Patent ID: 7985509

Claim:
A fuel cell system, comprising: a reformer for generating hydrogen gas from fuel containing hydrogen using a chemical catalytic reaction and thermal energy, the reformer including a reactor that generates thermal energy by an oxidation reaction of the fuel and oxygen; at least one electricity generator for generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of the hydrogen gas and oxygen; a fuel supply assembly for supplying fuel to the reformer, the fuel supply assembly comprising a tank for storing the fuel, a pump connected to the tank, and a first supply line interconnecting the tank and the reactor; an oxygen supply assembly for supplying oxygen to said at least one electricity generator, the oxygen supply assembly comprising an air pump for performing intake of air; a second supply line interconnecting the air pump and the reactor of the reformer; a cooling member connected to said at least one electricity generator by means of a first transport path for cooling said at least one electricity generator; and a heat exchanger connected to the reformer and to said at least one electricity generator for supplying thermal energy of the reformer during initial operation of the system to said at least one electricity generator, whereby to pre-heat said at least one electricity generator; wherein the heat exchanger comprises a second transport path for supplying exhaust gas generated from the reformer to said at least one electricity generator, and the first transport path is different from the second transport path.