Other

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Juergen T Kammerer

David R Schumann

Karl Jacob Haltiner, Jr

Malcolm James Grieve

Kevin Richard Keegan

Haskell Simpkins

Subhasish Mukerjee

Michael Thomas Faville

John G Noetzel

John F O'Brien

Harry L Husted

Donald J Armstrong

Christopher M DeMinco

M James Grieve

Amanda M Weiss

James Michael Haller

Catherine Vavonese

Steven R Shaffer

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

A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed. A solid oxide fuel cell mechanization for a transportation vehicle is also disclosed.

Integrated solid oxide fuel cell mechanization and method of using for transportation industry applications

Growing community of inventors

Munich, Georgia

Juergen T Kammerer