Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2003-2005
Title: Innovations by William T. Unkert
Introduction
William T. Unkert is a notable inventor based in Tolland, CT (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of fuel cell technology, holding a total of 5 patents. His work focuses on enhancing the efficiency and functionality of fuel cell systems.
Latest Patents
One of his latest patents is a steam generator for a PEM fuel cell power plant. This innovative burner assembly includes a catalyzed burner designed to combust an anode exhaust stream from a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant. The catalysts used can be platinum, rhodium, or mixtures thereof. The burner features open cells formed by a lattice, allowing communication throughout the entire catalyzed burner. The heat produced from the combustion of hydrogen in the anode exhaust stream is utilized to generate steam for a steam reformer within the PEM fuel cell assembly. The design of the burner assembly ensures a high surface area, with about 70–90% of its volume consisting of open cells, and it operates at a low pressure drop of approximately two to three inches of water from the anode exhaust stream inlet to the outlet. It functions effectively at ambient pressure and can reach temperatures of up to about 1,700°F (927°C). Additionally, the burner assembly includes an adjunct burner capable of combusting gasoline or anode bypass gas during the startup of the fuel cell power plant.
Another significant patent involves a compact precooler and cooling process. This process is designed for a hydrocarbon-fueled reformed gas fuel cell system. It includes a cooling zone with a hot gas inlet, a cooled gas outlet, and a water inlet. The reformed gas, initially at a temperature between 600 to 900°F, is fed into the hot gas inlet. The design allows for a swirling recirculating flow of the reformed gas, where atomized water droplets are introduced to cool the gas and vaporize the water. The resulting stream of cooled reformed gas exits the cooling zone at a temperature between 400 to 500°F and is substantially free of water droplets.
Career Highlights
William T. Unkert is currently employed at UTC Fuel Cells, LLC, where he continues to innovate in the field of fuel cell technology. His work has been instrumental in advancing the efficiency and effectiveness of fuel cell systems.
Collaborations