Patent ID: 8097376

Claim:
A fuel cell power system including a fuel processor subsystem, a fuel cell subsystem, and a power conditioning subsystem, characterized in that: said fuel processor subsystem comprises a first main module for producing hydrogen rich streams from a hydrocarbon fuel, a first balance of plant module for first auxiliary components, and a first control and electronic module for monitoring and controlling said fuel processor subsystem, said first main module, said first balance of plant module, and said first control and electronic module being physically regrouped together, said first balance of plant module comprising a first mechanical platform having the first auxiliary components and first quick connectors secured thereto; and said fuel cell subsystem comprises a second main module for generation of electric power and thermal energy from hydrogen rich streams produced by said fuel processor module and air, a second balance of plant module for second auxiliary components, and a second control and electronic module for monitoring and controlling said fuel cell subsystem, said second main module, said second balance of plant module, and said second control and electronic module being physically regrouped together, said fuel processor subsystem and said fuel cell subsystem being physically disposed separately from one another within said fuel cell power system, said second balance of plant module comprising a second mechanical platform haing the second auxiliary components and second quick connectors secured thereto, the first and second quick conectors each for connection of streams from supply sources and to the first and second main module, respectively; each said module having individual components attached thereto, said modules being designed and manufactured separately and assembled together to form the respective subsystems, each said module removable from said fuel cell power system as a single unit independently.