Abstract: An electric power generation system incorporates one or more liquid feed fuel cells, and includes a removable and replaceable fuel cartridge module for storing, delivering and receiving a vaporizable liquid fuel such as aqueous formic acid. The system also includes a fuel delivery module, a fuel cell module, an exhaust module including a vapor cell for consuming unreacted vaporous fuel and a recycle liquid fuel stream, a moisture management module, and a power management module. In operation, a recycle liquid fuel stream is directed back to the fuel delivery module, and vaporous fuel in the fuel cell anode exhaust stream is converted in the vapor cell to substantially benign reaction products. The vapor cell exhaust stream is then directed through a filter in the fuel cartridge module, where residual vaporous fuel is trapped and a benign exhaust stream is discharged from the cartridge module.

Abstract: A fuel cell electric power generation system includes an electric power generation subsystem, a fuel processing subsystem including a furnace, an oxidant subsystem, a water circulation subsystem, and a temperature control subsystem. Interactions between the subsystems are simplified and component integration improves thermal and electrical efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, a reformer, a fuel stream humidifier and a heat exchanger are disposed within the furnace, with the humidifier outlet fluidly connected to the reformer inlet and the heat exchanger outlet fluidly connected to a desulfurizer located outside of the furnace. The fuel processing subsystem can also include a shift reactor that exchanges heat with a cathode exhaust stream directed to the shift reactor from the power generation subsystem. After passing through the shift reactor, the cathode exhaust stream is preferably directed to the furnace burner.

Abstract: In a system and method for accurately calculating a steam-carbon ratio in a steam reformer or the like, a level control device operates a control valve to maintain the water in the steam reformer at a substantially constant level. A meter upstream of the heat exchanger measures the amount of water entering the heat exchanger. With a reading from that meter, the steam-carbon ratio at the reformer can be accurately counted. In another embodiment of the present invention, a process gas inlet incorporates an elongated body extending at least partially through the process portion of the heat exchanger. Openings spaced apart along the length of the body distribute the process gas along the length of the heat exchanger. In still another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of dividers is spaced apart along a width of the process portion of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel cell electric power generation system comprises an electric power generation subsystem, a fuel processing subsystem, an oxidant subsystem, a water circulation subsystem, and a temperature control subsystem. The improved system employs a novel arrangement of components that provides improved interaction between the subsystems while also simplifying the apparatus by integrating components to provide improved thermal and electrical efficiency. The fuel processing subsystem preferably comprises a furnace for providing heat to a plurality of components disposed within the furnace. In one embodiment, a reformer, a fuel stream humidifier, and a heat exchanger are all disposed within the furnace vessel, with the outlet of the humidifier fluidly connected to the inlet of the reformer and the outlet of the heat exchanger fluidly connected to a desulfurizer located external to the furnace.

Abstract: A fuel cell electric power generation system comprises an electric power generation subsystem, a fuel processing subsystem, an oxidant subsystem, a water circulation subsystem, and a temperature control subsystem. The improved system employs a novel arrangement of components which provides improved interaction between the subsystems while also simplifying the apparatus by integrating components to provide improved thermal and electrical efficiency. The fuel processing subsystem preferably comprises a furnace for providing heat to a plurality of components disposed within the furnace. In one embodiment, a reformer, a fuel stream humidifier, and a heat exchanger are all disposed within the furnace vessel, with the outlet of the humidifier fluidly connected to the inlet of the reformer and the outlet of the heat exchanger fluidly connected to a desulfurizer located external to the furnace.