Patent ID: 7306868
Filing Date: 2007-12-11
Classification: F23C,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An integrated fuel cell stack and catalytic combustor apparatus, comprising: a fuel cell stack assembly having multiple fuel cell stacks between which is defined a cavity; each of said fuel cell stacks including a plurality of individual fuel cells; and a catalytic combustor disposed at least partially within said cavity and between adjacent fuel cell stacks, said catalytic combustor having a catalytic bed and a catalytic igniter, wherein said catalytic combustor is configured to receive and combust excess exhausted fuel from said fuel cell stacks; wherein a flow of reactant through said fuel cell stacks is in a direction counter to a direction in which said excess exhaust fuel flows to said catalytic combustor such that a heat generation profile in said catalytic combustor is opposite that in said fuel cell stacks such that operation of said catalytic combustor normalizes a temperature profile along a length of said fuel cell stack assembly.