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:
Dec. 01, 2009
Filed:
Aug. 05, 2008
Gerard D Agnew, Derby, GB;
Robert H Cunningham, Derby, GB;
Gary J Saunders, Crewe, GB;
Rolls-Royce plc, London, GB;
Abstract
A pre-reformer () comprises a non-electrically conducting gas tight duct () and an electrically conducting wire () arranged in the duct (). The electrically conducting wire () is electrically isolated from the duct (). The duct () has an inlet () for receiving a hydrocarbon fuel at a first end () and an outlet () for supplying a pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel at a second end (). At least the inner surface () of the duct () is chemically inert with respect to the hydrocarbon fuel. An electrical power supply () is electrically connected to the electrically conducting wire () and a control means () controls the supply of electrical current through the electrically conducting wire () to maintain the electrically conducting wire () at a temperature to provide selective thermal decomposition of higher hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon fuel. The performer reduces coking in associated fuel cells and other parts of a fuel cell system.