Patent ID: 6617066
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell power generation system, comprisinga fuel cell, a reformer for generating hydrogen from a base fuel, a through type hydrogen reservoir having an inlet and an outlet which are independent of each other, said reservoir housing a hydrogen occlusion material, a first supply conduit connecting said reformer to said fuel cell for supplying hydrogen generated by said reformer to said fuel cell, a second supply conduit connecting said inlet of said hydrogen reservoir to said first supply conduit at a first connection section for storing hydrogen generated by said reformer in said reservoir as assisting hydrogen for said fuel cell, a discharge duct connecting said outlet to said first supply conduit at a location downstream of said first connection section for supplying hydrogen not stored in said hydrogen reservoir to said fuel cell and for supplying said assisting hydrogen from said reservoir to said fuel cell, and a distributing valve provided at said first connection section of said first and second supply conduits for distributing hydrogen from said reformer to said fuel cell and to said hydrogen reservoir, said distributing valve being controlled to distribute to the fuel cell an amount of hydrogen required for operation of said fuel cell and, for distributing a remaining amount of hydrogen to the hydrogen reservoir.