Rolls-royce Fuel Cell Systems (us) Inc.

Sofco L.p.

Sofoco-efs Holdings, LLC

Rolls-royce Fuel Cell Systems Limited

Milind V Kantak

Crispin L DeBellis

Mark Anthony Perna

Gregory C Rush

Daniel P Birmingham

Thomas L Cable

Mark A Perna

Crispin L Debellis

A method of modifying reformate gas composition downstream of the reformer so that it remains in a carbon-free region, i.e. above the critical oxygen/carbon ratio even at the desired minimum operating temperature. This is accomplished by using staged partial oxidation in a partial oxidation chamber downstream of the reformer. A small amount of air (or oxygen) is added. The net result is an increase in the oxygen/carbon ratio and, thus, a lowering of the required temperature for soot-free operation. Immediately downstream of this partial oxidation chamber, heat can be removed to cool the gas prior to a second stage of partial oxidation. A second stage partial oxidation chamber produces additional water and further increases the oxygen/carbon ratio and further lowers the required gas temperature for soot-free operation. Further stages of partial oxidation followed by cooling of the gas can be repeated until the oxygen/carbon ratio is sufficiently high to allow soot-free operation at the lowest required operating temperature.

Post-reformer treatment of reformate gas

A fuel cell having an anode and a cathode side with fuel flowing over the anode side and air over the cathode side has a staging plate located on the anode side of the fuel cell to divide the flow of fuel to two different sections of the anode. A second staging plate may be used to divide the flow of fuel to three different sections of the anode and various apertures may be formed in the plates, such as rectangles triangles or ovals, to direct fuel flow to desired areas of the anode.

Internal fuel staging for improved fuel cell performance

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Mayfield Heights, OH, United States of America

Milind V Kantak