Patent ID: 6365290
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A hybrid fuel cell system comprising:a high temperature fuel cell having an anode section and a cathode section; a heat engine having a compressor cycle and an expansion cycle, said compressor cycle compressing oxidant supply gas; a heat recovery unit for receiving exhaust gas from the cathode section of said fuel cell, fuel and water to produce fuel for the anode section of said fuel cell, said heat recovery unit supplying heat to said compressed oxidant supply gas; a heat exchanger for supplying additional heat to said heated compressed oxidant supply gas from an output of an oxidizer, said oxidizer output serving as an oxidant gas input to the cathode section of said fuel cell; the heated compressed oxidant gas after being further heated in said heat exchanger, being expanded in the expansion cycle of said heat engine to provide an expanded oxidant gas and produce mechanical energy for conversion to electrical energy in a generator; the oxidizer receiving said expanded oxidant gas and an exhaust gas from the anode section of said fuel cell to develop said output of said oxidizer.