Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Amanda M Weiss

Karl Jacob Haltiner, Jr

Malcolm James Grieve

Kevin Richard Keegan

Subhasish Mukerjee

David R Schumann

Charles R DeJohn

Gregory W Alexander

Juergen T Kammerer

A method for determining an optimal combustion interval during start-up of a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer under various conditions of temperature, fuel type, and combustion fuel flow rate. An initial catalyst temperature is measured and an algorithm is used to calculate a rate of heating of the catalyst by combustion based upon heat content of the fuel, selected fuel flow rate, and heat capacity and mass of the catalyst and reformer passages. From the initial temperature and the heating gradient, an optimal combustion interval is inferred through the algorithm and used to terminate combustion, initiate a combustion quench interval, and change over the fuel flow rate and mixture from combustion to reforming.

Reformer start-up strategy for use in a solid oxide fuel cell control system

A solid-oxide fuel cell system wherein a reformate combustor is disposed in the reformate flow path between a hydrocarbon reformer and a fuel cell stack. At system start-up, reformate is partially burned within the combustor by admitting combustion air, and the partially-burned reformate is passed through the anode chambers of the stack to warm the anodes. In addition, reformate is passed through a cathode-air heat exchanger to warm combustion air entering the cathode chambers of the stack. The combustor may continue to be supplied with a low level of air during steady-state operation of the SOFC, thereby providing a moist environment within the anode chambers to prevent coking of the anodes and providing additional heat to the reformate. The combustor decouples the reformer from the stack thermodynamically, permitting the reformer and the stack each to run in its own optimal temperature range.

Solid-oxide fuel cell system having an upstream reformate combustor

A process for removing contaminants from a reformer comprises removal of particulate matter under operating, or stand-by conditions, or at the start of a shutdown procedure, by introducing a gas mixture to the reformer system having an oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration leaner than a normal oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration and at a gas flow rate less than a peak flow rate. The process produces elevated temperatures at the reformer inlet and elevated levels of carbon dioxide and water that combine to remove the contaminants. Another embodiment includes removal of particulate matter during a shutdown procedure by cycling the flow of fuel and air on and off; monitoring an exit temperature of a catalyst substrate and alternatively, cycling the oxidant flow on and off when the exit temperature is less than or greater than a threshold temperature such that the exit temperature of the catalyst substrate is maintained below the temperature at which aging of the catalyst and/or a washcoat material may occur. These methods may be used individually or in combination to improve the durability and performance of the fuel reformer.

Reformer system process

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Livonia, NY, United States of America

Amanda M Weiss