell mechanization for a transportation vehicle, comprising:

• a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
• a reformer system disposed in fluid communication with said solid oxide fuel cell stack, wherein said reformer system comprises a main reformer and a micro-reformer;
• a waste energy recovery assembly disposed in fluid communication with said solid oxide fuel cell stack and said reformer system;
• a system enclosure disposed around said solid oxide fuel cell stack, said waste energy recovery assembly, and said reformer system;
• a thermal management system disposed within said system enclosure, wherein said thermal management system comprises a main plenum and an insulation plenum enclosing a chamber, said chamber comprising said solid oxide fuel cell stack, said reformer system, and said waste energy recovery system;
• and
• a process air supply disposed in fluid communication with said thermal management system.