Patent ID: 7449260

Claim:
A fuel cell system, comprising: a fuel cell stack comprising a first plurality of fuel cells each having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween, said first plurality of fuel cells being communicated with a source of hydrogen-containing fuel and oxidant so as to generate an electric current, an oxidant exhaust stream and a hydrogen-containing exhaust stream; said stack further comprising a second plurality of fuel cells each having an anode, a counter electrode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein said first plurality and said second plurality are arranged in said stack having two ends, and further comprising two current collectors positioned at said ends, whereby current generated by said first plurality of fuel cells passes through said second plurality of fuel cells, said second plurality of fuel cells being communicated with said hydrogen-containing exhaust stream whereby said current in said second plurality of fuel cells produces a hydrogen rich stream at said counter electrode, said first plurality of fuel cells being communicated with said second plurality of fuel cells to receive said hydrogen rich stream as at least a portion of said source of hydrogen-containing fuel, wherein said first plurality of fuel cells extends uninterrupted from one of said two current collectors at one of said two ends to said second plurality of fuel cells, and wherein said second plurality of fuel cells extends uninterrupted from said first plurality of fuel cells to the other of said current collectors at the other of said two ends.