Patent ID: 6458478
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: C01B,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for producing electricity in a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode comprising:heating an input hydrocarbon fuel and mixing with steam and producing a vapor fuel and steam mixture; passing the vapor fuel and steam mixture to a thermoelectric reformer where hydrocarbon fuel and steam are dissociated to form hydrogen gas; separating hydrogen gas from impurities in the reformate stream in a hydrogen separator to create a stream with moist hydrogen gas and a stream with impurities; passing the moist hydrogen gas stream to a condenser to condense out moisture in the moist hydrogen gas stream and leaving a saturated hydrogen gas stream; passing the saturated hydrogen gas stream from the condenser to the fuel cell and supplying air to the cathode of the fuel cell, utilizing most of the hydrogen gas entering the fuel cell, and producing electricity, waste heat, and water; passing the electricity produced in the fuel cell to meet load demands, to power the thermoelectric reformer, and to an electricity storage device; storing part of the hydrogen gas from the fuel cell in a hydrogen storage device and mixing part of the hydrogen gas from the fuel cell with the hydrogen gas stream entering the fuel cell; measuring electricity output of the fuel cell, measuring fuel input and measuring inlet and outlet temperatures, pressures, and flow rates at the reformer, and at the fuel cell; and comparing the load demands with the electricity produced in the fuel cell and controlling flow rates, temperatures, and pressure, and adjusting the electricity produced in the fuel cell to meet the load demand.