Abstract: Fuel cell power systems adapted for use in enclosures such as recreational vehicles include a fuel cell and, optionally, a fuel processor, together with appropriate electronics and balance of plant, that co-generate electricity, heat and water from fuels such as propane. The fuel cell power system supplies such enclosures with electrical power, heat and water.

Abstract: Fuel cell power systems adapted for use in recreational vehicles include a fuel cell and, optionally, a fuel processor, together with appropriate electronics and balance of plant, that co-generate electricity, heat and water from fuels such as propane. The fuel cell power system supplies such a vehicle with electrical power, heat and water.

Abstract: A steam reformer for producing H2 from a low pressure hydrocarbon gas (preferably propane) using an improved gaseous hydrocarbon fuel and steam delivery system comprising two coaxial tubes, an outer tube for delivery of steam which is gradually reduced in diameter to form a truncated conical tip for the outflow of steam around the end of an inner tube for the outflow of gaseous hydrocarbon. The outflow ends of both tubes are positioned in the same plane perpendicular to their axis. The outflow end of the second tube is preferably also gradually reduced in diameter in order to provide higher velocity of gaseous hydrocarbon to be mixed with the steam entering the reformer for optimized yield of hydrogen by optimizing the mixing of the steam and gaseous hydrocarbon in order to optimize the yield of hydrogen for the optimized generation of wattage for the same fuel-cell power generating system.

Abstract: Contaiminated hydrogen gas from a catalytic steam reformer is purified by passing it through a membrane assembly having a metallic membrane sealed between two tubular stainless steel members having perforations (or being formed as screen or mesh) and having an encapsulating chamber around it. Pressure regulating valve means in recycle path of residual gas flowing out of the membrane assembly maintains a constant pressure of contaminated hydrogen gas in the membrane assembly. The purified hydrogen gas may be further purified, if needed, by directing the purified hydrogen gas out of a side tube of the chamber through a second encapsulated membrane assembly that is a replica of the first encapsulated membrane assembly. A directional valve may be selectively set to recycle residual gas out of the first membrane assembly until it is virtually free of hydrogen. Residual gas out of the second membrane assembly approaches being 100% free of hydrogen and may always be exhausted to a burner.

Abstract: A steam reformer for producing H2 from a low pressure hydrocarbon gas (preferably propane) is comprised of a short and narrow cylinder, loosely packed with pelletized catalyst, into which cylinder the low-pressure gas is drawn in by the high-pressure steam that flows from one end of the cylinder to the other, by making the extent that the gas tube protrudes into the cylinder substantially greater than the steam tube, such as by cutting the latter flush with the inside of the end cap. The cogenerated electricity and H2O vapor or liquid at elevated temperature are put into use through a switching converter and heat exchanger, respectively.