Patent ID: 7977000
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: C01B,H01M,Y02B,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for using a thermally primed hydrogen-producing fuel cell system, which includes at least a hydrogen-producing fuel processing assembly and a fuel cell stack, to supplement a primary power source adapted to satisfy an applied load from an energy-consuming device, the method comprising: heating at least a hydrogen-producing region of a fuel processing assembly to at least a threshold temperature at which the hydrogen-producing region is adapted to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component from a feed stream; maintaining the hydrogen-producing region at or above the threshold temperature during periods in which the hydrogen-producing region is not producing hydrogen gas and in which there is no demand for a power output from the fuel cell system to satisfy the applied load; delivering the feed stream to the hydrogen-producing region directly responsive to a demand for a power output from the fuel cell system to satisfy the applied load; producing hydrogen gas in the hydrogen-producing region; generating the power output with the fuel cell stack from an oxidant and the hydrogen gas produced in the hydrogen-producing region; and supplying the power output to the energy-consuming device to satisfy at least a portion of the applied load.