Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and heating the vaporized liquid to an elevated temperature. The apparatus has a heat transfer wall having an outer surface for receiving heat and transferring the heat to an inner surface. A wick material is disposed so that a portion of the wick material is in contact with the inner surface and another portion is remote from the heat transfer wall. A wick support in contact with the wick material opposite the inner surface of the heat transfer wall provides structural support to the wick material and further provides a path for vaporized liquid to flow from the wick material. Vaporizable liquid is delivered to the portion of the wick material that is remote from the heat transfer wall and is allowed to migrate to the portion that is in contact with the inner surface. Heat from the inner surface converts the liquid to a vaporized liquid. Optionally, a gaseous fuel may be introduced into the wick support for pre-heating and mixing with the vaporized liquid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steam reforming a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon fuel, such as a diesel hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus includes a desulphurization unit, a pre-reformer, and a steam reforming unit. A carbon dioxide fixing material is present in the steam reforming catalyst bed to fix carbon dioxide that is produced by the reforming reaction. The carbon dioxide fixing material is an alkaline earth oxide, a doped alkaline earth oxide or a mixture thereof. The fixing of carbon dioxide within the steam reforming catalyst bed creates an equilibrium shift in the steam reforming reaction to produce more hydrogen and less carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide fixed in the catalyst bed can be released by heating the carbon dioxide fixing material or catalyst bed to a temperature in excess of the steam reforming temperature. Fuel processors having multiple catalyst beds and methods and apparatus for generating electricity utilizing such fuel processors in conjunction with a fuel cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer overlaying the support member. Overlaying the substrate layer is a first thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the dissociation of H.sub.2 to 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.31 . Overlaying the first catalyst layer is a metallic oxide layer capable of conducting 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer is a second thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the recombination of 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.31 to H.sub.2.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) which provides hydrogen to the fuel cell. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, an anode supply region, and a mixed ion conductor membrane or metal or metal alloy membrane layer separating the autothermal reforming region from the reformer anode supply region. An anode gas loop, located between an anode supply region of the EATR and an anode compartment or section of the fuel cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas between the two regions. The carrier gas ensures proper control of partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the fuel cell is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the power plant.

Abstract: A hydrogen production plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) that provides hydrogen to an electrochemical hydrogen compressor. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a mixed ion conductor membrane or metal or metal alloy membrane, and an anode supply region. An anode gas loop between the anode supply region of the EATR and anode section of the electrochemical hydrogen compressor cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas therebetween. The carrier gas ensures proper partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the electrochemical hydrogen compressor is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the combined system.

Abstract: An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer overlaying the support member. Overlaying the substrate layer is a first thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the dissociation of H.sub.2 to 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.-. Overlaying the first catalyst layer is a metallic oxide layer capable of conducting 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer is a second thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the recombination of 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- to H.sub.2.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system including an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a membrane and electrode structure. This structure has an anode surface with a plurality of anodes in a side-by-side arrangement exposed to the anode compartment and a cathode surface with a plurality of cathodes in a side-by-side arrangement exposed to the cathode compartment. The anodes and cathodes are separated by a layer of ion exchange polymer and register with each other so that opposing pairs of anodes and cathodes form cells. The membrane and electrode structure further includes a plurality of current collector screens. The current collector screens have an anode contact area in contact with the anode, a cathode contact area in contact with the cathode and a feed through area extending between cells and crossing from the anode contact area to the cathode contact area to connect the anode and cathode of adjacent cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformed (EATR) which provides hydrogen to the fuel cell. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, an anode supply region, and a mixed ion conductor or membrane layer separating the autothermal reforming region from the reformer anode supply region. An anode gas loop, located between an anode supply region of the EATR and an anode compartment or section of the fuel cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas between the two regions. The carrier gas ensures proper control of partial pressure of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the fuel cell is exploited by heat exchanger which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the power plant.

Abstract: An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer overlaying the support member. Overlaying the substrate layer is a first thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the dissociation of H.sub.2 to 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.-. Overlaying the first catalyst layer is a metallic oxide layer capable of conducting 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer is a second thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the recombination of 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- to H.sub.2.

Abstract: A hydrogen production plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) that provides hydrogen to an electrochemical hydrogen compressor. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a mixed ion conductor, and an anode supply region. The mixed ion conductor separates the autothermal reformer region from the anode supply region. An anode gas loop between the anode supply region of the EATR and anode section of the electrochemical hydrogen compressor cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas therebetween. The carrier gas ensures proper partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the electrochemical hydrogen compressor is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the combined system.

Abstract: A membrane and electrode structure is formed by applying ink of catalytically active particles on the surface of the membrane. The electrode ink comprises:(a) catalytically active particles;(b) a hydrocarbon having at least one ether, epoxy or ketone linkage and an alcohol group, preferably 1 methoxy 2 propanol; and(c) optionally, perfluorinated sulfonyl fluoride polymer or perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle or heat pump employing an electrochemical compressor. The cycle uses a working fluid at least one component of which is electrochemically active. Another component of the working fluid is condensable. In one embodiment, the electrochemically active component is hydrogen and the condensable component is water. The electrochemical compressor raises the pressure of the working fluid and delivers it to a condenser where the condensable component is precipitated by heat exchange with a sink fluid. The working fluid is then reduced in pressure in a thermal expansion valve. Subsequently, the low pressure working fluid is delivered to an evaporator where the condensed phase of the working fluid is boiled by heat exchange with a source fluid. The evaporator effluent working fluid may be partially in the gas phase and partially in the liquid phase when it is returned from the evaporator to the electrochemical compressor.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized reactants in the cells. In one embodiment air is the oxidant and is compressed in a compressor driven by a turbine. The turbine is powered by waste energy produced in the power plant in the form of a hot pressurized gaseous medium. For example, effluent gases from both the anode and cathode sides of the cells is delivered into the turbine which in turn drives the compressor. In a preferred embodiment the effluent gases from the anode side of the cells is first delivered into a burner for providing heat to a steam reforming reactor, and the effluent gases from the burner are delivered into the turbine. In another embodiment, in addition to effluent gases delivered from the anode side of the cells into the burner, a portion of the effluent gases from the anode side of the cells is also delivered into the steam reforming reactor to provide steam for the fuel processing.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized air and fuel in the cells. A compressor is driven by a turbine operably connected thereto and provides compressed air to the cells. The turbine is driven by a working fluid in a hot, pressurized, vapor state. Energy to convert the working fluid into this state is waste energy produced by the power plant, such as stack waste heat. In one embodiment the power plant includes a steam reforming reactor and a reactor burner. Effluent gases from the anode side of the cell are used in the reactor burner. The working fluid is water and the turbine is driven by steam which is condensed to the liquid state after passing through the turbine. The liquid water is reconverted to steam by passing it into heat exchange relationship with the stack and it is then delivered again into the turbine. Part of the steam may be used in the steam reforming reactor.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized air and fuel in the cells. The power plant includes an autothermal reactor for processing the fuel and a compressor driven by a turbine for compressing the air used by the fuel cells. Pressurized effluent gases from the cathode side of the cell and pressurized fuel is delivered into the autothermal reactor and from the reactor passes into the anode side of the cells. Effluent gases from the anode side of the cells is delivered into the turbine thereby driving the compressor. A burner is used to increase the temperature of the gases entering the turbine. The burner is run on air and unburned fuel in the effluent gases from the anode side of the cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized air and fuel in the cells. The air is compressed by compressor apparatus powered by waste energy in the form of hot pressurized gases including hot pressurized steam produced by the power plant. In one embodiment the compressor apparatus includes a turbine operably connected to a compressor, and hot pressurized gases produced by the power plant flow into the turbine thereby driving the compressor. The steam is generated by heat from the fuel cells, passes through the fuel cells adjacent the cathode electrode thereof, and is delivered into the turbine along with the other gases.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized reactants in the cells. The air is compressed by compressor apparatus which is powered by waste energy produced by the power plant in the form of a hot pressurized gaseous medium, such as the exhaust gases from the cathode side of the cells. For example, the compressor apparatus may comprise a compressor and a turbine which are operably connected. The exhaust gases from the cathode side of the cell are delivered into the turbine which drives the compressor for compressing the air delivered to the cells.