초록 ▼

An integrated power module for generating thermal and electrical power is provided within a housing which includes inlets for fuel and for air, a reformer chamber, a fuel cell stack, and a combustion chamber. Oxygen-containing gas, such as air, is introduced into the module along a path in one direc

An integrated power module for generating thermal and electrical power is provided within a housing which includes inlets for fuel and for air, a reformer chamber, a fuel cell stack, and a combustion chamber. Oxygen-containing gas, such as air, is introduced into the module along a path in one direction in heat exchange relationship with reaction products produced in the reaction chamber traveling in an adjacent path, preferably in an opposite direction, to preheat the incoming oxygen-containing gas. A nozzle having an injector for the fuel and for the oxygen-containing gas delivers these gases to the interior of the reformer chamber, where ignition is supplied by a suitable device. The reaction products from the reformer chamber are fed to a fuel cell which will consume certain of the reaction products, such as hydrogen gas, with oxygen provided from the reaction chamber acting as an oxidizing gas. Exchange between a cathode and an anode will effect the generation of current, as well as the production of water, which normally will be absorbed as steam and passed from the fuel cell. The current generated by the fuel cell can be delivered externally to a user, while hydrogen may be combusted downstream in the combustion chamber to provide an added thermal energy source for heating. In alternate embodiments of the power module, the fuel cell is used as a shift reactor and hydrogen purification device. The primary product of this module is purified hydrogen gas, in additional to heat.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An integrated power module for converting combustible fuel into thermal and electrical energy, the power module comprising:an outer housing;a fuel inlet extending through the housing and through which is supplied the combustible inlet fuel for processing in the power modu

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An integrated power module for converting combustible fuel into thermal and electrical energy, the power module comprising:an outer housing;a fuel inlet extending through the housing and through which is supplied the combustible inlet fuel for processing in the power module;a gas inlet extending through the housing and through which is supplied an oxygen-containing inlet gas for processing in the power module;means for heating a first portion of the inlet gas prior to combustion;a partial-oxidation reformer within the housing for combusting the inlet fuel and the heated first gas portion at a stoichiometric gas/fuel ratio, of less than about 0.8, the reformer having a port for receiving the inlet fuel and the heated first gas portion and a port through which is ejected a hydrogen-containing product gas into an exhaust passage, wherein the receiving port and the ejecting port, are the same or different;a nozzle having an end proximate to the reformer port for injecting the inlet fuel and the heated first gas portion to the reformer, the nozzle comprising a fuel injector and a gas injector and oriented to provide impingement of the injected fuel and the injected gas on a wall of the reformer and intermixing thereby wherein the fuel injector and the gas injector are the same or different;a fuel cell within the housing for receiving and electrochemically processing at least a portion of the hydrogen-containing product gas from the reformer exhaust passage and a second portion of the inlet gas to yield thermal and electrical energy, the fuel cell comprising at least one anode, at least one cathode, an anode outlet passage into which is ejected anode exhaust gas, and a cathode outlet passage into which is ejected cathode exhaust gas, wherein the anode and the cathode are separated by electrolyte layers;a cathode terminal and an anode terminal, the cathode and anode terminals being useful for supplying electrical current generated by the fuel cell to an external load; anda combustor within the housing for receiving and combusting at least a portion of the fuel cell exhaust gases with a third portion of the inlet gas at a stoichiometric gas/fuel ratio of at least about 1.1 to generate thermal energy.