| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20100136443 | Volatile Organic Compound Abatement With Fuel Cell Power Plant - Absorbent material in a regenerable volatile organic compound (VOC) apparatus ( | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100167133 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system that can be controlled while taking the influence of the volume of water kept in a water tank into consideration and is fully water self-sustainable. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The solid oxide fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell ( | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100173208 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STARTING UP THE SAME - In a method for starting up a fuel cell system, reforming is reliably performed from an early stage to more reliably prevent the oxidative degradation of the anode. A method for starting up a fuel cell system including a reformer having a reforming catalyst layer, for reforming a hydrocarbon-based fuel to produce a hydrogen-containing gas, and a high temperature fuel cell for generating electric power using the gas, wherein a) a temperature condition of the catalyst layer under which the fuel at a flow rate lower than a fuel flow rate at the completion of start-up can be reformed, and a temperature condition of the catalyst layer under which the fuel at the flow rate at the completion of start-up can be reformed are previously found, b) the temperature of the catalyst layer is increased, while the temperature of the catalyst layer is measured, c) the measured temperature of the catalyst layer is compared with at least one of the temperature conditions to determine the flow rate of the fuel that can be reformed at a point of time when the measurement is performed, d) the fuel at the determined flow rate is supplied to the catalyst layer and reformed and the reformed as is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell, when the determined flow rate exceeds the present value of the fuel flow rate, and the steps c and d are repeated until the feed rate of the fuel to the catalyst layer becomes the flow rate at the completion of start-up. Also provided is a fuel cell system appropriate for this method. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100178574 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH PARTIAL EXTERNAL REFORMING AND DIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING - A fuel cell system includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells arranged in a fuel cell stack, an integrated heat exchanger/reformer operable to partially reform an anode feed prior to entry into the fuel cell stack, an anode tailgas oxidizer, and an offgas flow path extending away from an anode side of the fuel cell stack and having a first branch to selectively combine offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack with fuel from a fuel source to comprise the anode feed to the fuel cell stack and a second branch to supply offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack to the anode tailgas oxidizer. The integrated heat exchanger/reformer transfers heat from the oxidized offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer to the anode feed before the anode feed enters the anode side of the fuel cell stack. The offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer provides the sole heat source for the anode feed traveling through the integrated heat exchanger/reformer. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100178575 | POWER GENERATING SYSTEM - A power generating system of the present invention includes: a package ( | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100183928 | HYDROGEN GENERATION SYSTEM, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR OPERATION OF HYDROGEN GENERATION SYSTEM - A hydrogen generating apparatus is provided that further suppresses deterioration in capability of a converting catalyst in raw material purge in a shutdown operation. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183929 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A WATER BASED FUEL REFORMER - A solid oxide fuel cell system includes an electrochemical fuel cell, a fuel reformer and a hydrogen separation member. The electrochemical fuel cell includes a fuel electrode electrochemically generating water from hydrogen fuel and oxygen ions. The fuel reformer configured to receive a raw fuel stream and to react raw fuel and recycled water to form hydrogen fuel and exhaust gases. The hydrogen separation member is configured to separate hydrogen fuel from the exhaust gases such that the hydrogen fuel transported through the hydrogen separation member is routed from the hydrogen separation member to the fuel electrode. The hydrogen separation member partially defines a water recycle conduit configured to route water to the raw fuel stream upstream the fuel reformer. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183930 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A WATER BASED FUEL REFORMER - A method for operating a fuel cell system includes monitoring a signal indicative of a water level within the fuel cell system. The method further includes determining an anode air flow rate based on the monitored signal indicative of water level. The method further includes controlling the anode air actuator based on the determined anode air flow rate. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100203403 | HYDROGEN PRODUCING APPARATUS, METHOD OF OPERATING HYDROGEN PRODUCING APPARATUS AND FUEL CELL POWER GENERATING SYSTEM - A hydrogen generation apparatus | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100203404 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a first heating mechanism for supplying part of an exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack after consumption in power generation reaction to a reformer, a second heating mechanism for supplying the remaining exhaust gas to a heat exchanger and supplying heat generated in the heat exchanger to the reformer, a condenser where the exhaust gas discharged from the reformer and the heater exchanger is supplied, a flow rate regulator valve provided downstream of the condenser for regulating the flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied in the reformer, and a control device for controlling the flow rate regulator valve such that operation condition values during a thermally self-sustained operation of the fuel cell system are maintained. A method of operating such a fuel cell system is also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100203405 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes the steps of detecting whether supply of a raw fuel to a fuel cell module is stopped or not, starting supply of water vapor to an electrode surface of an anode based on the temperature of a fuel cell stack when stop of the supply of the raw fuel is detected, starting supply of reverse electrical current to an electrolyte electrode assembly in a direction opposite to electrical current flowing at the time of power generation based on the temperature of the fuel cell stack, stopping the supply of the reverse electrical current at least based on any of the temperature of the fuel cell stack and the temperature of an evaporator, and stopping the supply of the water vapor at least based on any of the temperature of the fuel cell stack and the temperature of the evaporator. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100203406 | FUEL CELL POWER GENERATING SYSTEM AND FUEL CELL POWER GENERATING SYSTEM OPERATING METHOD - A fuel cell power generation system | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100209789 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR OPERATING SAME - A process for operating a fuel cell system ( | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100209790 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CORRESPONDING OPERATING PROCESS - A process is provided for operating a fuel cell system ( | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100216041 | Extraction of Energy From Used Cooking Oil - The extraction of energy from used cooking oil is disclosed. In one embodiment, used cooking oil is admitted from a cooking appliance to an interface, and then to a reactor or a series of reactors where it is reformed into a hydrogen-containing, reformed fuel. The hydrogen-containing, reformed fuel is then admitted to a fuel cell which produces electricity. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100216042 | AUXILIARY POWER UNIT - An auxiliary power unit (APU), a method of operating an APU and a vehicle comprising the APU are provided. The APU includes a fuel processor and a fuel cell, the fuel processor being provided with steam, air and dimethyl ether (DME). In order to avoid decreased functionality of the fuel cell caused by lubricants in the DME, a heat exchanger is provided for separating lubricant from the DME | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100221619 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The present invention is a fuel cell system comprising: a hydrogen generator including a reformer which has a reforming catalyst and carries out a reforming reaction using the reforming catalyst to generate a hydrogen-containing gas from a raw material, a shift converter which has a shift catalyst and carries out a shift reaction using the shift catalyst to decrease carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas, and a first temperature detector which detects a temperature of the shift converter; a fuel cell which uses the hydrogen-containing gas delivered from the hydrogen generator, to generate electric power; and a control unit, wherein: the control unit does not start delivering the hydrogen-containing gas from the hydrogen generator to the fuel cell when at least the temperature of the shift converter detected by the first temperature detector is not a stable determination temperature or higher; and the stable determination temperature is lower than a control temperature of the shift converter at the time of a normal operation. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100221620 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - A fuel cell system ( | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100221621 | OPERATION METHOD AT THE TIME OF LOAD REDUCTION OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM - An operation method at the time of load reduction of fuel cell system includes in this order a first step of determining a target power generation amount of the fuel cell module, a second step of increasing the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to a fuel cell module, a third step of reducing the power generation amount of the fuel cell module, a fourth step of reducing the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module, a fifth step of reducing the flow rate of the water supplied to the fuel cell module, a sixth step of reducing the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell module, and a seventh step of detecting whether the power generation amount of the fuel cell module reaches the target power generation amount or less. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100221622 | OPERATION METHOD AT THE TIME OF LOAD INCREASE OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM - An operation method at the time of load increase of fuel cell system includes in this order a first step of determining a target power generation amount of the fuel cell module, a second step of increasing the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell module, a third step of increasing the flow rate of the water supplied to the fuel cell module a fourth step of increasing the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module, a fifth step of increasing the power generation amount of the fuel cell module, and a sixth step of detecting whether the power generation amount of the fuel cell module reaches the target power generation amount or more. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100227233 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a reformer, and a combustor for at least heating any of the fuel cell stack, the heat exchanger, the evaporator, and the reformer. The fuel cell module is surrounded by an inner heat insulating layer and an outer heat insulating layer. The inner heat insulating layer is used in a high temperature area, and the outer heat insulating layer is used in a low temperature area. The inner heat insulating layer contains a large amount of metal component in comparison with the outer heat insulating layer. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100227234 | INTERNALLY REFORMING FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY WITH STAGED FUEL FLOW AND SELECTIVE CATALYST LOADING FOR IMPROVED TEMPERATURE UNIFORMITY AND EFFICIENCY - A fuel cell assembly including a fuel reforming unit for reforming a fuel supply for a series of fuel cells constituting a fuel cell stack. The reformed fuel supply is routed first to the anode of the fuel cell most adjacent the reforming unit, and thereafter to a manifold external to the stack. The manifold intakes that portion of the reformed fuel supply not fully exhausted after passing through the first anode and feeds such reformed fuel to successive fuel cells in series, thus providing staged fuel supply throughout the stack and optimal fuel utilization in producing electricity. The reforming unit includes a series of baffles for directing the reformed fuel supply to the first anode and to the manifold to maximize utilization of fuel consumed by cells in the stack. Also, cooling occurring as a result of the endothermic reaction occurring in the reforming unit is captured and spread optimally throughout the stack to achieve optimal temperature gradients throughout the stack, thus enabling optimal operation of and increased life of the stack. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100233553 | RECHARGER FOR HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS - A recharger includes a manifold having an input to couple to a hydrogen generating module and an output port to couple to at least one rechargeable fuel cell. A vacuum pump is coupled to the manifold to evacuate the manifold. A valve is coupled to the manifold between the vacuum pump and the input of the manifold. A controller is coupled to control the vacuum pump and the valve, | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100239924 | Fuel cell system with partial recycling of anode exhaust - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel inlet stream into a fuel cell stack, operating the fuel cell stack to generate electricity and a hydrogen containing fuel exhaust stream having a temperature above 200 C, lowering a temperature of the fuel exhaust stream to 200 C or less, separating the fuel exhaust stream into a first separated fuel exhaust stream and a second separated fuel exhaust stream, and recycling the first separated fuel exhaust stream into the fuel inlet stream. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239925 | REFORMING DEVICE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - In a reforming device and a fuel cell system, the ignition and combustion at a burner section is stabilized regardless of the temperature of a reforming section by supplying the burner section with the combustible gas depending on the temperature of the reforming section at the time of a starting operation and after the generation of steam begins at an evaporator section. At the time of a starting operation and after steam generation detecting means detects the generation of steam, a control device of a reforming device executes control to switch the combustions of at least first combustible gas and second combustible gas at the burner section based on the state of the burner section and the temperature of the reforming section at the time of detecting the generation of steam as well as on the temperature of the reforming section after the time subsequent thereto. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100248047 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell heating medium circulation circuit for circulating a fuel cell heating medium that exchanges heat with a fuel cell; a condensing coolant circulation circuit for circulating a condensing coolant that exchanges heat with at least one of a fuel off-gas discharged from a fuel electrode, an oxidant off-gas discharged from an oxidant electrode, and a combustion exhaust gas discharged from a reformer; a hot water storage tank for storing stored hot water; and a stored hot water circulation circuit for circulating the stored hot water, which exchanges heat with the condensing coolant circulating through the condensing coolant circulation circuit and the fuel cell heating medium circulating through the fuel cell heating medium circulation circuit. A fuel gas heat exchanger in which the fuel cell heating medium and the fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode exchange heat is disposed on the fuel cell heating medium circulation circuit. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248048 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The fuel cell system shifts, at least during start, in switching a pulse pump from a stop state to a pumping state to start pumping of the water, to normal control after performing start-operation-control for setting a water supply ability of the pulse pump higher for a predetermined time than the water supply ability during normal control. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100279184 | SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A solid electrolyte fuel cell system includes a reformer to produce a hydrogen-rich reformed gas from fuel, oxygen and water, and a stack structure including a stack of fuel cell units each receiving supply of the reformed gas and air, and producing electricity. The fuel cell system further includes a reformed gas cooler to cool the reformed gas supplied from the reformer to the stack structure, and a temperature control section to control operation of the reformed gas cooler in accordance with an operating condition such as a request output of the stack structure. The reformed gas cooler includes a device such as a heat exchanger for cooling the reformed gas with a coolant such as air. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100285377 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME - A hydrogen generator includes: a reformer ( | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100297512 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel-cell system is advantageous in preventing exhaust gases to be discharged from an exhaust port from flowing back into an exhaust gas passage without being discharged from the exhaust port. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, and an exhaust gas passage having an exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases generated during operation of the fuel cell to the outside. The exhaust gas passage has a backflow suppressing unit at an end portion of the exhaust gas passage on the side of the exhaust port. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100297513 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell ( | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100304236 | CATALYSTS AND METHODS INCLUDING STEAM REFORMING - The present invention generally relates to catalyst compositions comprising aluminates, such as nickel aluminates, and related methods. In some embodiments, the catalyst composition may be advantageously modified, for example, by the addition of one or more metal additives to further enhance catalyst performance. Such modifications can provide a more effective catalyst and can reduce the level of coking during catalytic processes. Some embodiments of the invention may provide effective catalyst compositions for steam reforming. In some cases, the catalyst composition may be utilized under relatively mild reaction conditions. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304237 | REFORMING SYSTEM, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND ITS OPERATION METHOD - When terminating power generation by a fuel cell | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304238 | Solid Hydrogen Fuel and Methods of Manufacturing and Using the Same - A solid hydrogen fuel, in a form of a solid block, includes at lease a hydride powder well-mixed with at lease a solid catalyst. Method of manufacturing the solid hydrogen fuel includes steps of well-mixing the hydride powder and the solid catalyst; and compressing the mixed powders to form a solid block. When use of the solid hydrogen fuel is required, water is mixed into the hydride powder for generating hydrogen gas, wherein the hydride powder is catalyzed by the solid catalyst and reacts with water to generate hydrogen gas. By using the solid hydrogen fuel, large amount of hydrogen gas can be generated completely in an effective time. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304239 | RAPID START-UP AND OPERATING SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL POWER PLANT UTILIZING A REFORMATE - A fuel cell power plant ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304240 | MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A membrane electrode assembly includes an ion conducting membrane; an anode catalyst layer arranged on one side of the ion conducting membrane; a cathode catalyst layer arranged on the other side of the ion conducting membrane; an anode diffusion layer arranged on an outer side of the anode catalyst layer; and a cathode diffusion layer arranged on an outer side of the cathode catalyst layer. Only in the anode catalyst layer, the density of a first catalyst layer portion located close to the anode diffusion layer is smaller than the density of a second catalyst layer portion located close to the ion conducting membrane. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304241 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The present invention comprises a fuel cell assembly, a reformer, a fuel flow rate regulator unit for supplying fuel gas to the reformer, a reforming air supply device, a power generating air supply device, and a control unit for igniting fuel gas using an ignition device and conducting a combustion operation causing the fuel gas to combust using power generating air, then sequentially implementing a POX operation, ATR operation, and SR operation; whereby the control section starts the supply of fuel gas, reforming air, and power generating air, then controls the fuel gas supply device, the reforming air supply device, and the power generating air supply device to hold constant the respective supply flow rates of fuel gas, reforming air, and power generating air, without variation, in the combustion operating region in which fuel gas is ignited by the ignition device and combusted. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304242 | FUEL CELL DEVICE - The fuel cell device has a control device for conducting, at the time of startup, a partial oxidation reforming reaction (POX) inside the reformer, then an auto-thermal reforming reaction (ATR) inside the reformer, then a steam reforming reaction (SR) inside the reformer; a water supply device is provided with a pump for intermittently supplying extremely small amounts of water to the reformer using pulsed control; the control device controls the fuel supply device, the reforming air supply device, and the water supply device to respectively supply target supply flow rates of fuel, reforming air, and water based on the outputs of various sensors; and, in the ATR region, the control device suppresses changes in the flow rate of fuel supplied by the fuel supply device during at least a predetermined interval following the supply of water by the pump. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304243 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) device comprises a fuel cell assembly, a reformer, a fuel gas supply device, a reforming air supply device, a power generating air supply device, an ignition device, a temperature detection devices for detecting the temperature caused by combustion of fuel gas, and a control section for sequentially conducting a combustion operation in which fuel gas is ignited by the ignition device and combusted using the power generating air, a POX operation, an ATR operation, and an SR combination, wherein the control section determines that a flameout has occurred when the amount by which the temperature caused by combustion of fuel gas and detected by the temperature detection device drops within a predetermined time is equal to or greater than a preset, predetermined temperature drop threshold, and the predetermined temperature drop threshold is set as a plurality of predetermined temperature drop thresholds in accordance with temperature bands caused by the combustion of fuel gas, the lower the temperature induced by the combustion of fuel gas, the higher is the temperature drop threshold. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304244 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell device capable of smooth transition from a startup state to an electrical generating state. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304245 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell device capable of stably increasing the temperature of a fuel cell units and smoothly starting electrical generation. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304246 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell device capable of smooth transition from a startup state to an electrical generating state. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304247 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR, FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING HYDROGEN GENERATOR, AND OPERATION METHOD OF HYDROGEN GENERATOR, AND OPERATION METHOD OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A hydrogen generator comprises a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction in an internal space thereof using a material gas and steam; a material gas supply passage through which the material gas is supplied to the reformer; a material gas supplier which is provided at the material gas supply passage to supply the material gas to the reformer; a first valve configured to open and close the material gas supply passage; an evaporator configured to generate a steam supplied to the reformer; a water supplier configured to supply water to the evaporator; a communicating passage for allowing the reformer to communicate with atmosphere; a second valve configured to open and close the communicating passage; and a controller configured to stop the material gas supplier and the water supplier and close the first valve and the second valve at shutdown of the hydrogen generator; and open the second valve prior to opening the first valve when the material gas supplier resumes supply of the material gas to the reformer after the shutdown. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100310950 | Catalyst for fuel cell, ful cell systems including the same, and associated methods - A catalyst for a fuel cell, a fuel cell system including the same, and associated methods, the catalyst including a platinum-metal alloy having a face-centered tetragonal structure, and a carrier, wherein the platinum-metal alloy shows a broad peak or a peak having two split tips at a 2θ of about 65 to about 75 degrees in an XRD pattern using a Cu—K α line, and the platinum-metal alloy is supported in the carrier and has an average particle size of about 1.5 to about 5 nm. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310951 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STARTING UP THE SAME - Provided is a method for starting up a fuel cell system, in which reforming can be reliably performed from an early stage to more reliably prevent the oxidative degradation of the anode. A method for starting up a fuel cell system including a reformer having a reforming catalyst layer, for reforming a hydrocarbon-based fuel to produce a hydrogen-containing gas, and a high temperature fuel cell for generating electric power using the hydrogen-containing gas, including: a) increasing the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer, while measuring the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer; b) calculating the flow rate of the hydrocarbon-based fuel that can be reformed in the reforming catalyst layer, based on the measured temperature of the reforming catalyst layer; and c) supplying the hydrocarbon-based fuel at the calculated flow rate to the reforming catalyst layer to reform the hydrocarbon-based fuel, and supplying the obtained reformed gas to the anode of the high temperature fuel cell, wherein the feed rate of the hydrocarbon-based fuel to the reforming catalyst layer is increased, while the steps b and c are repeated, until the feed rate of the hydrocarbon-based fuel to the reforming catalyst layer becomes a flow rate at completion of start-up. Also provided is a fuel cell system appropriate for this method. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310952 | OIL-BEARING SANDS AND SHALES AND THEIR MIXTURES AS STARTING SUBSTANCES FOR PRODUCING SILICON NITRIDE AND/OR SILICON CARBIDE - Oil sand or other naturally occurring oil-containing mixtures are used to produce SiC and/or Si | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100316919 | FUEL CELL STACK WITH HEAT RECUPERATOR - A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubes and a heat recuperator. The heat recuperator is formed from sheet metal. The plurality of walls define an exhaust gas channel having an exhaust gas flowing therethrough and an oxidant channel having an oxidant flowing therethrough. The exhaust gas channel is in thermal communication with the oxidant channel such that heat is transferred between the exhaust gas and the oxidant. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100323256 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND OPERATING PROCESS - A fuel cell system ( | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100323257 | FUEL PROCESSING APPARATUS, FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING FUEL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL PROCESSING APPARATUS - A fuel processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a reformer ( | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100330444 | HYDROGEN GENERATING APPARATUS AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A hydrogen generating apparatus ( | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110008694 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR, AMMONIA-BURNING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, AND FUEL CELL - A hydrogen generator that can be operated in a broad temperature range is disclosed, which comprises a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen; a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range; an ammonia supply part which supplies ammonia; and an ammonia supply passage which supplies ammonia from said ammonia supply part to the first and second ammonia conversion parts. The first temperature range includes temperatures lower than the second temperature range, and hydrogen is generated from ammonia by selectively using the first and second ammonia conversion parts. An ammonia-burning internal combustion engine and a fuel cell having the hydrogen generator are also disclosed. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110020717 | COMPACT FUEL CELL PACKAGE - The invention relates to a compact and portable fuel cell package. The package includes a fuel cell that generates electrical energy. Some packages also include a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. Fuel cell packages described herein provide power densities (power per unit volume or mass) at levels not yet seen. One package employs an interconnect disposed at least partially between a fuel cell and a fuel processor. The interconnect forms a structural and plumbing intermediary between the two. Given the portable size of fuel cell packages described herein, the invention is well suited to power portable electronics devices. One portable fuel cell package includes a tether, which allows electrical and detachable coupling to an electronics device. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110020718 | FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT - A fuel cell arrangement having fuel cells situated in the form of a fuel cell stack, which each contain an anode and a cathode and an electrolyte matrix situated between them, having an anode intake, which is provided on one side of the fuel cell stack, for the supply of fresh combustion gas to the anodes and an anode outlet for the discharge of consumed combustion gas from the anodes, the combustion gas being guided inside the fuel cells in a predetermined main flow direction past the anodes, having reformer units for converting a fuel supplied to the reformer units at a fuel inlet into reformer fuel, which is discharged from the reformer units at a reformer fuel outlet, the reformer units being situated between adjacent fuel cells in thermal contact therewith, and the reformer fuel outlet of the reformer units opening on the side of the fuel cell stack, on which the anode intake of the fuel cells is located, and having a fuel discharge system for distributing the fuel to be reformed to the individual reformer units. The reformer units have fuel inlets provided on the side of the fuel cell stack opposite to the anode intake and are permeated by the fuel to be reformed in counter-flow to the main flow direction of the combustion gas, and the fuel discharge system is provided on the side of the fuel cell stack opposite to the anode intake. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110027673 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH INTEGRAL GAS TURBINE AND THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC THERMAL ENERGY CONVERTERS - A maximal efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), gas turbine (GT) and thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system is described. The anode exhaust of the SOFC is used to drive the GT component, and the waste radiative heat of the SOFC is used to power the TPV component, with all three components producing electrical energy. The turbine exhaust can further be utilized for process heat applications or additional Carnot heat engine applications. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110027674 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION APPARATUS AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM USING THE SAME - There are provided a hydrogen production apparatus and a hydrogen producing method that can easily bring the temperature of a gas to be supplied to a preferential oxidation catalyst bed to a proper range without the necessity of flow rate control of a cooling medium, and a fuel cell s stem which is relatively inexpensive and can easily realize stable operation. The hydrogen producing method includes a reforming step of obtaining a hydrogen-containing gas from a raw material for hydrogen production by utilizing a reforming reaction, a shift reaction step of reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the gas obtained from the reforming step by a shift reaction, a cooling step of cooling the gas obtained from the shift reaction step, a heating step of heating the gas cooled in the cooling step and a preferential oxidation reaction step of reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the gas heated in the heating step, wherein in the heating step, the gas cooled in the cooling step is heated by heat exchange with the use of heat generated by the preferential oxidation reaction. A hydrogen production apparatus suitable for implementing this method. A fuel cell system provided with the hydrogen production apparatus. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110039172 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR, FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING HYDROGEN GENERATOR, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING HYDROGEN GENERATOR - A hydrogen generator of the present invention includes: a raw material supplying device ( | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110039173 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell for supplying generated electric power to external power loads connected to a system power source, a reforming apparatus for supplying fuel gas generated by reforming unreformed fuel to the fuel cell, and a controller for controlling the operations of the fuel cell and the reforming apparatus. When having been unable to normally stop the fuel cell system due to the system power source falling in a power failure, the controller automatically executes a recovery operation so that the fuel cell system is brought into a restartable state, and upon completion of the recovery operation, brings the fuel cell system into a standby state. Thus, a normal restart subsequent to a power failure becomes possible without the need for human labor. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110053017 | Fuel Cell Apparatus - A fuel cell apparatus comprises a cell stack, a reforming portion (reforming catalyst), a vaporizing portion, a reforming target gas supply, an oxygen-containing gas supply, a water supply, and a controller. The cell stack comprises a plurality of fuel cells electrically connected in series in a housing case. The reforming portion is disposed over the cell stack and is to be exposed to a gas produced by burning a fuel gas from the fuel cells. The reforming catalyst can perform partial oxidation reforming, autothermal reforming and steam reforming as a reforming reaction. The vaporizing portion generates steam to be supplied to the reforming portion. The reforming target gas supply supplies a reforming target gas to the reforming portion. The oxygen gas supply supplies an oxygen gas to the reforming portion. The water supply supplies water to the vaporizing portion. The controller controls the reforming reaction in the reforming portion. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053018 | HIGH POWER DENSITY FUEL CELL - A fuel cell according to one embodiment includes a porous electrolyte support structure defining an array of microchannels, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and oxidant electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a fuel cell according to one embodiment includes forming an array of walls defining microchannels therebetween using at least one of molding, stamping, extrusion, injection and electrodeposition; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby creating a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the microchannels; and forming cathode electrodes along other of the microchannels. Additional embodiments are also disclosed. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053019 | Fuel Cell Module and Fuel Cell Apparatus - A fuel cell module and a fuel cell apparatus capable of efficient start-up are provided. A fuel cell module includes a housing; a cell stack placed inside the housing, which includes a plurality of pillar-shaped solid oxide fuel cells formed with an internally-mounted gas flow passage that are arranged in an upright state and are electrically connected with each other; a manifold placed inside the housing, configured to secure lower ends of the solid oxide fuel cells and supply a fuel gas to the solid oxide fuel cells; a reformer placed inside the housing, which is disposed above the solid oxide fuel cells, configured to produce a fuel gas which is supplied to the solid oxide fuel cells; a vaporizer disposed on an exterior of the housing, configured to vaporize a raw fuel and supply it to the reformer; and a heat source configured to raise a temperature of the vaporizer. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110076576 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device with a load following function for changing a fuel supply rate in response to a load defined as a required power determined by demand power. The solid oxide fuel cell device of the present invention comprises a fuel module having a fuel cell stack composed of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells and a reformer for reforming fuel and supplying the fuel to the fuel cells; an inverter for receiving electrical power generated by the fuel cell module and converting the power to alternating power; a command power value setting device for setting a command power value to be generated by the fuel cell module based on the amount of load; a fuel control device for determining a fuel supply rate supplied to the fuel cells and supplying the fuel so as to generate the above command power value; an inverter permitted power value instruction device for instructing to the inverter an inverter permitted power value corresponding to the above command power value, which is the permitted amount of power to be extracted from the fuel cell module, after the fuel has been supplied to the fuel cells by the fuel control device; and an inverter permitted power value change device for changing the amount of change per unit time in the next inverter permitted power value and outputting the amount of change unit time to the inverter permitted power value instruction device; wherein the inverter permitted power value change device presets a plurality of proportionality characteristics indicating the differing multiple amounts of change per unit time, selecting one proportionality characteristic from among multiple proportionality characteristics based on the status of load, changing the amount of change per unit time in the next inverter permitted power value by using the selected proportionality characteristic. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110076577 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device with a load following function for changing a fuel supply rate in response to a load defined as a required power determined by demand power. The solid oxide fuel cell device comprises a fuel cell module having a fuel cell stack composed of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells and a reformer for reforming fuel and supplying the fuel to the fuel cells; an inverter for receiving electrical power generated by the fuel cell module and converting the power to alternating power; a command power value setting device for setting a command power value to be generated by the fuel cell module based on the amount of load; a fuel control device for determining an fuel supply rate and supplying the fuel by the fuel supply rate to the fuel cells so as to generate the command power value; an inverter permitted power value instruction device for instructing to the inverter an inverter permitted power value corresponding to the command power value, which is the permitted amount of power to be extracted from the fuel cell module, after the fuel has been supplied by the fuel supply rate to the fuel cells by the fuel control device; and an inverter permitted power value change device for changing an amount of change per unit time in a next inverter permitted power value based on a temperature inside the fuel cell module and outputting the amount of change per unit time to the inverter permitted power value instruction device; wherein the inverter permitted power value change device changes the amount of change per unit time in the inverter permitted power value to be larger, the higher the temperature is, in a temperature region equal to or lower than a first predetermined temperature, and to be smaller, the higher the temperature is, in a temperature region equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110076578 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device ( | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110086281 | DEVICE FOR HUMIDIFYING AND HEATING A COMBUSTIBLE GAS TO BE REFORMED FOR A FUEL CELL UNIT - Device for humidifying and heating of the combustible gas being reformed for a fuel cell system, with a housing, traversed on a stipulated flow path by the combustible gas being humidified and heated, which has an inlet situated in an upper area and a more deeply positioned outlet for the combustible gas, and with a heat exchanger, which is arranged within housing and can be traversed from the bottom up in countercurrent to the combustible gas being humidified and heated by a heat transfer agent supplying the required heat, and with a device to supply water prescribed for humidified of the combustible gas. It is proposed according to the invention that the device for supplying the water prescribed for humidified include a space arranged in the lower area of housing, accommodating the water prescribed for humidified, in which the water is in thermal contact with the lower area of the heat exchanger for heating, and a steam flow path leading upward from the space for transport of water evaporated in the space to the upper area of housing, and that the stipulated flow path for the combustible gas being humidified and heated in the upper area of housing is connected to steam flow path and leads downward to outlet for the humidified and heated combustible gas separately from flow path in thermal contact with heat exchanger. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110117460 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - A fuel cell system capable of improving performance and stability of the system by using stack off-gas includes: a power generation unit that generates power through an electrochemical reaction of a first fuel and a first oxidant; a reforming unit that supplies the first fuel to the power generation unit; a heating unit that receives second fuel and a second oxidant, combusts the second fuel, and is thermal-conductively coupled with the reforming unit; and a connection unit that connects the heating unit with the power generation unit to be in fluid communication and supplies off-gas of the power generation unit to the heating unit. The off-gas is supplied to the heating unit in a pulse type. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110123880 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A hydrogen generator includes: a first tube ( | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123881 | Reformer, Cell Stack Device, Fuel Cell Module, and Fuel Cell Device - Provided are a reformer capable of efficiency performing a reforming reaction, a cell stack device equipped with a reformer, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device. The reformer (1) includes a vaporization part (3) with a supply port (7) through which a raw fuel is supplied, reforming parts (5) each including reforming catalysts (4) for reforming the raw fuel flowing from the vaporization part (3) into a fuel gas, and is provided with a fuel gas feed port (9) through which the fuel gas is fed. The vaporization part (3) is provided at the center of a cylindrical container (2), and the reforming catalysts are provided on both sides of the container (2). | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110129744 | Thermal management system for high-temperature fuel cell - A thermal management system for high-temperature fuel cell mainly comprises a first mixer to introduce external fuel to a reformer, a reformer to adjust the gaseous fuel to a proper composition ratio and output the fuel to the anode input of the fuel cell, a second mixer to introduce external ambient air to the cathode input of the fuel cell, a cathode thermal cycle pipeline to deliver the high-temperature air from the cathode output of the fuel cell to pass through the second mixer and the reformer and also heat the second mixer and the reformer to recover the heat, an anode thermal cycle pipeline to introduce the water steam from the anode output of fuel cell, remaining fuel and thermal energy to the first mixer to mix with incoming fuel, and provide sufficient water-to-carbon ratio and the inlet temperature required for the reformer. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110129745 | FUEL CELL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING POWER AND COOLING TO AN ENERGY-CONSUMING DEVICE - Fuel cell systems and methods for providing power to an energy-consuming device and cooling of the energy-consuming device utilizing the endothermic process of desorbing hydrogen gas from a hydride bed. Fuel cell systems include a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen storage device having a volume of a hydrogen storage material, and a heat exchange system operatively connected to the hydrogen storage device and configured to heat the hydrogen storage material to desorb hydrogen gas therefrom for delivery to the fuel cell stack. The heat exchange system is further configured to deliver a cooled fluid stream to the energy-consuming device for cooling thereof. The cooled fluid stream may be produced, or cooled, by the endothermic desorption of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage device. In some fuel cell systems, the heat exchange system utilizes heat from the energy-consuming device to heat the hydrogen storage material for desorption of hydrogen gas therefrom. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110136026 | HYBRID POWER PLANT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES - A vehicle power plant includes a high temperature PEM fuel cell system operatively connected to a battery pack. A power conditioner is operatively connected between the PEM fuel cell system and the battery pack. The system can include a fuel processor, such as a steam reformer or an autothermal reformer. The reformer can be designed such that it can reform a wide range of fuels. The system can provide for a vehicle with a much higher driving range at a potentially lower cost than an equivalent range battery-only electric vehicle. The integration of these components into a single system also allows the vehicle to be fuel flexible; that is, capable of being fueled with a wide range of fuels without hardware changes in the system. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110136027 | FUEL PROCESSING SYSTEMS WITH THERMALLY INTEGRATED COMPONENTRY - Hydrogen-producing assemblies, fuel cell systems including the same, methods of producing hydrogen gas, and methods of powering an energy-consuming device. Hydrogen-producing assemblies may include a monolithic body that defines at least a reforming conduit, and in some embodiments a plurality of reforming conduits, in which a feed stream is catalyzed into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen gas, and a burner conduit, in which a fuel-air stream is combusted. The monolithic body is constructed to conduct heat generated by the exothermic reaction of the combustion from the burner conduit to the reformer conduit. In some hydrogen-producing assemblies, the monolithic body further defines a vaporizing conduit, in which liquid portions of the feed stream are vaporized prior to being delivered to the reformer conduit, and the monolithic body may be constructed to conduct heat from the burner conduit to the vaporizing conduit. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110143237 | Radiative Heat Transfer via Fins in a Steam Reformer - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing radiative heat transfer in a steam reformer from an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner to an interior reactor via angled fins coupled to the exterior shell. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner and angled fins, the angled fins extending away from an inner surface of the exterior shell and downward toward the diffusion burner. The steam reformer further comprises an interior reactor positioned at least partly within the exterior shell. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110143238 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a fluid supply section, a module section, and an electrical equipment section. A detector, a fuel gas supply apparatus, an oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, and a water supply apparatus are provided in the fluid supply section. A fuel cell module and a combustor are provided in the module section. A power converter and a control device are provided in the electrical equipment section. The module section is interposed between the fluid supply section and the electrical equipment section. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110143239 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a first fluid supply section, a second fluid supply section, a module section, and an electrical equipment section. A water supply apparatus, a fuel gas supply apparatus, and a detector are provided in the first fluid supply section. An oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus is provided in the second fluid supply section. A fuel cell module and a combustor are provided in the module section. A power converter and a control device are provided in the electrical equipment section. The module section is interposed between the first fluid supply section and the electrical equipment section. The second fluid supply section is disposed on the lower surface of the module section. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110159386 | OPERATING PROCESS FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM OPERATING PROCESS FOR A FUEL CELL - A process for starting up a fuel cell system ( | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110177408 | Environmentally Friendly, Energy-Economic System for Testing Fuel Cell Stacks - Disclosed is a system with which fuel cell stacks can be tested automatically or manually so that production of pollutants and consumption of electricity are little. The system runs various analyses and tests on the fuel cell stacks and provides operative conditions such as temperatures and fluid flows needed in the tests. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110177409 | Fuel Cell System - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell unit, a reformer with a catalyst and heat pipes around the catalyst, and a combustor connected to the heat pipes. A first fuel pipe sends fuel into the reformer. The fuel is reformed in the reformer. A first air port sends air into the reformer. An anode pipe sends the reformed fuel into the fuel cell unit. The chemical reaction of the reformed fuel occurs in the fuel cell unit. A cathode pipe sends the air into the fuel cell unit. A residual reformed fuel pipe sends residual reformed fuel into the combustor. A hot air pipe sends hot air into the combustor. The residual reformed fuel pipe is mixed with the hot air and burned in the combustor. A second fuel pipe sends more fuel into the combustor if necessary. A second air port sends air into the combustor if necessary. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110189562 | HYDROGEN GAS GENERATION APPARATUS AND FUEL CELL HAVING THE SAME - The hydrogen gas generation apparatus is adapted for a fuel cell. The hydrogen gas generation apparatus includes a main body, a bimetallic switch, a reserve tank, and a sliding member. The bimetallic switch has one end connected to the main body. The reserve tank is fixed to the main body and adapted to reserve liquid water. The sliding member is slidably disposed on the main body. A solid fuel is fixed to the sliding member. When the bimetallic switch is heated to bend, another end of the bimetallic switch pushes the sliding member toward the reserve tank and the solid fuel reacts with the liquid water in the reserve tank to form hydrogen gas. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110189563 | HYDROGEN GENERATION DEVICE AND FUEL CELL USING THE SAME - A hydrogen generation device and a fuel cell using the same are provided. The hydrogen generation device includes a first containing groove, a cover, a second containing groove, and a rotating device. The first containing groove contains liquid water. The cover is fixed on the first containing groove and covers the liquid water. The cover has an opening for exposing the liquid water. The second containing groove is stacked on the cover and divided into a plurality of containing compartments, wherein each containing compartment contains a solid fuel. The opening is aligned with one containing compartment so that the corresponding solid fuel reacts with the liquid water generate hydrogen. The rotating device is connected with the first or the second containing groove. The opening is moved and aligned with another containing compartment when the rotating device drives the first containing groove and the second containing groove to relatively rotate. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110189564 | FUEL CELL USING CARBON NANOTUBES - A fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and a proton exchange membrane. The anode and cathode can include a catalyst layer which includes a plurality of generally aligned carbon nanotubes. Methods of making a fuel cell are also disclosed. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110217607 | ANODE UTILIZATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL POWER PLANT - The control system ( | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110236777 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM TO PREHEAT FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell system including: a reformer to convert a fuel into hydrogen; a reformer chamber to contain air heated by the reformer; a fuel cell stack to convert the hydrogen into electricity; a first pump to supply an oxidant to the stack; and a second pump to supply the heated air to the stack, to preheat the stack. The system may also include a controller to control the operation of the system, such that the heated air is not supplied until it reaches a predetermined temperature, and the oxidant is not supplied and the stack is not operated, until the stack reaches a predetermined temperature. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110262819 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL MODULE WITH CURRENT COLLECTOR - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, an active portion, and an inner current carrier. Oxidizing fluid and reducing fluid react with the active portion to generate an electromotive force. The active portion includes an inner electrode; an outer electrode; and an electrolyte disposed between the inner electrode and the outer electrode. The inner current carrier is disposed between the tube inlet and the active portion. The inner current carrier has a temperature gradient when the active portion is at an active portion steady-state operating temperature. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a fuel feed tube routing fuel through the fuel cell tube inlet to the fuel cell tube inner chamber. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes an anode current collector electrically connected to the inner current carrier between the active portion and the fuel cell tube inlet. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262820 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM HAVING A REFORMER - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an oxidizer supply unit, a reformer, a fuel tank, and a water tank. The reformer generates a hydrogen-containing reformed gas reformed from hydrocarbon-based fuel and supplies it to the fuel cell stack. The fuel tank supplies the hydrocarbon-based fuel to the reformer. The water tank supplies water to the reformer. The reformer includes a reforming unit configured to have a reforming reaction generated therein, a combustion unit configured to supply heat energy to the reforming unit, and a carbon monoxide reduction unit configured to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in a reformed gas discharged from the reforming unit. A combustion gas pipe is connected to the combustion unit. A reformed gas pipe is disposed between the reforming unit and the carbon monoxide reduction unit. At least one of the combustion gas pipe and the reformed gas pipe is configured to pass through the inside of the water tank or to raise a temperature of the water tank through contact with the water tank, thereby preventing the freezing of the water tank. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110269038 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING HYDROGEN GENERATOR - The possibility of carbon deposition from a raw material gas is made lower than before in a pressure compensating operation carried out after stopping the stop process of a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110274995 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system according to the present invention includes: a hydrogen generator ( | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110281189 | CONNECTION STRUCTURE BETWEEN OXIDIZER AND FUEL VAPORIZER IN FUEL REFORMER AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAME - A connection structure between a fuel vaporizer and an oxidizer in a fuel reformer is disclosed. Fuel reformers having the connection structure may be included in fuel cell systems. Methods for forming the connection structure are also disclosed. The method includes forming the fuel vaporizer and forming the oxidizer. Forming the fuel vaporizer may include forming through-holes in a bottom panel and a top panel to form the fuel vaporizer, forming an inner side panel protruding in a direction substantially normal to a frame of the bottom panel through-hole and welding a top portion of the inner side panel to the frame of the top panel through-hole. Forming the oxidizer may include welding a top portion of an inner wall of the oxidizer to a bottom surface of the frame of the bottom panel through-hole. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110311892 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH REFORMER AND REHEATER - The Intention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a reformer with a burner unit for reacting fuel with oxidant in an exothermic oxidation reaction to form a product gas which downstream of the burner unit is mixable with additional fuel, the resulting gas mixture being reformable in the reformer into a reformate; a fuel cell stack for receiving a supply of the reformate; and an afterburner for receiving a supply of the substances reacted in the fuel cell stack, with a burner unit for reacting fuel with oxidant in an exothermic oxidation reaction. In accordance with the invention it is provided for the burner unit of the reformer is engineered identical to the burner unit of the afterburner. In addition, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising one such fuel cell system. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110311893 | OPERATING PROCESS FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system with a reformer for generating hydrogen-containing synthesis gas and a fuel cell of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell is arranged downstream of the reformer. The fuel cell system is heated up conventionally in a first heat-up phase by combusting a superstoichiometric fuel/air mixture. The first heat-up phase is stopped by stopping the combustion of the fuel/air mixture in the mixing chamber of the reformer. In a second heat-up phase, in which the reformer catalyst is operated in the catalytic combustion operation with a superstoichiometric fuel/air mixture, the entire heat-up process can be significantly shortened by a change in stoichiometry at the end of the second heat-up phase. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110318658 | MULTI-FUNCTION SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL BUNDLE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318659 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system of the present invention comprises a fuel cell ( | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318660 | HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM UTILIZING SAME - An object is to provide a hydrogen generation apparatus in which water can be helically flow down in an evaporator without fail, a method for manufacturing the hydrogen generation apparatus, and a fuel cell system using the hydrogen generation apparatus. The hydrogen generation apparatus includes a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas; an evaporator | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120003553 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND DRIVING METHOD OF THE SAME - A method of driving a fuel cell system is disclosed. The method of driving the fuel cell system may include supplying water to a reformer by pressing a pump pipe to pressing members to move the pressing members in a first direction, stopping power generation including stopping a supply of fuel and oxidant to the reformer, and discharging water in the reformer by moving the pressing members in a second direction opposite to the first direction while pressing the pump pipe with the pressing members. A fuel cell system is also disclosed. The fuel cell system includes a reformer, a fuel cell stack and a water transferring pump. The water transferring pump includes pressing members and a pump pipe. The pump pipe is in fluid communication with a water transferring pipe. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120003554 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system is disclosed in which the oxidative degradation of an anode of a fuel cell during an operation stop period is restrained. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120009492 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD FOR THE FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND STATE DETECTION METHOD FOR FUEL CELL - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel supply portion that supplies fuel to the fuel cell, a combustion portion that burns an anode exhaust gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell, and an oxygen concentration detection portion that detects the oxygen concentration in a predetermined gas. The fuel flow control portion controls the amount of flow of fuel supplied from the fuel supply portion to the fuel cell so that the amount of fluctuation of the oxygen concentration in the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustion portion which is detected by the oxygen concentration detection portion is between a first value and a second value that is larger than the first value. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120021314 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL WITH INTERNAL REFORMING MEMBER - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, and an active portion comprising an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer. The active portion is configured to react an oxidizing fluid and a reducing fluid to generate an electromotive force. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes an internal reforming member disposed within the fuel cell tube, the internal reforming member being configured to receive raw fuel and convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The solid fuel cell tube further includes an anode current collector disposed within the fuel cell tube, the anode current collector connected to the anode layer of the anode current collector and providing support to the internal reforming member such that the internal reforming member retains a desired position within the fuel cell tube. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021315 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system ( | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120028142 | RAPID START FUEL REFORMING SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES - An on-board fuel processor includes a microchannel steam reforming reactor ( | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028143 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The present invention comprises fuel cells | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028144 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - Provided are a fuel cell system capable of shortening the wait time of an observer who confirms set points of a system interconnection protective device before starting a system interconnection operation, and a method for operating the fuel cell system. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120040263 | Fuel Cell Device - Provided is a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device of which power generation efficiency is improved. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120045701 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL SYSTEM - A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045702 | FUEL CELL MODULE - Disclosed is a fuel cell module provided with a fuel cell stack and a load-applying mechanism. The load-applying mechanism is provided with: a first clamping part that applies a first camping load, in the direction of stacking, to the gas seal part of the fuel cell stack; a second clamping part that applies to an electrolyte/electrode unit, in the aforementioned direction of stacking, a second clamping load that is lighter than the first clamping load; and a third clamping part that is provided on the first clamping part and, separately from the first clamping part, applies a third clamping load to the gas seal part in the aforementioned direction of stacking. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045703 | FUEL CELL MODULE - In a fuel cell stack constituting a fuel cell module, electrolyte/electrode assemblies and separators are alternately laminated. An electrolyte/electrode assembly is arranged on one end of the fuel cell stack in the lamination direction, while a separator is arranged on the other end of the fuel cell stack in the lamination direction. A terminal separator is arranged adjacent to the electrolyte/electrode assembly, while a load relaxation member is arranged adjacent to the separator. The terminal separator controls the supply of a fuel gas to a fuel gas channel, and the load relaxation member is configured of a laminate of a plurality of flat metal plates. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120064421 | HYDROGEN GENERATION DEVICE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH SAME - A hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a hydrogen generator configured to generate a fuel gas through a reforming reaction by using a raw fuel; a combustor configured to heat the hydrogen generator; an on-off valve configured to open/block a gas passage through which the gas that is sent out from the hydrogen generator is supplied to the combustor; a combustion air supply device configured to supply combustion air to the combustor; an ignition device provided at the combustor; and a controller. In a case where flame extinction has occurred at the combustor during generation of a hydrogen-containing gas in a start-up process, the controller performs an ignition operation of the ignition device with the on-off valve kept opened. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120064422 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell, a first combustor, a first heating gas return channel and a gas supplier. The fuel cell includes a solid electrolyte cell with an anode and a cathode. The fuel cell generates power by reacting a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas. The first combustor selectively supplies a heating gas to the cathode of the fuel cell. The first heating gas return channel mixes at least some exhaust gas discharged from the cathode with the heating gas of the first combustor such that a mixed heating gas of the exhaust gas and the heating gas is supplied to the cathode. The gas supplier connected to the first heating gas return channel for supplying the exhaust gas from the cathode to mix with the heating gas of the first combustor. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120070753 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SAME - A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell; a fuel processor including a reformer and a selective oxidizer configured to cause a reaction between carbon monoxide contained in a reformed gas and oxygen in air, an air blower configured to send air for use in power generation to a cathode of the fuel cell and to send air for use in a selective oxidation reaction to the selective oxidizer; a cathode air passage, one end of which is connected to the cathode of the fuel cell and the other end of which is connected to the air blower; a selective oxidation air passage, one end of which is connected to a branching point, on the cathode air passage, at which the selective oxidation air passage branches off from the cathode air passage, and the other end of which is connected to the selective oxidizer; a selective oxidation air meter configured to measure the flow rate of air supplied to the selective oxidizer; and a controller configured to control the air blower. The cathode air passage and the selective oxidation air passage are formed such that the flow rate of the air sent to the selective oxidizer is less than the flow rate of the air sent to the cathode. While the fuel cell is generating power, the controller performs feedback control of controlling the supply performance of the air blower based on the air flow rate measured by the selective oxidation air meter, such that the flow rate of the air sent to the selective oxidizer becomes a target value. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120077099 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL WITH MULTIPLE FUEL STREAMS - Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell including an electrochemical cell, a first fuel reformer, and a first feed tube. The electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode at least partially defines an anode chamber. The anode is configured to convert a reformed fuel to an exhaust fluid comprising water. The fuel reformer is configured to receive raw fuel and to convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The fuel reformer is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is configured to route raw fuel downstream the first fuel reformer such that raw fuel reacts with water of the exhaust fluid. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077100 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS UTILIZING TAYLOR VORTEX FLOWS - Electrochemical cells ( | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120121999 | CELL OF A HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL WITH INTERNAL REFORMING OF HYDROCARBONS - It relates to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with internal reforming of hydrocarbons, in which said cell is a metal-supported cell comprising a porous metallic support comprising pores having walls, said porous support comprising a first main surface and a second main surface, an anode adjacent to said second main surface, an electrolyte adjacent to said anode, and a cathode adjacent to said electrolyte, a catalyst for reforming at least one hydrocarbon being deposited on the walls of the pores of the porous metallic support, and the amount and concentration of catalyst in the porous metallic support decreasing in a direction from the first main surface in the same direction as a flow direction of a hydrocarbon feed stream, along said first main surface on the outside of the cell. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120129063 | FLOW ARRANGEMENT FOR FUEL CELL STACKS - A method of operating a fuel cell apparatus that comprises at least first and second groups of fuel cell stacks includes heating cathode gas supplied from a cathode gas inlet to cathode parts of the first group of fuel cell stacks by passing the cathode gas in heat exchange relationship with cathode exhaust gas being removed from at least one group of fuel cell stacks, and supplying cathode gas to the cathode parts of the second group of fuel cell stacks from a location upstream of a location at which the cathode gas being supplied to the cathode parts of the first group of fuel cell stacks is heated. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120141893 | STEPPED STEAM REFORMER - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing heat transfer in a steam reformer. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer including an outer wall and an inner wall which includes a step extending outward toward the outer wall and downward toward a bottom of the steam reformer at a position between a top of the steam reformer and the bottom of the steam reformer. The steam reformer further includes a reaction chamber disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120156579 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a combusting portion, an evaporating portion including an inlet port, a reforming portion, a tank including an outlet port, a supply passage, a water sensor detecting a water level of water positioned away from the inlet port by a predetermined distance, a water supply source, and a control portion. At a start of a power generation, the control portion instructs the water supply source to operate so that the water in the tank is supplied to the supply passage in a state where a water accommodating void is formed at the supply passage. The control portion performs a water level set process so that the water level in the supply passage is specified at a position away from the inlet port by the predetermined distance while monitoring the water level based on a detection signal of the water sensor. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120178006 | HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS OPERATION METHOD - A hydrogen generation apparatus ( | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120189930 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, an evaporating portion, a reforming portion, a tank, a heating portion, a water supply passage, a water supply source being switchable between a normal mode in which water in the tank is sent to the evaporating portion by a first rotation, and a reverse mode in which the water in the water supply passage is returned to the tank by a second rotation, and a control portion performing a freeze restraining process by controlling the water supply source to alternately operate in the normal mode and the reverse mode in a case where the control portion determines a possibility of a freezing or a start of the freezing of at least one of the water supply passage and the water supply source. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120189931 | FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND OPERATION STOP METHOD OF THE SAME - A fuel cell power generation system including a fuel cell, a fuel generator, an oxidizing gas supply device, an output controller, an open-close mechanism, and a controller. The controller is configured such that in a stop process, the controller controls the output controller to stop supplying the electric power to an external load; controls the oxidizing gas supply device to stop supplying an oxidizing gas and controls the open-close mechanism to close a passage upstream from an oxidizing gas channel; after the passage upstream from the oxidizing gas channel is closed, stops a raw material gas supply device and a water supply device when a predetermined period has elapsed, during which period a gas in the oxidizing gas channel is replaced by a fuel gas. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120219872 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system according to the present invention includes: a hydrogen generator; a burner; an air supply device; a fuel cell; a condenser configured to condense an exhaust reducing gas to recover condensed water, the exhaust reducing gas being discharged from the fuel cell; a condensed water tank configured to store the condensed water recovered by the condenser; a water level detector configured to detect a water level in the condensed water tank; a degasifier configured to remove a carbonic acid component contained in the condensed water by using an exhaust oxidizing gas discharged from the fuel cell; a water conveyance passage configured to connect the condensed water tank and the degasifier and including a water sealing structure at a portion thereof; a water level changing unit configured to change the water level in the condensed water tank; and a controller, and the controller causes the water level changing unit to change the water level in the condensed water tank, and when the water level detector has detected the change of the water level, the controller determines that the water level detector is normally operating. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120225363 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell system, wherein planar fuel cells are arranged in stacked form and in this respect an integrated post-combustion of non-oxidized components, or of not fully oxidized components, in the exhaust gas can take place. The fuel cells of a system in accordance with the invention have a cathode-electrolyte-anode unit. A bipolar plate is arranged between two respective fuel cells and channels for the supply and removal of a fuel gas to anodes and of an oxidizing agent to cathodes are present. The exhaust gases at the anode side or at the cathode side are introduced via internal additional channels or directly into an afterburner in which a catalytic post-oxidizing of the exhaust gas mixture formed with the exhaust gas at the anode side and at the cathode side takes place. In this respect, a catalytic afterburner is associated with every single fuel cell or with a group formed of a plurality of fuel cells and the afterburners are arranged so that exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell at the anode side or at the cathode side can enter directly into an afterburner. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120231360 | THERMALLY INTEGRATED FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120237842 | OPTICAL SEMICONDUCTOR AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, OPTICAL SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, PHOTOCATALYST, HYDROGEN PRODUCING DEVICE, AND ENERGY SYSTEM - The method for producing the optical semiconductor of the present disclosure includes a mixing step of producing a mixture containing a reduction inhibitor and a niobium compound that contains at least oxygen in its composition; a nitriding step of nitriding the mixture by the reaction between the mixture and a nitrogen compound gas; and a washing step of isolating niobium oxynitride from the material obtained through the nitriding step by dissolving chemical species other than niobium oxynitride with a washing liquid. The optical semiconductor of the present disclosure substantially consists of niobium oxynitride having a crystal structure of baddeleyite and having a composition represented by the composition formula, NbON. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120251906 | System for Adding Sulfur to a Fuel Cell Stack System for Improved Fuel Cell Stability - A system for adding sulfur to a reformate stream feeding a fuel cell stack, having a sulfur source for providing sulfur to the reformate stream and a metering device in fluid connection with the sulfur source and the reformate stream. The metering device injects sulfur from the sulfur source to the reformate stream at a predetermined rate, thereby providing a conditioned reformate stream to the fuel cell stack. The system provides a conditioned reformate stream having a predetermined sulfur concentration that gives an acceptable balance of minimal drop in initial power with the desired maximum stability of operation over prolonged periods for the fuel cell stack. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120270123 | Fuel Cell Arrangement - The invention relates to fuel cell arrangement characterized in that the fuel cell stack is arranged in a fuel cell housing arranged within the main housing interior which is adapted to the shape of the fuel cell stack such that it encloses the fuel cell stack at a close distance, wherein the fuel cell housing comprises at least one intake opening connected to the interior of the main housing and at least one connection to the suction line connected to the intake side of the fan, and wherein a burner line connected to an inlet opening of the reformer burner is connected to the pressure side of the fan. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120288776 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell of a solid polymer type that generates power by using a hydrogen-containing gas as a fuel gas, a reformer that generates the fuel gas by reforming ammonia, and a supply amount ratio control unit that controls a supply amount ratio of oxygen and ammonia to be supplied the reformer. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120295173 | FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - There is provided a fuel cell power generation system in which power loss in a power line electrically connecting a stack and a power conversion circuit, thereby attaining high power generation efficiency. A reformer and the stack are disposed in a main body package. Stack output terminals | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120321974 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL CELL UTILIZING A FUEL CELL SENSOR - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube comprising an inner anode, an outer cathode, and an electrolyte disposed between the inner anode and the outer cathode. The inner anode includes a plurality of hollow rod current conducting members embedded in a bulk anode. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120328966 | PROTECTION OF POROUS CARBON FUEL PARTICLES FROM BOUDOUARD CORROSION - A system for producing energy that includes infusing porous carbon particles produced by pyrolysis of carbon-containing materials with an off-eutectic salt composition thus producing pore-free carbon particles, and reacting the carbon particles with oxygen in a fuel cell according to the reaction C+O | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130017461 | ELECTRODE FOR FUEL CELL, AND MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING SAMEAANM HAN; Sang-IIAACI Yongin-siAACO KRAAGP HAN; Sang-II Yongin-si KRAANM SONG; Kah-YoungAACI Yongin-siAACO KRAAGP SONG; Kah-Young Yongin-si KRAANM KIM; Hee-TakAACI Yongin-siAACO KRAAGP KIM; Hee-Tak Yongin-si KRAANM CHO; Sung-YongAACI Yongin-siAACO KRAAGP CHO; Sung-Yong Yongin-si KRAANM KIM; Tae-YoonAACI Yongin-siAACO KRAAGP KIM; Tae-Yoon Yongin-si KRAANM MIN; Myoung-KiAACI Yongin-siAACO KRAAGP MIN; Myoung-Ki Yongin-si KRAANM CHAI; Geun-SeokAACI Yongin-siAACO KRAAGP CHAI; Geun-Seok Yongin-si KR - An electrode for a fuel cell is disclosed. The electrode may include an electrode substrate with a conductive substrate, carbon particles, and a catalyst layer disposed on the electrode substrate. The electrode substrate may include a pore having an average diameter of about 20 μm to about 40 μm and porosity of about 30 volume % to about 80 volume % based on the total volume of the electrode substrate. A membrane-electrode assembly including the electrode and a fuel cell system including the membrane electrode assembly are also disclosed. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130017462 | HEAT EXCHANGER FOR A HOT FUEL CELLAANM Loevenbruck; ComeAACI VernonAACO FRAAGP Loevenbruck; Come Vernon FRAANM Indersie; DominiqueAACI VernonAACO FRAAGP Indersie; Dominique Vernon FRAANM Boukhalfa; AbdelkrimAACI Mont Saint AignanAACO FRAAGP Boukhalfa; Abdelkrim Mont Saint Aignan FRAANM Talbot; BenoitAACI Saint QuentinAACO FRAAGP Talbot; Benoit Saint Quentin FR - A heat exchanger for operating at an outlet of a hot fuel cell feeding the heat exchanger with oxidizer gas and with fuel gas, the heat exchanger including: a first flow circuit for oxidizer gas; a second flow circuit for fuel gas; a pre-mixer chamber fed both with oxidizer gas and with fuel gas from at least the second circuit; a combustion chamber fed with the gaseous mixture from the pre-mixer chamber and with oxidizer gas from the first circuit; and a flow circuit for flue gas, receiving the flue gas coming from the combustion chamber. The first flow circuit for oxidizer gas, the second flow circuit for fuel gas, the combustion chamber, and the flow circuit for flue gas are immersed in a common cooling fluid. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130017463 | FUEL CELL SYSTEMAANM KAUPERT; AndreasAACI EsslingenAACO DEAAGP KAUPERT; Andreas Esslingen DEAANM NOTEMANN; ValentinAACI SonthofenAACO DEAAGP NOTEMANN; Valentin Sonthofen DEAANM REINERS; KarstenAACI EsslingenAACO DEAAGP REINERS; Karsten Esslingen DE - A fuel cell system ( | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130017464 | FUEL CELL SYSTEMAANM Fujisawa; KimikoAACI Wako-shiAACO JPAAGP Fujisawa; Kimiko Wako-shi JPAANM Ogawa; TetsuyaAACI Wako-shiAACO JPAAGP Ogawa; Tetsuya Wako-shi JP - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module, a combustor, a fuel gas supply apparatus, an oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, a power converter, a control device, and a casing containing the fuel cell module, the combustor, the fuel gas supply apparatus, the oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, the water supply apparatus, the power converter, and the control device. The casing includes a casing body and an open/close door that opens/closes the casing body by rotation about a vertical axis through hinges. The power converter and the control device are attached onto the open/close door at upper and lower positions. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130029237 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module, a combustor, a fuel gas supply apparatus, an oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, a power converter, a control device, and a casing containing the fuel cell module, the combustor, the fuel gas supply apparatus, the oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, the water supply apparatus, the power converter, and the control device. The casing includes a casing body having an opening in the front face and a slide door that is installed onto the casing body. When the slide door slides horizontally, the opening is opened/closed. The power converter and the control device are attached onto the slide door at upper and lower positions. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130034785 | HYDROGEN GENERATION UTILIZING INTEGRATED CO2 REMOVAL WITH STEAM REFORMING - A steam reformer may comprise fluid inlet and outlet connections and have a substantially cylindrical geometry divided into reforming segments and reforming compartments extending longitudinally within the reformer, each being in fluid communication. With the fluid inlets and outlets. Further, methods for generating hydrogen may comprise steam reformation and material adsorption in one operation followed by regeneration of adsorbers in another operation. Cathode off-gas from a fuel cell may be used to regenerate and sweep the adsorbers, and the operations may cycle among a plurality of adsorption enhanced reformers to provide a continuous flow of hydrogen. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130040215 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM, REFORMER SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The disclosed fuel cell system includes a reformer that generates a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming a raw fuel and water with a reforming catalyst, a fuel cell that generates power in a cell unit using the reformed gas, a raw fuel introducing unit that introduces the raw fuel into the reforming catalyst, an unreformed gas generation information acquisition unit that acquires information on unreformed gas generation in the reforming catalyst, and a control unit that performs introduction amount reduction control of causing the raw fuel introducing unit to reduce the introduction amount of the raw fuel on the basis of the information on unreformed gas generation acquired by the unreformed gas generation information acquisition unit. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130045429 | Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System - A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel cell provided with a reforming part, a gas-water supply system for supplying a plurality of kinds of gases and water to the reforming part, and a water tank for storing water. The gas-water supply system includes a reforming gas supply part for supplying a reforming gas, an oxygen-containing has supply part for supplying an oxygen-containing gas, and a water supply part for supplying water from the water tank. A control unit is provided for controlling whether, based on a signal from a stored water volume sensor which detects the volume of water in the water tank for carrying out a reforming reaction in the reforming part, switching between an oxygen-containing gas supply part and the water supply part is carried out, or both the supply parts are used in combination. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130065143 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY, AND THE USE OF A SUBSTANCE MIXTURE FOR PRODUCING ENERGY - The present invention relates, in particular, to a process for generating energy, which comprises the following steps:
| 03-14-2013 |
| 20130084510 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND DEGRADATION DETERMINING METHOD FOR FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack that is formed of a plurality of serially connected fuel-cell cells that use fuel gas and oxidant gas to generate electric power; a detecting unit that detects an output power generated by each of a first fuel-cell cell group and a second fuel-cell cell group that are grouped on the basis of a power generation performance factor; and an operating condition changing unit that changes an operating condition of the fuel-cell cells on the basis of a rate of deviation between the generated output power of the first fuel-cell cell group, detected by the detecting unit, and the generated output power of the second fuel-cell cell group, detected by the detecting unit. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130089799 | SYSTEM HAVING HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS - The invention relates to a system having high-temperature fuel cells, for example SOFCs. A reformer connected upstream of the high-temperature fuel cells at the anode side, a start burner for the preheating of the cathodes of the high-temperature fuel cells, an afterburner and an operating heat exchanger are present at the system in accordance with the invention. Oxidizing agent can be supplied to the high-temperature fuel cell cathodes through the operating heat exchanger. In addition, it can be heated with the exhaust gas of the high-temperature fuel cells. Exhaust gas conducted through the operating heat exchanger can flow in an exhaust gas line together with environmental air and can then be conducted away into the environment as cooled exhaust gas. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130095401 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING PROPULSION ENERGY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE EXHAUST - Engine exhaust is sent to a reformer, which produces hydrogen from fuel remaining in the exhaust. The hydrogen may be stored in a hydrogen tank, and may be used by a fuel cell to produce electricity to recharge a vehicle battery and/or to supply propulsion current to an electric propulsion system. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130101912 | Burner Reformer for Fuel Cell Power Generating System - A burner reformer is provided for a power generating system using fuel cell. A burner is contained inside the reformer. The reformer absorbs heat from the burner and other heat source to reduce heat loss and save connecting wires. The present invention avoids flashing back of hydrogen. When fuel is lean, flame would not easily die and the system can thus work stably. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130115536 | Hydrogen Generator - A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge including a plurality of pellets stacked within a casing, each pellet containing a hydrogen containing material capable of releasing hydrogen gas when heated; a compartment including a hydrogen outlet through a housing and as cavity within the housing within which the cartridge can be removably disposed; and an induction heating system. The induction heating system includes a plurality of secondary coils within the cartridge casing, with each secondary coil in contact with one or more of the pellets. The induction heating system also includes at least one primary coil within the compartment housing. The induction heating system provides an electromagnetic field from a flow of the current in the primary coil, induces an electric current in the secondary coil, and producing heat to heat the pellets. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130115537 | INTERNAL REFORMING TUBULAR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL STACK AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR - The present invention provides a large-scale solid oxide fuel cell stack and a method of manufacturing the stack. In the present invention, a segmented cell tube ( | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130115538 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power generation system according to the present invention includes: a fuel cell system ( | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130122384 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR, METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The invention discloses a hydrogen generator ( | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130130137 | HUGE STACK FOR FLAT-TUBULAR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a stack for a solid oxide fuel cell and a manufacturing method thereof, and more specifically, to a stack for a high-capacity solid oxide fuel cell and a manufacturing method thereof, in which cell modules comprising a flat-tubular reformer integrated with flat-tubular reactors are electrically connected to form a cell bundle. In a cell module of the stack for the solid oxide fuel cell according to the invention, at least one flat-tubular reactor is stacked on a flat-tubular reformer, wherein the flat-tubular reformer is closed at one side and has formed therein at least one first channel extending to the outside; the flat-tubular reactor is closed at one side and has formed therein at least one second channel extending to the outside; reaction units and air channels are formed on the outside of the flat-tubular reactor; and the first channel and the second channel communicate with each other. A plurality of the cell modules are stacked to form a cell bundle, and a plurality of the cell bundles are electrically in series and in parallel to form a cell stack. Thus, the invention enables a stable reaction by producing high-capacity electricity, and obtains stability in long-term operation due to easy replacement. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130130138 | HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A hydrogen generation apparatus ( | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130137006 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power generation system according to the present invention includes: a fuel cell system ( | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130171533 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT TO CONTROL OPERATING CONDITIONS IN FUEL CELL DEVICE - An exemplary arrangement and method for controlling operating conditions of a fuel cell device are disclosed. The fuel cell device having plural fuel cells, each including an anode side, a cathode side, an electrolyte between the anode side and the cathode side, and being arranted in a stack. The control arrangement includes at least one controllable electrical heater configured to produce controllable heat quantities, at least two controllers that control fuel cell quantities including at least a portion of air flowing to the fuel cells and heat applied to the stack environment. The controllable heat quantities and controllable fuel cell quantities are controlled to meet a target value. The fuel cell device includes a low level high speed controller configured to control at least one controllable electrical heater to operate the heater as a buffer for excess energy of the fuel cell device. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130171534 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - A solid oxide fuel cell device is provided which prevents excessive rising of the temperature inside a fuel cell module during the startup process. In a startup process, control unit controls to cause a transition from a fuel gas reforming reaction process to a POX process, an ATR process, and a SR process, then to a generating process; when the cell stack temperature and reformer temperature in each process satisfy respectively set transition conditions, a transition to the next process takes place; if control unit determines a temperature rise assist state exists, it executes an excess temperature rise suppression control so that during at least the transition to the generating process, the reformer temperature does not exceed a predetermined value. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130177825 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power generation system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell unit ( | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130183598 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell. A separator of the fuel cell includes a sandwiching section for sandwiching an electrolyte electrode assembly, a bridge section, and a reactant gas supply section. A fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel are formed in the sandwiching section. A fuel gas supply channel, a fuel gas return channel, and an oxygen-containing gas supply channel are formed in the bridge section. A fuel gas supply passage a fuel gas discharge passage and an oxygen-containing gas supply passage are formed in the reactant gas supply section. The bridge section is provided integrally with the reactant gas supply section, and surrounds the entire outer circumference of the sandwiching section. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130183599 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell of the present capable of improving overall energy efficiency. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell having: a fuel cell module; a fuel supply device; a combustion chamber for burning residual fuel and heating; a heat storing material, a power demand detecting sensor; a temperature detection device, and a control device for controlling so that the fuel utilization rate is high when generated power is large, and also for changing output power at a delay to the fuel supply amount; whereby the control device is furnished with a stored heat amount estimating circuit, and when it is estimated that a usable heat amount has accumulated in the heat storing material, the fuel supply amount is reduced so that the fuel utilization rate increases vs. the same generated power. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130196239 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell device for preventing excess temperature rises inside a fuel cell module during the startup process. During a startup process, a control unit | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130202977 | Steam Boiler for a Steam Reformer - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to a compact steam boiler which may provide steam to a steam reformer in a fuel cell system. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam boiler including an outer shell and a first inner tube and a second inner tube within the outer shell, the first and second inner tubes spaced away from one another. The steam boiler further includes a twisted ribbon positioned inside each of the first and second inner tubes. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130216925 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH INTERCONNECT - The present invention includes an integrated planar, series connected fuel cell system having electrochemical cells electrically connected via interconnects, wherein the anodes of the electrochemical cells are protected against Ni loss and migration via an engineered porous anode barrier layer. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130216926 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell system includes a cell stack having multiple adjacent fuel cells; a reformer that reforms raw gas and produces fuel gas supplied to the fuel cells; a combustion section that causes combustion of the fuel gas discharged from the fuel cells and heats the reformer with combustion heat of the fuel gas; an ignition device that ignites the combustion section; a combustion state confirmation device that senses that heating of the entire reformer has started using the advancement of flame transfer between fuel cells in the combustion section; and a controller programmed to start an operation of the system heating the reformer by using combustion heat from the combustion section and reaction heat from the partial oxidation reforming reaction (POX) in the reformer. During the period until the combustion state confirmation device senses that the heating of the entire reformer has started after the ignition device ignited the combustion section, the controller suppresses the amount of heat emitted by the partial oxidation reforming reaction in the reformer more than the amount of heat emitted after heating of the entire reformer has started. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130236802 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power generation system according to the present invention includes: a fuel cell system ( | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130244126 | HIGH-TEMPERATURE OPERATING FUEL CELL MODULE, AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE OPERATING FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A SOFC module ( | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130260271 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a fuel cell system with which degradation of fuel cells can be suppressed by avoiding the ill effects caused by bumping of water used for steam reforming during the electrical generation. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system including: a fuel cell module, a fuel flow regulator unit, a reformer for reforming supplied fuel, a vaporizing section for supplying steam to the reformer, a water flow regulator unit, and a controller for controlling the fuel supply device and water supply device, and for controlling the power extracted from the fuel cell module; whereby the controller is furnished with: a bumping determination circuit for determining the occurrence of excessive vaporization of water in a vaporizing chamber, and an extracted power limiting circuit for limiting the power when the bumping determination circuit has determined excessive bumping of water. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130260272 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS METHOD - A system has: a stack having anodes supplied with anode fluid and cathodes supplied with cathode fluid; an evaporating portion generating steam by evaporating water; a water deliverer delivering the water to the evaporating portion; and a reforming portion producing the anode fluid through steam-reforming on fuel using the steam generated by the evaporating portion. A controller executes a determination process that determines whether an open circuit voltage of the stack increases while the water is temporarily fed to the evaporating portion, when the stack is restarted from a state where power generation of the stack is suspended but the temperature of the evaporating portion is a reference temperature being capable of generating steam, and if the open circuit voltage has increased or is on an increase, the controller executes a restart process for resuming the power generation of the stack. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130266879 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell that generates electric power using fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas and combusts fuel gas remaining unused for generation of electric power; a fuel gas supply line that supplies the fuel gas to the fuel cell; and an on-off valve disposed in the fuel gas supply line. A shutdown transition mode in which the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply line downstream from the on-off valve is supplied to the fuel cell at a flow rate smaller than that at a time of generation of electric power and is combusted therein after the on-off valve is closed, and a shutdown mode which is started after the shutdown transition mode are provided as an emergency shutdown mode in which the fuel cell undergoes emergency shutdown when the on-off valve of the fuel gas supply line is closed. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130273447 | Method for Supplying Fuel Gas to a Fuel Cell - A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel cell provided with a reforming part, a gas-water supply system for supplying a plurality of kinds of gases and water to the reforming part, and a water tank for storing water. The gas-water supply system includes a reforming gas supply part for supplying a reforming gas, an oxygen-containing has supply part for supplying an oxygen-containing gas, and a water supply part for supplying water from the water tank. A control unit is provided for controlling whether, based on a signal from a stored water volume sensor which detects the volume of water in the water tank for carrying out a reforming reaction in the reforming part, switching between an oxygen-containing gas supply part and the water supply part is carried out, or both the supply parts are used in combination. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130288145 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH PARTIAL EXTERNAL REFORMING AND DIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING - A fuel cell system includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells arranged in a fuel cell stack, an integrated heat exchanger/reformer operable to partially reform an anode feed prior to entry into the fuel cell stack, an anode tailgas oxidizer, and an offgas flow path extending away from an anode side of the fuel cell stack and having a first branch to selectively combine offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack with fuel from a fuel source to comprise the anode feed to the fuel cell stack and a second branch to supply offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack to the anode tailgas oxidizer. The integrated heat exchanger/reformer transfers heat from the oxidized offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer to the anode feed before the anode feed enters the anode side of the fuel cell stack. The offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer provides the sole heat source for the anode feed traveling through the integrated heat exchanger/reformer. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130302708 | FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - A fuel cell power generation system according an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a fuel cell ( | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130316257 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - In the fuel cell system, a change in a voltage from a cell stack in relation to a fuel utilization rate is acquired and deterioration of the cell stack is detected by comparing a value of the voltage with a reference value. Moreover, when it is determined that the cell stack has deteriorated, the rated power of the system is decreased so that the fuel cell system operates according to the deterioration state of the cell stack. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130316258 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes: a hydrogen generating unit that generates hydrogen-containing gas using hydrogen-containing fuel; a cell stack that performs power generation using the hydrogen-containing gas; a current acquiring unit that acquires an electric current of the power generation in the cell stack; a power generation state determination value acquiring unit that acquires a power generation state determination value based on measurement results of a power generation parameter of the power generation in the cell stack; an estimate value acquiring unit that acquires an estimated value of the power generation parameter that is predetermined for the electric current; a comparing unit that compares the power generation state determination value and the estimated value; and a supply amount adjusting unit that adjusts a supply amount of the hydrogen-containing fuel based on an increase or a decrease of the power generation state determination value in relation to the estimated value. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130344408 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power generation system according to the present invention includes: a fuel cell unit including a fuel cell, a hydrogen generator having a first combustor, and a case; a controller; a combustion unit including a second combustor; and a discharge passage formed to cause the case and the combustion unit to communicate with each other. In a case where the controller causes one of the first combustor and the second combustor to perform the ignition operation, the controller maintains an operating state of the other combustor during the period of the ignition operation of the one combustor. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140030617 | FUEL REFORMER FOR FUEL CELL - A fuel reformer includes a primary carrier having a chamber between two separated protrusions for receiving a fuel material, two orifices formed in the protrusions, and two apertures communicative with the chamber of the primary carrier, and a secondary carrier disposed below the primary carrier and having a compartment formed between two separated swellings for receiving a regulating fluid and having two holes formed in the swellings and communicative with the apertures of the primary carrier, and the orifices of the protrusions are communicative with the compartment of the secondary carrier for allowing the regulating fluid to flow through the orifices of the primary carrier and the compartment of the secondary carrier. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140030618 | ELECTRODE FOR FUEL CELL, METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME, AND MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - Disclosed are an electrode for a fuel cell that includes an electrode substrate and a surface-treatment layer disposed on the electrode substrate and including a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer partially disposed on the hydrophilic layer. Also disclosed are a method of fabricating an electrode for a fuel cell, a membrane-electrode assembly, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140030619 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - A fuel cell system includes a fuel processor; a fuel cell stack; a first water tank; a combustor; a water discharge passage connected to a water drain port formed in the first water tank to discharge the water from inside of the first water tank; a water filling detector configured to detect that at least one of the water drain port and the water discharge passage is filled with water; a water supply unit for supplying the water to the first water tank; and a controller configured to execute a water filling step of supplying the water to the first water, supply the combustible gas to the combustor via the first water tank and cause the combustor to combust the combustible gas, when the water filling detector detects that at least one of the water drain port and the water discharge passage is filled with water. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140045084 | INTERNAL STEAM GENERATION FOR FUEL CELL - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having an anode plate and a cathode plate arranged on opposing sides of a proton exchange membrane. Cooling channels are in thermal contact with at least one of the anode plate and the cathode plate and include an internal coolant passage. A pressure-drop device is provided in the coolant channels and is configured to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure within the coolant passage. In one example, the coolant within the coolant passage is at less than ambient pressure. A compression device fluidly interconnects to and is downstream from the internal coolant passage by a coolant system loop and configured to convey a sub-atmospheric pressure coolant steam. The compression device is configured to increase the pressure and a temperature of the sub-atmospheric coolant steam to a super-atmospheric pressure and maintain the coolant steam within a steam region of a pressure-enthalpy curve. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140057187 | NIOBIUM NITRIDE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, NIOBIUM NITRIDE-CONTAINING FILM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, SEMICONDUCTOR, SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, PHOTOCATALYST, HYDROGEN GENERATION DEVICE, AND ENERGY SYSTEM - The present invention is a niobium nitride which has a composition represented by the composition formula Nb | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140072892 | HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS, FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF OPERATING HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS - A hydrogen generation apparatus including: a first desulfurizer; a second desulfurizer; a reformer to generate a hydrogen-containing reformed gas from a raw material gas from which sulfur has been removed by at least one of the first desulfurizer and the second desulfurizer; and a recycle passage through which a part of the reformed gas generated by the reformer is mixed into the raw material gas to be supplied to the second desulfurizer. After installation or maintenance of the hydrogen generation apparatus, the raw material gas is supplied to the reformer through the first desulfurizer until a catalyst in the second desulfurizer is activated by a mixed gas of the reformed gas supplied through the recycle passage and the raw material gas, and after the catalyst in the second desulfurizer is activated, the raw material gas is supplied to the reformer through the second desulfurizer. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140087280 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module and a control device. The control device includes a partial oxidation reformer adjuster, a combustion starter, and a power generator. Based on at least any of the reforming state in the partial oxidation reformer, the combustion state in the exhaust gas combustor and the temperature of the fuel cell stack, the partial oxidation reformer adjuster adjusts the temperature of the partial oxidation reformer, the supply amount of raw fuel, and the supply amount of oxygen-containing gas, the combustion starter starts combustion in the exhaust gas combustor, and the power generator starts power generation in the fuel cell stack. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140099561 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a vaporizer; a reformer; a cell stack; and a housing which accommodates in inside thereof the vaporizer, the reformer, and the cell stack and includes in inside thereof a wall portion defining an exhaust gas flow channel, wherein the wall portion comprises an inner wall portion; and an outer wall portion, and defines the exhaust gas flow channel communicating to the accommodation chamber between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, and the vaporizer is disposed in the exhaust gas flow channel at a position below the reformer and the cell stack so that the vaporizer is spaced from the reformer, and further, spaced from the outer wall portion. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140127597 | METHOD OF OPERATING HYDROGEN GENERATOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A method of operating a hydrogen generator includes: a step (a) of generating a hydrogen-containing gas by a hydrogen generation unit by using a raw material in the hydrogen generation unit; a step (b) of removing a sulfur compound from the raw material by a hydrodesulfurizer which is heated by heat transferred from the hydrogen generation unit; and a step (c) of performing an operation of supplying the raw material to the hydrogen generation unit after stopping the generating of the hydrogen-containing gas by the hydrogen generation unit. The step (c) is not performed unless, at least, a temperature of the hydrodesulfurizer is such a temperature at which carbon deposition from the raw material is suppressed. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140127598 | REFORMING SYSTEM, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND ITS OPERATION METHOD - When terminating power generation by a fuel cell | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140178781 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF HEAT RECOVERY THEREOF - The present invention provides a fuel cell system, and the fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell, an after burner, a heat exchanger and a reformer. The after burner connects with the fuel cell to receive rest-bar of the fuel cell and produce a gas with high temperature. The heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchanging unit and a second heat exchanging unit connected with the first heat exchanging unit, and the second heat exchanging unit connects with a fuel input pipe for receiving the fuel. The reformer connects with the after burner, the first heat exchanging unit and the second heat exchanging unit separately. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140186729 | HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED HEAT EXCHANGER NETWORK - A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged into a stack. A combustor receives a cathode exhaust flow from the fuel cell cathodes and a flow of fuel. The fuel is oxidized in the combustor by the cathode exhaust to produce a mixed exhaust flow. A cathode air flow path extends between a fresh air source and the fuel cell cathodes. An air preheater is arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the air preheater being heated therein by a flow of uncombusted anode exhaust from the fuel cell anodes. A cathode recuperator is arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the cathode recuperator being heated therein by the mixed exhaust flow. Water passing through a vaporizer is converted to steam by heat from the mixed exhaust flow and directed from the vaporizer to the fuel cell anodes. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140205921 | Catalyst for Fuel Cell, Electrode for Fuel Cell, Membrane-Electrode Assembly for Fuel Cell and Fuel Cell System Using the Same - A catalyst for a fuel cell includes an active metal catalyst and a composite supporter supporting the active metal catalyst. The composite supporter includes a spherical-shaped supporter and a fibrous supporter, wherein the fibrous supporter is included in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total amount of the composite supporter. In addition, an electrode for a fuel cell using the same, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the electrode, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly are also disclosed. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140205922 | Catalyst for Fuel Cell, Electrode for Fuel Cell, Membrane-Electrode Assembly for Fuel Cell and Fuel Cell System Using the Same - A catalyst for a fuel cell includes an active metal catalyst and a composite supporter supporting the active metal catalyst. The composite supporter includes a spherical-shaped supporter and a fibrous supporter, wherein the fibrous supporter is included in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total amount of the composite supporter. In addition, an electrode for a fuel cell using the same, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the electrode, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly are also disclosed. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140212778 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system with which the durable lifespan of the reformer can be extended by suppressing temperature unevenness in the reformer. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell, including a fuel cell module, a reformer for producing hydrogen by POX, ATR, and SR steps; a fuel supply apparatus, a reform air supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, a generating air supply apparatus, and a control device which, as the temperature inside the fuel cell module rises, executes in sequence POX, ATR and SR steps at predetermined respective temperature bands, and causes a rise in temperature at which electrical generation is possible; wherein the control device comprises a localized temperature rise suppression circuit which, by causing steam reforming to occur locally within the reformer in the POX step, suppresses localized temperature rises in the reformer. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140234736 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device with a load following function for changing a fuel supply rate in response to a load defined as a required power determined by demand power. The solid oxide fuel cell device comprises a fuel cell module having a fuel cell stack composed of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells and a reformer for reforming fuel and supplying the fuel to the fuel cells; an inverter for receiving electrical power generated by the fuel cell module and converting the power to alternating power; a command power value setting device for setting a command power value to be generated by the fuel cell module based on the amount of load; a fuel control device for determining an fuel supply rate and supplying the fuel by the fuel supply rate to the fuel cells so as to generate the command power value; an inverter permitted power value instruction device for instructing to the inverter an inverter permitted power value corresponding to the command power value, which is the permitted amount of power to be extracted from the fuel cell module, after the fuel has been supplied by the fuel supply rate to the fuel cells by the fuel control device; and an inverter permitted power value change device for changing an amount of change per unit time in a next inverter permitted power value based on a temperature inside the fuel cell module and outputting the amount of change per unit time to the inverter permitted power value instruction device; wherein the inverter permitted power value change device changes the amount of change per unit time in the inverter permitted power value to be larger, the higher the temperature is, in a temperature region equal to or lower than a first predetermined temperature, and to be smaller, the higher the temperature is, in a temperature region equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140234737 | ENERGY SOURCE FOR OPERATING WATERCRAFT - An arrangement for charging a substrate reservoir for boats or underwater boats when traveling at the surface, comprising an energy source which is either a propulsion system driven with fossil fuels or a nuclear-powered propulsion system, and a DC current generator operated therewith; a reservoir tank for distilled or deionized water; an electrolyzer for conversion of the water from the reservoir tank with the DC current from the energy source to hydrogen and oxygen; a chemical reactor for production of a high-energy form of the substrate having an extensive π-conjugated system by chemical reaction by means of hydrogen; and a storage means for the high-energy form of the substrate produced in the reactor. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140255808 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system ( | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140272642 | CATALYSTS FOR HYDROCARBON REFORMING - In some examples, a method for treating a reforming catalyst, the method comprising heating a catalyst metal used for reforming hydrocarbon in a reducing gas mixture environment. The reducing gas mixture comprises hydrogen and at least one sulfur-containing compound. The at least one sulfur-containing compound includes one or more of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, carbonyl disulfide and organic sulfur-containing compounds such as thiophenes, thiophanes, sulfides (RSH), disulfides (RS | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140272643 | REACTOR INCORPORATING A HEAT EXCHANGER - A reactor containing a heat exchanger is disclosed, which can be operated with co-current or counter-current flow. Also disclosed is a system that includes a reactor having a reformer and a vaporizer, a fuel supply, and a water supply. The reactor includes a source of combustion gas, a reformer operative to receive reformate, and a vaporizer operative to receive water. The reformer and vaporizer each include a stack assembly formed by a combination of separator shims and channel shims. The separator shims and channel shims are stacked in a regular pattern to form two sets of channels within the stack assembly. One set of channels will have vertical passageways at either end and a horizontal flowpath between them, while the other set of channels has only a horizontal flowpath. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140295303 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL - Problem: To suppress the occurrence of damage to fuel cell units caused by oxidation shrinkage of fuel electrodes. Solution Means: The invention is a solid oxide fuel cell for generating electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxidant gas in individual fuel cell units, wherein the individual fuel cell units comprise a fuel electrode, an oxidant gas electrode, and a solid electrolyte erected between fuel electrode and oxidant gas electrode; the fuel electrode comprises a composite material containing nickel, and the solid oxide fuel cell prevents shrinkage due to oxidation of the fuel electrode by maintaining the fuel electrode in an oxygen-free atmosphere until the temperature of the fuel electrode has dropped to 350° C. after electrical generation is stopped. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140302413 | INTEGRATED POWER GENERATION AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTION USING FUEL CELLS - In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell with an excess of reformable fuel relative to the amount of oxidation performed in the anode of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting the operating conditions of a fuel cell to improve or maximize the electrical efficiency of the fuel cell, an excess of reformable fuel can be passed into the anode of the fuel cell to increase the chemical energy output of the fuel cell. This can lead to an increase in the total efficiency of the fuel cell based on the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140302414 | INTEGRATED POWER GENERATION AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTION USING FUEL CELLS - In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell to reduce or minimize losses due to loss of heat energy. A molten carbonate fuel cell can be operated based on a desired ratio of heat generated by exothermic reactions in the fuel cell relative to heat consumed by endothermic reactions in the fuel cell and any optional integrated endothermic reaction stages. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140308596 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STOPPING SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A SOFC system houses a reformer and a fuel cell stack in a module case. Each cell forming the fuel cell stack is made of a porous material having a composition containing at least nickel metal, includes a cell support having a gas passage through which the fuel gas from the reformer flows from an lower end to an upper end on the inside thereof, and the excessive fuel gas is combusted at the upper end of the gas passage. Here, after the power generation stops, until the temperature of the upper end of the fuel cell stack falls below the minimum oxidation temperature of the nickel metal, the supply amount of the fuel gas to the fuel cell stack is controlled in terms of a heat flow rate within a range of 0.1 to 0.5 times that during the system rated power generation. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140315111 | SOLID-OXIDE FUEL-CELL SYSTEM AND STARTUP-CONTROL METHOD FOR SAME - An object of the invention is to improve durability of a SOFC system and secure favorable power generation performance during the actual useful service period of the system. In the SOFC system, a fuel gas flow rate to a fuel cell stack is set at F1 at the time of start-up. At a time point when a temperature T of the fuel cell stack reaches a first temperature T1 or higher after the temperature is started to increase, when it is determined that the stack temperature T at the time of the previous system stop is lower than or equal to a predetermined value Tb, the fuel gas flow rate is decreased to F2a (which is less than F1), and when it is determined that the stack temperature T is higher than the predetermined value Tb, the fuel gas flow rate is decreased to F2b (which is less than F2a) to slow the temperature increase rate. Furthermore, when the stack temperature T reaches T2, the fuel gas flow rate is returned to F1 so as to increase the fuel gas flow rate and then the process proceeds to the next process. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140315112 | SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR STARTING SAME - During system start-up in S | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140322622 | Method for Preparing a Supported Ruthenium Catalyst - In a method of preparing a ruthenium-containing catalyst on a non-conductive metal oxide support comprises dissolving one or more ruthenium precursor compounds in an liquid organic polyol, combining the thus obtained solution with (a) nano-powder(s) of one or more metal oxides in a ratio of moles metal oxide(s) to moles ruthenium atoms in the one or more ruthenium precursor compounds of about 0:1 to about 6:1, the metal oxide nano-powder(s) having a surface area of from about 5 to about 300m | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140329159 | SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND START-UP CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - In the SOFC system, the fuel gas flow rate at the time of the start of start-up is set to the maximum fuel gas flow rate that is less than or equal to 1.3 times the maximum fuel gas flow rate Fg | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140342255 | MICROSTRUCTURED CATHODE FOR SELF-REGULATED OXYGEN GENERATION AND CONSUMPTION - A fuel cell is disclosed with a self-regulated oxygen supply used in conjunction with a self-pumping fuel supply (e.g., a self-pumping anode). The cathode side of the fuel cell includes a gas diffusion electrode interposed between the fuel chamber and the oxidant chamber (e.g., H | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140377677 | Fuel Unit For Hydrogen Generator - Disclosed are a fuel unit for a hydrogen generator and methods for producing the fuel unit and the hydrogen generator. A fuel sheet ( | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150024297 | Apparatus and Methods for Mixing Reformable Fuels and an Oxygen-Containing Gas and/or Steam - The present teachings provide apparatus and methods for mixing a reformable fuel and/or steam with an oxygen-containing gas and/or steam to provide a gaseous reforming reaction mixture suitable for reforming with a reformer and/or a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell unit and/or fuel cell system. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150037697 | POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM - Provided is a power conversion system having a solid-oxide fuel cell capable of stably generating electricity from hydrogen generated by an organic hydride. The power conversion system includes a solid-oxide fuel cell, a reactor for producing hydrogen and a dehydrogenation product from an organic hydride by dehydrogenation reaction, and a heat engine for generating motive power. The power conversion system separates the hydrogen produced by the reactor, and supplies the hydrogen as fuel to the solid-oxide fuel cell. Exhaust heat of the heat engine is supplied to both the solid-oxide fuel cell and the reactor. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150044585 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell to generate electric power; a casing accommodating at least the fuel cell, the casing including an air inlet and an exhaust outlet; a supply passage connected to the air inlet, to introduce external air into the casing; an exhaust passage connected to the exhaust outlet, to exchange heat with the supply passage and discharge at least air inside the casing; an air supply device to introduce the external air into the casing; a temperature detector to detect a temperature; and a controller configured to control at least the air supply device. If the temperature detected by the temperature detector after the controller has caused the air supply device to operate is lower than or equal to a first predetermined temperature, the controller reduces an amount of air supplied by the air supply device and causes the air supply device to continue operating. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150044586 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a fuel cell system that is advantageous for maintaining an S/C value in an appropriate region even when a rotational speed of the water pump is abnormal with respect to a target rotational speed region during a power generation operation of a fuel cell. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150044587 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system capable of avoiding the reduction of air electrodes. The present invention is a fuel cell system having: a fuel cell module, a fuel supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, an air supply apparatus, a reformer, and a control section for controlling the extraction of power from a fuel cell module, whereby the controller includes a shutdown stop circuit for executing a shutdown stop when the fuel cell stack is above the oxidation suppression temperature, and after execution of a shutdown stop, during a period when pressure on the fuel electrode side is sufficiently higher than pressure on the air electrode side, and no reverse flow of air to the fuel electrode side is occurring, a temperature drop operation is executed whereby high temperature air remaining on the air electrode side is discharged. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150064586 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell capable of executing a shutdown stop while sufficiently suppressing fuel cell oxidation. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system having a fuel cell module, a fuel supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, a generating air supply apparatus, a reformer, a fuel/exhaust gas passageway for guiding fuel/exhaust gas from a fuel supply apparatus through a reformer to outside; and a controller comprising a shutdown stop circuit; whereby the fuel/exhaust gas passageway functions as a mechanical pressure retention means, maintaining a pressure on the oxidant gas electrode side within the fuel cell module higher than atmospheric pressure, and maintaining a pressure on the fuel electrode side at a pressure higher than the pressure on the oxidant gas electrode side, until the fuel electrode temperature drops to a predetermined oxidation suppression temperature. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150072255 | PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150072256 | REFILLABEL HYDROGEN GENERATOR - A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator are disclosed. The hydrogen generator includes a reactant that undergoes a thermal decomposition reaction to produce hydrogen when heated. A laser is used to initiate the reaction. The reactant is contained in a reactant composition in a user-replaceable disc-shaped fuel unit. The reactant composition can be segregated into individual quantities. The fuel unit and the laser beam are periodically realigned by incrementally rotating the fuel unit and/or incrementally redirect the laser beam. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150086887 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system capable of avoiding the reduction of air electrodes. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system including: a fuel cell module, a fuel supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, an oxidant gas supply apparatus, a reformer, and a control section for controlling the extraction of power, whereby the controller having a shutdown stop circuit for executing a shutdown stop when the fuel cell stack is above the predetermined temperature, and after a shutdown stop, during a period when pressure on the fuel electrode side is sufficiently higher than pressure on the air electrode side, and no reverse flow of oxidant gas to the fuel electrode side is occurring, a temperature drop operation is executed whereby high temperature oxidant gas remaining on the oxidant gas electrode side is discharged. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150093664 | INTEGRATED POWER GENERATION AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTION USING SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS - In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a solid oxide fuel cell at conditions that can improve or optimize the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting conventional conditions for maximizing the electrical efficiency of a fuel cell, the operating conditions can allow for output of excess synthesis gas and/or hydrogen in the anode exhaust of the fuel cell. The synthesis gas and/or hydrogen can then be used in a variety of applications, including chemical synthesis processes and collection of hydrogen for use as a fuel. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150093665 | CATHODE COMBUSTION FOR ENHANCED FUEL CELL SYNGAS PRODUCTION - Molten carbonate fuel cells are operated with a cathode inlet stream that contains a portion of a combustible gas which may be a hydrocarbon, hydrogen, or other gas that will combine with oxygen to form heat on the cathode catalyst surface. The combustible gases can be reacted in the cathode and/or in a stage that is heat integrated with the cathode. The heat generated by the combustion reaction in the cathode can be used, for example, to allow additional endothermic reactions (such as reforming) to take place in the anode portion of the fuel cell while still maintaining a desirable temperature gradient across the fuel cell. Optionally, the cathode of the fuel cell can be modified to further enhance or control the combustion within the cathode, such as by introducing an additional catalytic surface in the cathode. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150093666 | REFORMER SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND FUEL CELL MODULE - There is provided a reformer support structure for a fuel cell module, the fuel cell module including a fuel cell body which includes a cell stack and a reformer disposed above the cell stack, and a housing which contains the fuel cell body. The reformer support structure includes a first member which includes a first engagement portion and is attached to the housing and a second member which includes a second engagement portion and is attached to the reformer. The reformer is supported by the housing by engaging the second engagement portion with the first engagement portion, an engagement part where the second engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement portion is provided above a bottom of the reformer, and the second engagement portion is slidable on the first engagement portion in a direction of thermal expansion of the reformer. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150104725 | COMBINED FUEL CELL AND BOILER SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a combined fuel cell and boiler system, and comprising: a fuel cell portion for receiving supplied outside air and raw material gas and generating electricity through a catalyst reaction; and a boiler portion comprising a latent heat exchanger, which is connected to an exhaust gas pipe of the fuel cell portion, for collecting the latent heat of self-generated exhaust gas with the latent heat of exhaust gas from the fuel cell portion. The present invention can effectively increase the efficiency of a boiler by supplying the exhaust gas from the fuel cell to the latent heat exchanger in the boiler, so as to be heat-exchanged in the latent heat exchanger with the exhaust gas from the boiler and then discharged, and can simplify the composition by unifying exhaust gas pipes. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150111120 | FUEL CELL BASED POWER GENERATOR AND FUEL CARTRIDGE - A power generator includes a power generator cavity adapted to receive a fuel cartridge, a protrusion disposed with in the cavity to engage a check valve of the fuel cartridge, a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and to generate water vapor, and a passage to transport hydrogen from the cavity to the fuel cell and water vapor to the cavity. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150118589 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A solid oxide fuel cell system including a reformer, a solid oxide fuel cell configured to generate electric power by using a hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer to an anode and air supplied to a cathode, a heat radiator configured to radiate heat from at least one of an anode off-gas and a combustion exhaust gas generated by combusting the anode off-gas to generate condensed water, a condensed water circulating passage configured to circulate the condensed water supplied from the heat radiator, a condensed water tank provided on the condensed water circulating passage and configured to store the condensed water therein, a condensed water pump provided on the condensed water circulating passage and configured to circulate the condensed water, a condensed water/off-gas heat exchanger provided on the condensed water circulating passage and configured to exchange heat between the condensed water and an off-gas discharged from the solid oxide fuel cell, and at least a part of the water supplied to the reformer is the condensed water. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150125770 | APPARATUS COMPRISING A FUEL CELL UNIT AND A COMPONENT, AND A STACK COMPONENT FOR USE IN SUCH AN APPARATUS - A fuel cell unit with a plurality of fuel cells defining a longitudinal axis and a main flow direction coaxial to the longitudinal axis. Fuel cell inlets and fuel cell outlets are arranged at opposite ends of the fuel cell unit and in line with the main flow direction. Also, a component comprising first fluid conduits arranged parallel to the main flow direction, the first fluid conduits comprising first fluid inlets and first fluid outlets arranged at opposite ends of the component and in line with the main flow direction. The component is arranged adjacent the fuel cell unit such that at least one of the first fluid inlets and the first fluid outlets of the component are arranged adjacent at least one of the fuel cell outlets and the fuel cell inlets such that a fluid flow may flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus in the first fluid conduits of the component and in the fuel cell unit and when passing from the component to the fuel cell unit or vice versa. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150125771 | INTEGRATED GASEOUS FUEL CPOX REFORMER AND FUEL CELL SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF PRODUCING ELECTRICITY - Integrated gaseous fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer and fuel cell systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The gaseous fuel CPOX reformer also can include one or more igniters, and a source of gaseous reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the gaseous fuel CPOX reformer. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150132676 | POWER GENERATOR HAVING HYDROGEN MANIFOLD - A power generator includes a cavity to accept a hydrogen producing fuel cartridge. A channel is coupled to receive hydrogen from the fuel cartridge. A manifold is coupled to the channel to receive hydrogen from the channel, the manifold having an opening to receive oxygen and water vapor, the manifold being positioned to provide the water vapor to the cavity. An array of fuel cell membranes is supported by the manifold to receive hydrogen from the manifold and oxygen from the opening in the manifold. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150147667 | Gasifier Having Integrated Fuel Cell Power Generation System - A direct carbonaceous material to power generation system integrates one or more solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) into a fluidized bed gasifier. The fuel cell anode is in direct contact with bed material so that the H | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150311542 | ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION HAVING A COOLED FUEL CELL COMPRISING AN ABSORPTION HEAT ENGINE - The invention relates to an installation ( | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311551 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A power generation system which is a fuel cell system including a preheating device that preheats a fuel, a preliminary reforming device that reforms the preheated fuel, a fuel cell stack module in which the reformed fuel reacts to generate electric power, and a circulating device that selectively supplies a product generated in the fuel cell stack module to the preheating device. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150318564 | BOP SYSTEM OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL, SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL STACK MODULE, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL - The present invention relates to a balance of plant (BOP) system of solid oxide fuel cells including a burner, a reformer, a steam generator, and heat exchangers, wherein the burner, the reformer and the steam generator are laid sequentially on top of each other to transmit the flames and burned gas generated from the burner directly to the reformer and the steam generator disposed sequentially on top of the burner, and the heat exchangers introduce the flue gas discharged from the steam generator thereinto and preheat the process air to be supplied to cathodes of stacks. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150349305 | THERMALLY INSULATING APPARATUS FOR ACCOMMODATING AT LEAST ONE COMPONENT OF AN SOFC FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN APPARATUS OF THIS KIND - An apparatus for accommodating at least one component of a SOFC fuel cell system includes a thermally insulating inner box and an outer box that surrounds the inner box. The inner box includes a base, a cover, and side panels. The outer box bears against the base, the cover, and the side panels of the inner box and presses them together, and wherein the at least one component can be arranged in the interior of the inner box. The base, the cover, and the side panels are at least partly over-dimensioned so that the inner box can be assembled with a press-fit. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150349364 | HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS, FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, METHOD OF OPERATING HYDROGEN GENERATION APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF OPERATING FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction; a combustor configured to heat the reformer; an air supply device configured to supply air to the combustor; a fuel supply device configured to supply a fuel to the combustor; a CO detector configured to detect a carbon monoxide concentration in a flue gas discharged from the combustor; and a controller configured to control at least one of the air supply device and the fuel supply device to increase an air ratio in the combustor such that the CO concentration in the flue gas increases, and then test the CO detector for abnormality. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150357664 | Plate type fuel reformer of fuel cell - A plate type fuel reformer of fuel cells includes a reformer module stacked by multiple sheet components, and an engaging surface formed on a surface of the reformer module and adhered to a surface of the default fuel cell module in order to form a great thermally-conductive combination. Detachable connections are formed between each of the sheet components and between the sheet components and the fuel cells module. The edge of the reformer module is non-protruding from the side of the fuel cell module after connection. Multiple containing spaces are respectively formed between each of the sheet components for containing default catalyst units. Also, an independent air channel is formed for guiding outside air to into the fuel cell module and a fuel channel is formed for containing the default catalyst units and guiding outside fuel to react with the catalyst units to generate hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150357665 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL SYSTEM - A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system in a manner that increases the overall efficiency and decreases the overall weight of system. The system and method include a secondary blower for boosting air stream pressure level sufficient for operation of a reformer that is designed to minimize pressure drop; an integrated heat exchanger for recovering heat from exhaust and comprising multiple flow fields for ensuring inlet temperature requirements of a solid oxide fuel cell are met; and a thermal enclosure for separating hot zone components from cool zone components for increasing thermal efficiency of the system and better thermal management. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150380748 | HEAT RECLAMATION AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SUBMERSIBLE VEHICLES THAT UTILIZE FUEL CELLS - Embodiments described herein provide for heat reclamation and temperature control of a SOFC for a submersible vehicle. The vehicle includes a SOFC, a hot box that surrounds the SOFC, a cooling loop, and a Stirling engine. The cooling loop has a heat exchanger and a coolant pump. The heat exchanger thermally couples the cooling loop to the water. The Stirling engine has a first end thermally coupled to an interior of the hot box and a second end thermally coupled to the cooling loop. The coolant pump modifies a rate of heat removal from the second end of the Stirling engine based on a pump control signal. A thermal management controller monitors a temperature of a cathode outlet of the SOFC, and modifies the pump control signal to maintain the temperature of the cathode outlet within a temperature range. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160006062 | ENERGY GENERATING UNIT COMPRISING A HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL STACK AND A VAPORIZING UNIT - The invention relates to an energy generation unit comprising a high-temperature fuel cell stack ( | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160013501 | FUEL CELL | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160036079 | STEAM BOILER FOR A STEAM REFORMER - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to a compact steam boiler which may provide steam to a steam reformer in a fuel cell system. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam boiler including an outer shell and a first inner tube and a second inner tube within the outer shell, the first and second inner tubes spaced away from one another. The steam boiler further includes a twisted ribbon positioned inside each of the first and second inner tubes. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160043419 | HYDROGEN FUEL CELL CARTRIDGE, HYDROGEN FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM FOR CONTROLLING HYDROGEN FUEL CELL CARTRIDGE - A hydrogen fuel cell cartridge is provided. Furthermore, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided, which is configured to store a program for controlling a hydrogen fuel cell cartridge of a fuel cell. In addition, a hydrogen fuel cell system is provided, which includes a plurality of cartridge segments and a control unit. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160043420 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A HYDROGEN FUEL CELL CARTRIDGE, HYDROGEN FUEL CELL CARTRIDGE, AND HYDROGEN FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A method of fabricating a hydrogen fuel cell cartridge is provided. Furthermore, a hydrogen fuel cell cartridge is provided. In addition, a hydrogen fuel cell system is provided, which includes a plurality of cartridge segments in a spiral configuration and a control unit. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160064760 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL APPARATUS - A solid oxide fuel cell apparatus | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160087296 | FUEL CELL MODULE AND FUEL CELL DEVICE - Problem: To provide a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device with improved power output. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160099479 | POWER PRODUCTION APPARATUS AND STRUCTURE BLOCK SYSTEM FOR WATER STORAGE FACILITY - The invention relates to an electric power generation system for a water storage tank and a storage structure system for a water storage tank wherein the electric power generation system for the water storage tank according to the invention comprises: a water storage tank for storing rainwater or water underground for a specific purpose; an electricity generation part for generating electricity by utilizing water stored in the water storage tank; a cooling part for cooling heat generated at the time of generating electricity by the electricity generation part; and a cooling water supply part for supplying the cooling part with the water stored in the water storage tank. Thereby, dispersed electricity generation facilities can be secured by utilizing open underground spaces of the water storage tank. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160111749 | STACK ARRAY IN SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - A stack array in a solid oxide fuel cell power generation system is provided. The stack array comprises a supporting body and a stack group, wherein the supporting body is in a layered structure and comprises one layer or at least two layers of supporting units; and on each layer of the supporting units, a plurality of stacks are sequentially arranged to form the stack group, and each stack is horizontal, and fasteners are provided between the stacks to enable the stack groups and the supporting units to form a pressurized fastening structure. The stack array of the present disclosure simplifies the arrangement of pipelines in the related art, enables effective pressurized fastening on the stacks, so as to allow the whole stack array to be compact and steady, while facilitating the detach, repair and maintenance of the stacks, which is favorable for the integration of the system. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160130513 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR DUPLEX ROTARY REFORMER - Methods apparatus for producing fuel and power from the reformation of organic waste. Various embodiments include the use of steam to produce syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, followed by conversion of that syngas product to hydrogen. Some embodiments include the use of a heated auger both to heat the organic waste and further to cool the syngas. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160149245 | Method of Plasma-Catalyzed, Thermally-Integrated Reforming - A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20160172697 | FUEL CELL MODULE | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160190622 | HIGH POWER DENSITY SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL STEAM REFORMING SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR ELECTRICAL GENERATION - A system comprising:
| 06-30-2016 |
| 20160197368 | RECHARGER FOR HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160254557 | LIQUID FUEL CPOX REFORMER AND FUEL CELL SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF PRODUCING ELECTRICITY | 09-01-2016 |
| 20170237093 | MULTI-REFORMABLE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FUEL CELLS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20180026289 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MIXING REFORMABLE FUELS AND AN OXYGEN-CONTAINING GAS AND/OR STEAM | 01-25-2018 |
| 20190143310 | HYDROGEN GENERATION FROM FORMIC ACID CATALYZED BY A METAL COMPLEX UNDER AMINE-FREE AND AQUEOUS CONDITIONS | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190148760 | FUEL CELL STACK ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME | 05-16-2019 |
