Patent ID: 6187066
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B01J,C01B,F28D,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A gas generating system having components for generating hydrogen gas from a gas containing hydrocarbons with the addition of heat, which system has a device for providing heat energy comprising:a fuel flow line defining a fuel flow path for a gaseous mixture of fuel and a gas containing oxygen;a main heat generating component arranged in said fuel flow path, and having a first combustion chamber containing a catalyst material, in which fuel is catalytically oxidized with the aid of said gas containing oxygen;means for transferring heat energy from the first combustion chamber to at least one of said components of the gas-generating system;a cold-start component arranged in said fuel flow path in gas flow communication with said main heat generating component, and having a second combustion chamber containing a catalyst material for oxidation of fuel, said cold-start component being traversed at least temporarily by said mixture of fuel and a gas containing oxygen; anda residual fuel component arranged in said fuel flow path in fuel flow communication with said main heat generating component and said cold-start component, said residual fuel component being unheated, and having a third combustion chamber for conversion of residual fuel;wherein the cold-start component has an electrical heater provided in the second combustion chamber therein.