초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating steam from the cooling stream of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. As the cooling stream exits the PEM fuel cell, a portion of the cooling fluid is extracted from the circulating cooling stream, thereby creating a seconda

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating steam from the cooling stream of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. As the cooling stream exits the PEM fuel cell, a portion of the cooling fluid is extracted from the circulating cooling stream, thereby creating a secondary stream of cooling fluid. This secondary stream passes through a restriction, which decreases the pressure of the secondary stream to its saturation pressure, such that when the secondary stream enters a flash evaporator it transforms into steam. Creating steam from the cooling stream of a PEM fuel cell power plant provides the fuel processor with a co-generated source of steam without adding a significant amount of auxiliary equipment to the power plant.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fuel cell power plant, comprising:(a) a cell stack assembly of fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode and a proton exchange membrane disposed between said cathode and said anode;(b) means for circulating a coolant stream through said cell stack, there

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fuel cell power plant, comprising:(a) a cell stack assembly of fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode and a proton exchange membrane disposed between said cathode and said anode;(b) means for circulating a coolant stream through said cell stack, thereby cooling said cell stack assembly;(c) means for creating steam from the coolant stream, comprising:(1) an evaporator;(2) means for creating a secondary coolant stream from the coolant stream;(3) means for reducing the pressure of the secondary coolant stream such that the secondary coolant stream changes to steam in said evaporator; and(4) a compressor for increasing the pressure of the steam exiting said evaporator;(d) means for providing a fuel reactant gas to said anode, said means for providing a fuel reactant gas(1) a fuel processor for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and the steam, said fuel processor producing a fuel reactant gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide;(2) a shift converter for receiving the fuel reactant gas from said fuel processor and converting a portion of the carbon monoxide in the fuel reactant gas to carbon dioxide;(3) a selective oxidizer for receiving the fuel reactant gas from said shift converter and converting a further portion of the carbon monoxide in the fuel reactant gas to carbon dioxide; and(e) means for providing an oxidant reactant gas to said cathode.