Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell system includes a heating source for generating heat by a reaction of a fuel and an oxidant using an oxidizing catalyst, and a reforming reaction part for generating hydrogen by a reforming catalyst reaction. The oxidizing catalyst includes a solid acid, including a strong acid ion and an inorganic oxide, and a platinum-based metal. The reformer for a fuel cell system can start a fuel oxidation catalyst reaction at a low temperature with the heating source having a simplified structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body to generate electrical energy using a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; a reformer to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming fuel and to supply the reformed gas to the fuel cell body; a fuel tank to store the fuel in a partially liquefied state and to supply the fuel to the reformer; a case to encase the fuel cell body and the reformer; and a refrigeration unit attached to the case to store ambient air of the fuel tank, the ambient air of the fuel tank being cooled by latent heat of vaporization of the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided comprising: a reformer for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel; and at least one electricity generator for generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The reformer includes a main body in which a plurality of reaction sections for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel is integrally formed. A heating section is disposed in contact with the main body in order to supply different amounts of thermal energy to the plurality of reaction sections.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte and a thermoelectric converter including the same. A solid electrolyte includes a non-porous layer and a first porous layer on a first surface of the non-porous layer.

Abstract: A unit thermionic electric converter. The unit thermionic electric converter includes a case having a first end portion and a second end portion; a working fluid disposed inside the case; a solid electrolyte dividing the inside of the case; a first electrode disposed on a surface of the solid electrolyte; and a second electrode disposed on another surface of the solid electrolyte; wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are alternately heated by a heat source.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system comprising: a stack for generating electric energy through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen; a reformer for generating hydrogen from fuel through a catalytic reaction of the fuel using thermal energy and for supplying the generated hydrogen to the stack; a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the reformer; and an oxygen supply unit for supplying oxygen to the reformer and the stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a reformer for reforming fuel and generating hydrogen gas. A stack generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen. A fuel supply unit supplies fuel to the reformer. An air supply unit supplies air to the reformer and the stack. The reformer includes a reformation reactor unit for generating the hydrogen gas and a heat-insulating unit including a vacuum area covering the reformation reactor unit and recovering heat generated from the reformation unit.

Abstract: A heater for heating a reformer of a fuel cell system includes a combustion chamber having a combustion catalyst layer; a distributor having an inner space and uniformly distributing a combustion fuel and an oxidant flowing along the inner space to the combustion catalyst layer of the combustion chamber; and an igniter igniting the combustion fuel and the oxidant, wherein the igniter is placed in the inner space of the distributor. Thus, the igniter is protected from combustion heat of the combustion catalyst layer and thus has improved durability.

Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell system has at least a dual pipe configuration that forms independent spaces through which fuel containing hydrogen passes. The reformer includes a first reaction assembly for generating heat energy by an oxidation reaction of the fuel and a second reaction assembly for generating hydrogen gas from the fuel through a reforming reaction using the heat energy. The reformer further includes a first pipe, and a second pipe having a circumference significantly less than a circumference of the first pipe to thereby allow for positioning of the second pipe within the first pipe. An oxidation catalyst layer is formed in the second pipe, and a reforming catalyst layer is formed between the first pipe and the second pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed are a carbon monoxide remover and a fuel cell reformer including the same. In the reformer, a reformed gas produced from a reforming reaction unit when the reformer is initially driven is used as a fuel for a heat source unit supplying heat to a water gas shift reaction unit. The carbon monoxide remover is connected to the reforming reaction unit that changes fuel into reformed gas with hydrogen. The carbon monoxide remover lowers carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas. The carbon monoxide remover includes a heat source unit employing the reformed gas as a fuel; and a water gas shift reaction unit provided with a shift catalyst using heat from the heat source unit. The shift catalyst lowers the concentration of carbon monoxide in the reformed gas through reaction between water and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A fuel reformer including a first pipe, a second pipe which is disposed in the first pipe, a main heat source, which includes an oxidation catalyst, filling the second pipe adapted to generate thermal energy with a predetermined temperature range through an oxidation reaction of a fuel using the oxidation catalyst; an auxiliary heat source which includes a torch connected to the second pipe to ignite and burn the gaseous fuel, thereby preheating the oxidation catalyst to within a reaction starting temperature range, and a reforming reaction unit which includes a reforming catalyst filling a space between the first and second pipes to generate a reforming gas containing hydrogen through the reforming reaction of the fuel using the reforming catalyst by using the thermal energy generated by the main heat source.

Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus which generates a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming a fuel and supplies the reformed gas to a fuel cell body is provided. The fuel reforming apparatus is constructed with a burner which generates a flame by burning the fuel together with the atmospheric air, a reforming reactor which receives thermal energy of the flame and generates the reformed gas through a reforming reaction between the fuel and steam, an evaporator in which a pipeline for allowing the fuel and water to flow is disposed in the direction of the flame sprayed from the burner, with the water being evaporated by using the flame and the fuel and steam being supplied to the reforming reactor, and a spraying unit which is disposed in a direction of the sprayed flame to spray additional air into the evaporator.

Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus includes an oxidation reaction unit in which an oxidation catalyst is formed, a reforming reaction unit in which a reforming catalyst is formed, and an ignition unit for igniting a hydrocarbon-containing fuel and an oxidant and preheating the oxidation catalyst in an early driving stage. The oxidation reaction unit has a first section and a second section respectively formed opposite to each other with the oxidation catalyst interposed therebetween and forms a stream of the fuel and the oxidant flowing to the second section through the oxidation catalyst from the first section, the ignition unit being located in the second section.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a reformer for generating hydrogen gas from fuel containing hydrogen using a chemical catalytic reaction and thermal energy. At least one electricity generator generates electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of the hydrogen gas and oxygen. A fuel supply assembly supplies fuel to the reformer, and an oxygen supply assembly supplies oxygen to the at least one electricity generator. A heat exchanger is connected to the reformer and to the at least one electricity generator. The heat exchanger supplies thermal energy of the reformer, during initial operation of the system, to the at least one electricity generator so as to pre-heat the at least one electricity generator.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a reformer for a fuel cell system prevents backfire and improves efficiency of heat transfer. The fuel cell system includes a reformer generating hydrogen gas from fuel including hydrogen by a catalytic chemical reaction using heat energy, and at least one electricity generating unit generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen. The reformer includes a case, a heat source, and a reforming reaction part. The case forms an external shape. The heat source is disposed in the case to generate heat energy by an oxidation reaction between fuel and a catalyst, and includes a mesh, an oxidation catalyst layer formed on a surface of the mesh, and at least one fuel injection nozzle supplying the fuel to the oxidation catalyst layer. The reforming reaction part is disposed in the case to generate hydrogen gas from fuel using the heat energy generated from the heat source.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises: a fuel container for storing fuel liquefied with pressure; a reformer for generating hydrogen from the fuel through a catalyst reaction based on heat energy; an electric generator for generating electricity by transforming energy of an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen into electric energy; a condenser for condensing water produced in the electric generator; and a heat exchanger passing through the condenser for cooling the condenser by latent heat of the fuel. With this configuration, cooling water cooled by latent heat of a fuel container is employed to cool the condenser without using a separate cooler. Furthermore, air is mixed with butane fuel without using a separate power unit, so that it is possible to achieve a more compact and highly efficient fuel cell.

Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell system includes at least one reaction substrate having a channel for allowing fuel to flow on a surface thereof; and a close contact assembly closely contacted with a surface of the reaction substrate to form a passage by the channel, wherein the reaction substrate includes aluminum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reformer for a fuel cell. The reformer for a fuel cell includes a reforming reactor generating reformed gas having abundant hydrogen gas by reforming fuel and steam and a standing shape of a water gas shift reactor coupled to the reforming reactor for lowering the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas. The water gas shift reactor has an opening. A pipe is coupled to the opening and has a portion located below the opening. Liquid water which may stay in the inside at the time that the operation stops can be drained out of the water gas shift reactor to prevent the water gas shift catalyst from being submerged in liquid water.

Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell including: at least one reaction plate in which a channel is formed on a surface thereof; a cover plate disposed on the surface of the reaction plate; a bonding part which is formed between the reaction plate and the cover plate and which integrally fixes the reaction plate and the cover plate to each other; and a heat processing part which is formed outside the channel and which reduces a contact area between the reaction plate and the cover plate and controls thermal energy supplied to the reaction plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell reforming catalyst includes a platinum-group metal; an inorganic oxide selected from CeO2, Pr6O11, and combinations thereof; a strong acid ion; and a carrier. The fuel cell reforming catalyst has high activity for the reforming reaction at low temperatures and low space velocities.