Patent ID: 8057947
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for thermal management of a fuel cell system comprising a single fuel cell, which method comprises: (a) processing a fuel using an autothermal reformer, a catalytic partial oxidation reactor or partial oxidation reactor to produce a fuel supply stream comprising hydrogen, steam, at least one carbon oxide and optionally methane; (b) processing the fuel supply stream produced in (a) using a methanator to produce a fuel cell supply stream comprising a controlled concentration of methane; and (c) reforming within the fuel cell methane present in the fuel cell supply stream, wherein operation of the methanator is adjusted in response to fluctuations in the temperature of the fuel cell such that the concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled in order to achieve a desired level of reforming of methane within the fuel cell, and wherein the methanator only is by-passed in order to vary the amount of fuel supply stream which is processed by the methanator so that a rapid response in methane production depending on fluctuations in fuel cell temperature on transition between differing load demands on the fuel cell is achieved; and wherein the fuel cell has a base running temperature of about 650-850° C.