Patent ID: 6689499
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell generator apparatus comprising:at least one fuel cell assembly module containing a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell having electrolyte between an air electrode and a fuel electrode; a module housing enclosing the module; a pressure vessel having two ends surrounding the module housing, such that there is an air accumulation space between the module housing and the pressure vessel where the pressure vessel has fuel gas inlet tubing connecting to a module fuel gas inlet; an air compressor associated with a gas turbine generator system capable of supplying compressed air through an air inlet valve at a pressure between about 50.6 kPA to about 506 kPA higher than the fuel gas and providing a volume of fuel:air of from about 1:3 to 6; a compressed air inlet connecting to the air accumulation space where air occupies the air accumulation space and then flows to a fuel cell module air inlet, where air can only exit the pressure vessel by flowing forward through the module fuel cells or flowing backward through the air inlet valve; and an exhaust gas outlet connecting to a module exhaust gas outlet; where the air accumulation space provides an air accumulator with sufficient volume to control any unreacted fuel gas flow from the module by dilution with air to react with any unreacted fuel gas within the module upon shut-down of the apparatus, and to provide high pressure air flow to the fuel cells upon shut-down of the apparatus.