초록 ▼

A fuel-cell system, particularly a fuel-cell system for a drive system of a motor vehicle, includes an autothermic reformer unit configured to generate hydrogen from a raw material. The hydrogen is used to operate a fuel-cell unit disposed downstream of the reformer unit. An oxidation device configu

A fuel-cell system, particularly a fuel-cell system for a drive system of a motor vehicle, includes an autothermic reformer unit configured to generate hydrogen from a raw material. The hydrogen is used to operate a fuel-cell unit disposed downstream of the reformer unit. An oxidation device configured to convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide is disposed between the reformer unit and the fuel cell unit. A water injection device is disposed in the oxidation device and is configured to inject water into the oxidation device.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for generating electrical energy using a fuel-cell system, comprising the steps of: producing hydrogen from a raw material in a reforming process, a fuel-cell unit of the fuel-cell system being operable in accordance with the produced hydrogen; oxidizing carbon monox

What is claimed is: 1. A method for generating electrical energy using a fuel-cell system, comprising the steps of: producing hydrogen from a raw material in a reforming process, a fuel-cell unit of the fuel-cell system being operable in accordance with the produced hydrogen; oxidizing carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide after the reforming process and upstream of the fuel-cell unit; injecting water during the oxidizing step to supply oxygen to oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide; and based on the oxygen supplied by the injected water, supplying a reduced amount of a supplemental oxygen containing substance for the oxidizing step. 2. A method for generating electrical energy using a fuel-cell system, comprising the steps of: producing hydrogen from a raw material in a reforming process, a fuel-cell unit of the fuel-cell system being operable in accordance with the produced hydrogen; oxidizing carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide after the reforming process and upstream of the fuel-cell unit; injecting water during the oxidizing step to supply oxygen to oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide; and based on the oxygen supplied by the injected water, supplying a reduced amount of a supplemental oxygen containing substance for the oxidizing step; wherein the fuel-cell system includes a drive system of a motor vehicle. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water is injected as one of a vapor and an aerosol. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of supplying compressed air to at least one of a process gas between a carbon monoxide oxidizing unit and the fuel-cell unit and a cathode of the fuel-cell unit. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: separating water from at least one of a cathode-exhaust stream of the fuel-cell unit and an anode-exhaust stream of the fuel-cell unit; and supplying the separated water to the reforming process. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: burning an exhaust gas from an anode of the fuel-cell unit; and supplying waste heat generated by the burning step to the reforming process. 7. A method for generating electrical energy using a fuel-cell system, comprising the steps of: producing hydrogen from a raw material in a reforming process, a fuel-cell unit of the fuel-cell system being operable in accordance with the produced hydrogen; oxidizing carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide after the reforming process and upstream of the fuel-cell unit; injecting water during the oxidizing step to supply oxygen to oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide; based on the oxygen supplied by the injected water, supplying a reduced amount of a supplemental oxygen containing substance for the oxidizing step; burning the raw material; and supplying heat energy generated by the raw material burning step to the reforming process. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the raw material includes a hydrogen-containing substance. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the hydrogen-containing substance includes at least one of methanol and gasoline.