초록 ▼

The present invention is an active microchannel heat exchanger with an active heat source and with microchannel architecture. The active microchannel heat exchanger has (a) an exothermic reaction chamber; (b) an exhaust chamber; and (c) a heat exchanger chamber in thermal contact with the exhaust ch

The present invention is an active microchannel heat exchanger with an active heat source and with microchannel architecture. The active microchannel heat exchanger has (a) an exothermic reaction chamber; (b) an exhaust chamber; and (c) a heat exchanger chamber in thermal contact with the exhaust chamber, wherein (d) heat from the exothermic reaction chamber is convected by an exothermic reaction exhaust through the exhaust chamber and by conduction through a containment wall to the working fluid in the heat exchanger chamber thereby raising a temperature of the working fluid. The invention is particularly useful as a liquid fuel vaporizer and/or a steam generator for fuel cell power systems, and as a heat source for sustaining endothermic chemical reactions and initiating exothermic reactions.

대표청구항 ▼

[We claim:] [1.](a) an exothermic reaction chamber comprising a cavity without microchannels having a first shell defining a heating fuel flow path and exhaust flow path, the first shell having a first exterior surface penetrated with at least one inlet, and an exhaust outlet;(b) a porous material d

[We claim:] [1.](a) an exothermic reaction chamber comprising a cavity without microchannels having a first shell defining a heating fuel flow path and exhaust flow path, the first shell having a first exterior surface penetrated with at least one inlet, and an exhaust outlet;(b) a porous material disposed within the exothermic reaction chamber wherein said porous material fills the exothermic reaction chamber from the top to the bottom of said exothermic reaction chamber;(c) an exhaust chamber having a second shell having top and bottom containment walls defining an exhaust flow path connected to said exhaust outlet, said second shell penetrated by an exhaust chamber outlet through which an exhaust flows, wherein microchannels in the exhaust chamber have microchannel walls that extend from the top containment wall to the bottom containment wall; and(d) a heat exchanger chamber having a third shell defining a liquid flow path and having a third exterior surface penetrated by a liquid inlet and a vaporized liquid outlet through which the liquid flows; wherein(e) the at least one inlet is connected to a fuel cell exhaust to receive a dilute hydrogen stream, and the vaporized liquid outlet is connected to a fuel cell power system fuel inlet to provide vaporized fuel to the fuel cell power system.