초록 ▼

A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with interposed monolithic open cell sponge-like members which form gas passages. The monolithic members have a lattice of internal open cells which

A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with interposed monolithic open cell sponge-like members which form gas passages. The monolithic members have a lattice of internal open cells which are both laterally and longitudinally interconnected so as to provide for a diffuse gas flow. The entire surface area of the monolithic components is wash coated with a porous alumina layer, and selected areas of the wash coat are also catalyzed. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the subassembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages. The regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages and the reformer gas passages in each sub-assembly are connected by gas flow return manifolds which form a part of each sub-assembly. The fuel gases flow in one end of the assemblage, through the reformer gas passages, and then reverse their direction of flow in the return manifolds so as to exit the reformer assemblage through the regenerator gas flow passages. The burner gases flow in one end of the reformer assemblage and out the other end.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.](a) an inlet manifold for directing a mixture of the fuel gas and steam into the assembly;(b) a reformer section connected to said inlet manifold so as to receive a stream of the fuel gas and steam mixture, said reformer section being formed from first and second spaced-apa

[What is claimed is:] [1.](a) an inlet manifold for directing a mixture of the fuel gas and steam into the assembly;(b) a reformer section connected to said inlet manifold so as to receive a stream of the fuel gas and steam mixture, said reformer section being formed from first and second spaced-apart plates with a monolithic open cell foam member sandwiched between said first and second plates, said monolithic open cell member providing a diffuse gas flow path in said reformer section;(c) a regenerator-heat exchanger section adjacent to said reformer section, said regenerator-heat exchanger section being formed from said first plate and a third plate which is spaced-apart from said first plate on a side thereof opposite said second plate, said regenerator-heat exchanger section further including a monolithic open cell foam member which is sandwiched between said first and third plates, said monolithic open cell member providing a diffuse gas flow path in said regenerator-heat exchanger section, said first plate providing heat transfer from gas flowing through said regenerator-heat exchanger gas flow path to gas flowing through said reformer gas flow path;(d) a burner gas section adjacent to said reformer section on a side of said reformer section opposite to said regenerator-heat exchanger section, said burner gas section being formed from said second plate and a fourth plate, which fourth plate is spaced apart from said second plate, said burner gas section further including a monolithic open cell foam member which is sandwiched between said second and fourth plates, said monolithic open cell foam member providing a diffuse gas flow path in said burner gas section, said second plate providing heat transfer from burner gases flowing through said burner gas flow path to gases flowing through said reformer gas flow path;(e) a gas flow-reversing manifold connecting said reformer gas flow path with said regenerator-heat exchanger gas flow path, said gas flow-reversing manifold being operable to direct a gas stream exiting from said reformer section into said regenerator-heat exchanger section; and(f) an outlet manifold connected to said regenerator-heat exchanger section for removing reformed fuel gas from the assembly.