Patent ID: 6551732
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell power system, comprising:(a) at least one fuel cell for generating electricity, said fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said at least one fuel cell including means to process air through the cathode to yield a cathode effluent stream; (b) a fuel processor for converting an inlet fuel stream consisting essentially of hydrogen and carbon containing fuels, utilizing a stream of oxygen containing gas and water vapor, to a processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules for feeding into the fuel cell anode; (c) means to feed a substantial portion of the cathode effluent stream to the fuel processor as the oxygen containing gas and water vapor for reacting with and converting the fuel stream into the processed fuel stream comprising hydrogen molecules; (d) a combustor downstream of the fuel cell cathode to burn the cathode effluent; (e) means to direct a portion of the cathode effluent to the combustor; and (f) an expander downstream of the combustor to expand flue gas from the combustor.