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An integrated electrochemical fuel cell power plant, including a fuel processing subsystem is suitable for use in a submarine. Selection and control of operating temperatures and pressures in the various subsystems and components of the fuel cell power plant are important aspects of submarine power

An integrated electrochemical fuel cell power plant, including a fuel processing subsystem is suitable for use in a submarine. Selection and control of operating temperatures and pressures in the various subsystems and components of the fuel cell power plant are important aspects of submarine power plant design. A catalytic burner is used to heat a heat transfer fluid, which in turn is used to heat a vaporizer and reformer in the fuel processing subsystem. A hydrogen separator is used to obtain a substantially pure hydrogen fuel stream from the reformate stream, which is directed to and recirculated through the fuel cell stack in a closed-loop. The fuel processor is operated at high pressure which facilitates the discharge of waste exhaust streams overboard, and the fuel cell is operated at a substantially lower pressure.

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[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of operating a fuel cell electric power generation system for a submarine, said system comprising a solid polymerfuel cell stack for producing electrical power, said method comprising:(1) vaporizing a process fluid stream in a vaporizer to produce a vaporizer out

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of operating a fuel cell electric power generation system for a submarine, said system comprising a solid polymerfuel cell stack for producing electrical power, said method comprising:(1) vaporizing a process fluid stream in a vaporizer to produce a vaporizer outlet outlet stream, said process fluid stream comprises methanol and water;(2) catalytically reforming said vaporizer outlet stream in a reformer to produce a reformate stream comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide;(3) separating said reformate stream in a hydrogen separator into a fuel stream of substantially pure hydrogen, and a raffinate stream consisting of a hydrogen-depleted reformate stream;(4) supplying said fuel stream and an oxidant stream to said fuel cell stack, said oxidant stream comprising oxygen from a liquid oxygen supply;(5) circulating a heat transfer fluid to heat said vaporizer and said reformer;(6) heating said heat transfer fluid using a catalytic burner, said burner having a quantity of catalyst disposed therein for promoting combustion of a burner fuel inlet stream with a burner oxidant inlet stream to produce heat and a burner outlet stream, said burner oxidant inlet stream comprising oxygen drawn from said liquid oxygen supply, said burner fuel inlet stream comprising said raffinate stream and methanol, and at least a portion of said burner outlet stream being recirculated through said catalytic burner;(7) monitoring the operating temperature of said burner using a temperature sensor, and adjusting said portion of said burner outlet stream which is recirculated through said catalytic burner responsive to an output of said temperature sensor.