Patent ID: 7763217
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: B01F,B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A system comprising: a fuel cell; a steam reformer operable to produce hydrogen for use by the fuel cell from steam and hydrocarbons; and a vaporizer for supplying the steam to the steam reformer; wherein the steam reformer comprises a panel comprising stacked sheets defining a first face comprising one or more heating channel inlets and a second face comprising one or more heating channel outlets and a corresponding one or more heating channels extending therebetween, wherein the panel further comprises a plurality of reforming channels between respective pairs of adjacent sheets, the reforming channels being configured to reform hydrocarbon and steam and comprising a catalyst therefor, and wherein each of the one or more heating channels is configured to transfer heat from a fluid passing through therethrough to a fluid passing through the reforming channels, wherein the length and width of each face is substantially greater than the distance between the faces, such that each of the one or more heating channels is substantially shorter in length than each of the reforming channels.