Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell vehicular power plant. Fuel for the fuel stack is supplied by a hydrocarbon (methanol) catalytic cracking reactor and CO shift reactor. A water electrolysis subsystem is associated with the stack. During low power operation part of the fuel cell power is used to electrolyze water with hydrogen and oxygen electrolysis products being stored in pressure vessels. During peak power intervals, viz, during acceleration or start-up, pure oxygen and pure hydrogen from the pressure vessel are supplied as the reaction gases to the cathodes and anodes in place of air and methanol reformate. This allows the fuel cell stack to be sized for normal low power/air operation but with a peak power capacity several times greater than that for normal operation.

Abstract: A water/gas separator for individual cells of an H.sub.2 /O.sub.2 fuel cell battery includes porous hydrophilic discs which transport water but block passage of the oxidant gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a methanol-to-hydrogen cracking reactor for use with a fuel cell vehicular power plant. The system is particularly designed for rapid start-up of the catalytic methanol cracking reactor after an extended shut-down period, i.e., after the vehicular fuel cell power plant has been inoperative overnight. Rapid system start-up is accomplished by a combination of direct and indirect heating of the cracking catalyst. Initially, liquid methanol is burned with a stoichiometric or slightly lean air mixture in the combustion chamber of the reactor assembly. The hot combustion gas travels down a flue gas chamber in heat exchange relationship with the catalytic cracking chamber transferring heat across the catalyst chamber wall to heat the catalyst indirectly. The combustion gas is then diverted back through the catalyst bed to heat the catalyst pellets directly.

Abstract: A variable firing rate burner with a throttle valve assembly that regulates fuel and air intake while maintaining a substantially constant fuel/air ratio over a wide fuel/air flow rate range. The throttle valve assembly includes a pivotally mounted throttle plate that seats on an input manifold, the throttle plate being moved by a driver between low and high firing rate positions. Fuel and air are drawn through the throttle valve assembly and into a mixing chamber by a blower and directed to a flameholder where ignition occurs.