Patent ID: 7781117
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a fuel cell, comprising: supplying a first hydrogen-containing feed having a first molar ratio to anode oxidant from a first fuel source to an anode side and a second hydrogen-containing feed having a second molar ratio to cathode oxidant from a second fuel source to a cathode side of said fuel cell, wherein at least one of the first and second molar ratios is sufficient to produce electrical energy and heat energy below a threshold temperature; supplying a first oxidant to said anode side and a second oxidant to said cathode side to exothermically react with said first and second hydrogen-containing feeds; and terminating supply of said second hydrogen-containing feed to said cathode side and said first oxidant to said anode side when said fuel cell achieves said threshold temperature, wherein the first fuel source stores a first fuel type and the second fuel source stores a second fuel type that is different from the first fuel type wherein at least one of said first and second hydrogen-containing feeds is at least one of a group consisting of methane and methanol.