Patent ID: 6465118
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A system for recovering thermal energy from a fuel processing system, comprising:a fuel processing system including a fuel processor and a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel processor is adapted to receive a feedstock and produce a product hydrogen stream therefrom, wherein the fuel cell stack includes at least one fuel cell adapted to receive the product hydrogen stream and to produce an electric current therefrom; and a thermal energy recovery system adapted to recover thermal energy from the fuel processing system and including a plurality of thermal energy reservoirs that each are adapted to selectively receive and store a supply of heat exchange fluid and a delivery system adapted to selectively deliver heat exchange fluid from at least one of the plurality of thermal energy reservoirs into thermal communication with the fuel processing system to recover thermal energy therefrom, wherein the recovery system includes a manifold assembly adapted to selectively draw fluid from at least one of the plurality of thermal energy reservoirs and to deliver the fluid into thermal communication with the fuel processing system to recover thermal energy therefrom, wherein the manifold assembly includes a body and a plurality of inlets adapted to receive selectively heat exchange fluid from the plurality of reservoirs and at least one outlet adapted to deliver the heat exchange fluid into thermal communication with the fuel processing system to recover thermal energy therefrom.