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:
Oct. 01, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 08, 2000
Chi S. Wang, Woodridge, IL (US);
J. Daniel Lyons, Wheaton, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
An integrated process and system for producing electricity for stationary purposes or for electric-powered vehicle using any of multiple hydrocarbon input fuels, a fuel cell, and a thermoelectric reformer that allows quick response to transient loads. Optional high-temperature and low-temperature water-gas shift reactors are used to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in the reformate stream; a hydrogen separator is used to remove carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and trace hydrocarbons; and a condenser is used to remove moisture from the reformate stream. Hydrogen gas not consumed in the fuel cell is stored or recycled for subsequent input to the fuel cell. H O produced in the fuel cell is recycled for use in the reformer and water-gas shift reactors and is heated with waste heat from the fuel cell and carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from the hydrogen separator. A mixer is used to vaporize the input fuel prior to entering the thermoelectric reformer. Some of the electricity produced in the fuel cell is used for powering the thermoelectric reformer and is also stored for subsequent startup and peak load purposes.