Patent ID: 6562496
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure, wherein said main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves; directing said first supply of fuel and a first supply of air to a preheated micro-reformer; creating a heated pre-reformate in said micro-reformer; discharging said heated pre-reformate from said micro-reformer to a main reformer; preheating said main reformer with said preheated pre-reformate; introducing a second supply of fuel and a second supply of air to said main reformer; creating a heated main reformate in said main reformer; directing said heated main reformate to a waste energy recovery assembly; heating a cathode supply in said waste energy recovery system; and directing said heated cathode supply to heat said solid oxide fuel cell stack.