The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 29, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 09, 1998
David P Bloomfield, Boston, MA (US);
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Syracuse, NY (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell power plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) which provides hydrogen to the fuel cell. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, an anode supply region, and a mixed ion conductor membrane or metal or metal alloy membrane layer separating the autothermal reforming region from the reformer anode supply region. An anode gas loop, located between an anode supply region of the EATR and an anode compartment or section of the fuel cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas between the two regions. The carrier gas ensures proper control of partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the fuel cell is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the power plant.