Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Christopher M Mergler

Sean Michael Kelly

John Alan MacBain

Gary Blake

Gary D Blake

An emergency shutdown apparatus for a solid-oxide fuel cell system, including a fuel cell stack, comprises a reservoir containing a reducing fluid, a valve enabling or preventing flow of the reducing fluid from the reservoir to the fuel cell stack, a timing circuit operating and controlling the valve, and a battery powering the timing circuit. The apparatus for an emergency system shutdown is able to operate independently of the main power plant and does not require any active control from the solid-oxide fuel cell system. The disclosed apparatus is entirely a stand-alone component that may be added to any conventional solid-oxide fuel cell system. The apparatus in accordance with the invention can be recharged, allowing the same hardware to be used over and over, however, a disposable unit could be used if found to be desirable.

Apparatus for solid-oxide fuel cell shutdown having a timing circuit and a reservoir

A method for fueling a solid oxide fuel cell stack is provided. The method includes passing a first portion of hydrocarbon fuel through a catalytic hydrocarbon reformer to generate a first reformate. The first reformate is passed through a hydrocarbon cracker to generate a second reformate such that a portion of any non-reformed hydrocarbon fuel in the first reformate is converted to methane. The second reformate is supplied to the fuel cell stack.

Solid oxide fuel cell stack assembly and method for fueling

A solid-oxide fuel cell stack assembly comprising a plurality of sub-stacks, preferably two sub-stacks each containing one-half the total number of fuel cells. Cathode air and fuel gas are passed through the first sub-stack, wherein they are partially reacted and also heated. The exhaust cathode air and the exhaust fuel gas from the first sub-stack are directed to the respective inlets of the second sub-stack, becoming the supply cathode air and fuel gas therefor. A first heat exchanger in the flow paths between the sub-stacks and a second heat exchanger ahead of the sub-stacks can help to balance the performance of the two stacks. The result of dividing the number of cells into a plurality of sub-stacks, wherein the exhaust of one sub-stack becomes the supply for the next sub-stack, is that fuel efficiency and utilization are improved, thermal stresses are reduced, and electrical power generation is increased.

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West Henrietta, NY, United States of America

Christopher M Mergler