Patent ID: 6311650
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A vehicle having an internal-combustion engine for propulsion, a fuel cell system for supplying power to electric consuming devices of the vehicle, and a starter or buffer battery, wherein the fuel cell system comprises:an electrically heatable, autothermal reforming reactor which is coupled to receive air and water from systems on board the vehicle and hydrocarbons from the fuel tank, for partial oxidation and vapor reforming;a shift reactor connected to an output of the reforming reactor for reducing a carbon monoxide fraction of gas generated in the reforming reactor; anda fuel cell;a valve connected between an output of the shift reactor and an anode input of the fuel cell, which valve is controllable to be open after an operating temperature has been reached in the shift reactor; anda bypass connected between the output of the shift reactor and the internal-combustion engine, which bypass can be blocked when the operating temperature has been reached in the shift reactor.