Patent ID: 7901820
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for fueling a solid oxide fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system including a catalytic hydrocarbon reformer and a hydrocarbon cracker, comprising the steps of: a) passing a first portion of hydrocarbon fuel through said catalytic hydrocarbon reformer to generate a first reformate wherein said hydrocarbon fuel has been reformed in the range of 0%-100%; b) passing said first reformate through said hydrocarbon cracker to generate a second reformate wherein a portion of any non-reformed hydrocarbon fuel from said first portion of hydrocarbon fuel in said first reformate is converted to methane; c) supplying said second reformate to said solid oxide fuel cell stack, and comprising the further step of adding a second portion of said hydrocarbon fuel to said first reformate ahead of said hydrocarbon cracker; and wherein said catalytic hydrocarbon reformer is an endothermic reformer.