Patent ID: 6916564
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: H01M,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell power system comprising: a fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode; a source of hydrogen gas, the hydrogen gas being provided to the anode of the fuel cell; a compressor for creating a pressurized air stream, the pressurized air stream being provided to the cathode of the fuel cell, the pressurized air stream of the cathode and the hydrogen gas of the anode reacting at the fuel cell membrane to produce an electrical power output and waste heat; a liquid supply in fluid communication with the pressurized air stream, at least a portion of the liquid from the supply being heated by waste heat from the power system and evaporating into the pressurized air stream to produce a pressurized mixture of air and steam; a burner which combusts a fuel with the pressurized air/steam mixture to produce a steam-containing exhaust stream; an expander in fluid communication with the burner, the expander being driven by the steam-containing exhaust stream to produce a power output in excess of the power required to pressurize the air; and a power take-off of the excess power from the expander.