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:
Mar. 03, 2015
Filed:
Sep. 23, 2011
Greg A. Whyatt, West Richland, WA (US);
Christopher M. Fischer, Yakima, WA (US);
James M. Davis, Richland, WA (US);
Greg A. Whyatt, West Richland, WA (US);
Christopher M. Fischer, Yakima, WA (US);
James M. Davis, Richland, WA (US);
Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, WA (US);
Abstract
An on-board fuel processor includes a microchannel steam reforming reactor () and a water vaporizer () heated in series with a combustion gas. The reformer () and the vaporizer () are both of a cross-flow panel configuration that allows for low combustion side pressure drop. Fuel is directly injected into the steam, and during a rapid cold start, both the combustion gas flow rate and the steam to carbon ratio are substantially increased relative to their steady state operating values. A rapid cold start can be achieved in under 30 seconds with a manageable amount of electric power consumption, removing impediments to use in automotive fuel cell applications.