Ballard Power Systems Corporation

Dornier Gmbh

Werner Tillmetz

David P Wilkinson

Jean St-Pierre

Kevin M Colbow

Ottmar Schmid

A method of commencing operation of a fuel cell system which includes a fuel reformer is provided. During a start-up period, the same fuel which is used in the feedstock to the reformer is directed to at least a portion of the fuel cells in the system. These fuel cells provide output power by direct oxidation of the fuel, at least until the reformer is operational, producing a hydrogen-containing gas stream suitable for the fuel cells. Thus, useful output power can be obtained from the system without the delay typically associated with start-up of the reformer.

Fuel cell system with improved starting capability

An electrolyzer has an educt chamber, a membrane, a cathode-side product chamber, a porous cathode, a diaphragm, a porous anode, in which case a liquid electrolyte can be fixed in the pores of the anode and the cathode, and an anode-side product chamber. Between the membrane and the cathode-side product chamber, a first electrically conductive plate and, adjacent to the anode-side product gas chamber, a second electrically conductive plate, are situated. The two conductive plates are used for the current supply to and the current removal from the electrodes.

Growing community of inventors

Lindau, Germany

Werner Tillmetz