Utc Fuel Cells, LLC

Joshua D Isom

Paul R Margiott

Zakiul Kabir

Albert P Grasso

Kazuo Saito

Leslie L Van Dine

George Vartanian

Ha-Anh H Pho

Bryan Murach

A control method and arrangement ( , I, T, P, FFL) are provided in a fuel cell power plant ( ) for regulating ( , FC) fuel flow to a steam-based fuel processing system (FPS) ( ) associated with a low-temperature fuel cell stack assembly ( ). A portion of the fuel provided by the FPS ( ) is used to provide steam for the FPS. The fuel flow to the FPS is regulated as a function of the power demand (I) on the fuel cell ( ) and at least the enthalpy of the steam (P, T), such that the steam enthalpy is regulated to meet increases and decreases in power demand without exceeding steam pressure limits. In addition to reliance on-steam pressure (P) as a fundamental measure of steam enthalpy, the control may additionally use reaction temperature (T) at, or in, a reformer, such as a catalytic steam reformer ( ), to regulate fuel flow and thus, steam enthalpy.

Fuel control for fuel-processor steam generation in low temperature fuel cell power plant

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell for reacting a hydrogen rich gas; a fuel processor system for converting a hydrocarbon fuel-steam mixture into said hydrogen rich gas; and a system for preparing the hydrocarbon fuel-steam mixture which includes (a) structure for superheating a hydrocarbon fuel so as to provide a superheated fuel, and (b) structure for mixing water with the superheated fuel so as to provide the hydrocarbon fuel-steam mixture.

System and method for preparing fuel for fuel processing system

A fuel cell power plant having a plurality of functionally integrated components including a fuel cell assembly provided with a fuel stream, an oxidant stream and a coolant stream. The fuel cell power plant functionally integrates a mass and heat recovery device for promoting a transfer of thermal energy and moisture between a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream, and a burner for processing the fuel exhausted from the fuel cell assembly during operation thereof. A housing chamber is utilized in which the oxidant stream exhausted from the fuel cell assembly merges with a burner gaseous stream exhausted from the burner. The resultant airflow from the common chamber is directed back to the mass and heat recovery device as the first gaseous stream.

Functional integration of multiple components for a fuel cell power plant

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Ellington, CT, United States of America

Joshua D Isom