IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0407316
(2003-04-04)
|
등록번호 |
US-8354081
(2013-01-15)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Wheat, William Spencer
- Stevens, James F.
- Krause, Curtis L.
- Hedges, Jeffrey A.
- Pow, Eric G.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
11 |
초록
▼
A portable fuel processing apparatus and enclosure including an enclosure having an outer wall that defines an interior space and provides a gas impermeable barrier. Attached to the enclosure is porting means for use in moving the enclosure from one location to another. A fuel reformer capable of pr
A portable fuel processing apparatus and enclosure including an enclosure having an outer wall that defines an interior space and provides a gas impermeable barrier. Attached to the enclosure is porting means for use in moving the enclosure from one location to another. A fuel reformer capable of providing sufficient hydrogen-rich reformate to a fuel cell stack for use in generating at least about 1 kW per hour is disposed within the enclosure. An optional gas detection system includes a sensor disposed within the enclosure to monitor the interior of the enclosure for presence of combustible gases. The portable apparatus can have a number of connectors for connecting the enclosure and the fuel processing systems to a source of a reformer fuel and water as well as a domestic drain. Preferred sources of fuel and water are common utility lines available in buildings. Additional connectors can be provided to couple the fuel processor with a fuel cell, for used in delivering a reformate stream, air stream and circulating cooling medium to a fuel cell and for returning a fuel cell exhaust stream to the enclosure. Moreover, the portable fuel processing apparatus and enclosure can further include connectors for establishing electronic communications with a remote process control unit. A method of installing the portable fuel processing apparatus is also provided.
대표청구항
▼
1. A portable fuel processing apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having an outer wall defining an interior space and providing a gas impermeable barrier that substantially inhibits the passage of gases from the interior space of the enclosure to the external environment;porting means
1. A portable fuel processing apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having an outer wall defining an interior space and providing a gas impermeable barrier that substantially inhibits the passage of gases from the interior space of the enclosure to the external environment;porting means attached to the enclosure wherein said porting means are selected from (1) wheels, rollers, and tracks affixed to a bottom surface of the enclosure and (2) handles, grips, eye hooks affixed to one or more of the side surfaces or top wall of the enclosure;a fuel reformer disposed within the interior space of the enclosure for converting a reformer fuel to a hydrogen-rich reformate gas; anda gas detector, the gas detector comprising a sensor within the interior space of the enclosure to monitor the environment within the enclosure for the presence of a combustible gas in the interior space of the enclosure. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor can detect the presence of hydrogen. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor can detect the presence of methane. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor can detect the presence of carbon monoxide. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, which further comprises a plurality of heat exchanger discharge fans for venting of gases from the interior of the enclosure. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a connector for connecting the enclosure and the fuel reformer with a source of a feedstock or reformer fuel, the source of reformer fuel comprising a natural gas utility line within a building. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a connector for connecting the enclosure and the fuel reformer with a source of water; the source of water comprising a water utility line within a building. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a connector for connecting the enclosure with an external drain within a building. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a connector for connecting the enclosure and the fuel reformer with a fuel cell for use in delivering hydrogen-rich reformate gas to the fuel cell. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the enclosure further comprises a connector for connecting the fuel cell with the enclosure, for use in returning a fuel cell exhaust gas to the enclosure. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an on-board process control unit wherein the enclosure further comprise a connector for establishing electronic communication with a remote process control unit. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel reformer is capable delivering hydrogen-rich reformate to a fuel cell stack in quantities sufficient to generate at least about 1 kW of electricity. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fuel reformer is capable delivering hydrogen-rich reformate to a fuel cell stack in quantities sufficient to generate at least about 3 kW of electricity. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel reformer is capable delivering hydrogen-rich reform ate to a fuel cell stack in quantities sufficient to generate at least about 7.5 kW of electricity. 15. A method of installing a fuel processor, the method comprising the steps of: moving a gas impermeable enclosure to a desired location, the enclosure housing a fuel processor and a gas detector, the gas detector comprising a sensor within the interior space of the enclosure to monitor the environment within the enclosure for the presence of a combustible gas in the interior space of the enclosure and wherein the enclosure has a porting means attached wherein said porting means are selected from (1) wheels, rollers, and tracks affixed to a bottom surface of the enclosure and (2) handles, grips, eye hooks affixed to one or more of the side surfaces or top wall of the enclosure;connecting a source of water to the enclosure;connecting a source of reformer fuel to the enclosure;connecting a fuel cell to the enclosure; andconnecting the enclosure to a domestic drain. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of connecting the enclosure to a source of water comprises connecting the enclosure to a water utility line within a building. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of connecting the enclosure to a source of reformer fuel comprises connecting the enclosure to a natural gas utility line within a building. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of connecting a fuel cell to the enclosure comprises connecting a line between the fuel cell and enclosure for delivering a hydrogen-rich reformate to the fuel cell. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of connecting a fuel cell to the enclosure comprises connecting a line between the fuel cell and enclosure for returning a fuel cell exhaust gas to the enclosure. 20. A method of installing a fuel processor, the method comprising the steps of: moving a gas impermeable enclosure to a desired location, the enclosure housing a fuel processor and a gas detector, the gas detector comprising a sensor within the interior space of the enclosure to monitor the environment within the enclosure for the presence of a combustible gas in the interior space of the enclosure and wherein the enclosure has a porting means attached wherein said porting means are selected from (1) wheels, rollers, and tracks affixed to a bottom surface of the enclosure and (2) handles, grips, eye hooks affixed to one or more of the side surfaces or top wall of the enclosure;connecting a source of water to the enclosure;connecting a source of reformer fuel to the enclosure;connecting a fuel cell to the enclosure; andproviding the enclosure with a communication link with a remote process control unit. 21. A portable fuel processing apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having an outer wall defining an interior space and providing a gas impermeable barrier that substantially inhibits the passage of gases from the interior space of the enclosure to the external environment;porting means attached to the enclosure wherein said porting means are selected from (1) wheels, rollers, and tracks affixed to a bottom surface of the enclosure and (2) handles, grips, eye hooks affixed to one or more of the side surfaces or top wall of the enclosure;a fuel reformer disposed within the interior space of the enclosure for converting a reformer fuel to a hydrogen-rich reformate gas; anda water collection vessel disposed within the enclosure for collecting and degassing water from the fuel reformer for disposal in a domestic drain. 22. A portable fuel processing apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure having an outer wall defining an interior space and providing a gas impermeable barrier that substantially inhibits the passage of gases from the interior space of the enclosure to the external environment;porting means attached to the enclosure wherein said porting means are selected from (1) wheels, rollers, and tracks affixed to a bottom surface of the enclosure and (2) handles, grips, eye hooks affixed to one or more of the side surfaces or top wall of the enclosure;a fuel reformer disposed within the interior space of the enclosure for converting a reformer fuel to a hydrogen-rich reformate gas; andwherein the enclosure comprises a connector for establishing electronic communication with a remote process control unit.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.