Patent ID: 6608463
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
A fuel cell system for generating electric power by combination of oxygen with hydrogen-containing fuel, comprising:a) a plurality of individual fuel cells organized into at least one fuel cell stack assembly including a plurality of cathodes and anodes; b) manifold means having passageways for conveying said fuel and said oxygen in the form of air to said stack assembly and passageways for returning spent cathode air and tail gas from said stack assembly; c) an integrated reformer and tail gas combustor connected to said manifold means for reforming hydrocarbons to provide said fuel to said stack assembly and for combusting tail gas returned from said stack assembly; and d) an integrated air supply system for controllably supplying air to said stack assembly, said reformer and said combustor via said manifold means.