Regenerating Reactant From A Reaction Product Patents (Class 429/417)
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Publication number: 20110135973Abstract: A fuel cartridge includes a plurality of chambers and a plurality of supply devices. Each of the chambers is capable of storing a first reactant. The supply devices are respectively corresponding to the chambers; and each of the supply devices is capable of supplying a second reactant to the corresponding chamber so that the second reactant reacts with the first reactant in the corresponding chamber to generate hydrogen gas. In addition, a fuel cell system using the fuel cartridge and a power management method thereof are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: YOUNG GREEN ENERGY CO.Inventors: Cheng Wang, Nien-Hui Hsu, Po-Kuei Chou
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Patent number: 7951349Abstract: A method and system for storing and generating hydrogen. The method comprises generating hydrogen and heat from the reaction of a metal or metal compound with water. The heat generated from this reaction may then be converted to other forms of energy such as by passing the heat through a thermal electric device to recover electrical energy for storage in a battery. In an alternative and preferred embodiment, the heat is used to drive additional reactions for generating more hydrogen and is preferably used to drive an endothermic dehydrogenation reaction resulting in increased hydrogen generation and consumption of the heat.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: The California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Andrew Kindler, Sri R. Narayanan, Yuhong Huang
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Publication number: 20110111314Abstract: Processes and systems for operating molten carbonate fuel cell systems are described herein. A process for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell system includes providing a hydrogen-containing stream comprising molecular hydrogen to an anode portion of a molten carbonate fuel cell; controlling a flow rate of the hydrogen-containing stream to the anode such that molecular hydrogen utilization in the anode is less than 50%; mixing anode exhaust comprising molecular hydrogen from the molten carbonate fuel cell with a hydrocarbon stream comprising hydrocarbons, contacting at least a portion of the mixture of anode exhaust and the hydrocarbon stream with a catalyst to produce a steam reforming feed; separating at least a portion of molecular hydrogen from the steam reforming feed; and providing at least a portion of the separated molecular hydrogen to the molten carbonate fuel cell anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Jingyu Cui, Erik Edwin Engwall, John William Johnston, Mahendra Ladharam Joshi, Scott Lee Wellington
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Patent number: 7927750Abstract: A heater has microchannels for uniform heating, and includes an upper plate having an inlet of material to be heated, a fuel inlet and an oxidant inlet. A lower plate has a heated material outlet and an exhaust gas outlet. A plurality of combustion thin plates and a plurality of heat transfer thin plates are alternately layered between the upper and lower plates. Each of the combustion thin plates and the heat transfer thin plates has an inlet hole of material to be heated, a heated material outlet hole, an oxidant hole, an exhaust gas hole, a fuel hole, and microchannels formed at respective corresponding positions. The upper plate is aligned with the combustion thin plate contacting the lower surface thereof, and the lower plate is aligned with the heat transfer thin plate contacting the upper surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy ResearchInventors: Jong-Soo Park, Wang-Lai Yoon, Ho-Tae Lee, Heon Jung, Sung-Ho Cho, Shin-Kun Lee, Kun-Hoo Lee, Seung-Hoon Choi
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Publication number: 20110070506Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a rechargeable electrochemical cell system for generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The cell system comprises N electrochemical cells each comprising a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, a charging electrode, and an ionically conductive medium communicating the electrodes, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two. Any number of cells may be used. The cell system includes a plurality of switches that are switcheable to a discharge mode coupling the oxidant electrode of each cell to the fuel electrode of the subsequent cell, a charge mode coupling the charging electrode of each cell to the fuel electrode of the subsequent cell, and a bypass mode coupling charging electrode or the oxidant electrode of a previous cell to the fuel electrode of a subsequent cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Grant FRIESEN
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Patent number: 7901815Abstract: A power generator has a hydrogen flow path through which moisture is induced to flow to a hydrogen-containing fuel that reacts with the moisture to produce hydrogen. The moisture passes to the hydrogen flow path through a water exchange membrane from a water vapor flow path. A fuel cell between the hydrogen flow path and the water vapor flow path reacts with the hydrogen in the hydrogen flow path to produce electricity, and to also principally produce the moisture in the water vapor flow path.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Roland A. Wood
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Patent number: 7901816Abstract: A waterless power generator, particularly a waterless electrical power generator and a passively controlled process for producing electricity with a fuel cell using stoichiometric amounts of a solid hydrogen fuel and byproduct water vapor produced by the fuel cell to generate hydrogen gas. A fuel cell reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces electrical energy as well as by-product water which diffuses back into the power generator as water vapor to react with the hydrogen fuel, producing more hydrogen gas. This generated hydrogen gas is then used as a fuel which allows the fuel cell to generate additional electrical power and additional water. The process runs without any attached water source or water supply other than the water which is produced by the fuel cells themselves.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2005Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Roland A. Wood
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Patent number: 7897285Abstract: A fuel cell system including a gas recycling and re-pressurizing assembly. In one embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, the stack having an oxygen outlet and an oxygen inlet. The fuel cell system additionally includes two gas/water separator tanks, each of the tanks containing a quantity of water and a quantity of oxygen gas. Both tanks are capable of being fluidly connected to either the oxygen inlet or the oxygen outlet of the fuel cell stack. In addition, the two tanks are connected to one another so that water may be transferred back and forth between the two tanks. The system also includes a pump for transferring water back and forth between the tanks.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Timothy J. Norman, Cecelia C. Cropley, Monjid Hamdan, Jason M. Willey
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Patent number: 7897292Abstract: Fuel cells having an efficient means of thermal insulation such that all of the components requiring high temperature operation are contained within a single housing and whereby such thermal insulation is disposed exterior to such housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Lilliputian Systems, Inc.Inventors: Samuel B. Schaevitz, Aleksander Franz, Roger Barton, Alan Ludwiszewski
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Patent number: 7892685Abstract: A multi-unit fuel cell system that includes a common-use reforming unit configured to supply hydrogen to multiple fuel cell units that are installed in multiple units, such as apartments within an apartment building. In one example embodiment, a fuel cell system including a common-use reforming unit and multiple fuel cell units is disclosed. The common-use reforming unit is configured to supply hydrogen to the plurality of fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit includes a stack unit, an air supplying unit, an integral heat exchange unit, a hot-water supplying unit, an auxiliary heat supplying unit, and an electric output unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Myung-Seok Park, Yong-Jun Hwang, Seung-Tae Ko, Jung-Gyu Park, Seong-Geun Heo, Ki-Dong Kim, Tae-Won Kim, Sung-Nam Ryoo, Sun-Hoe Kim, Bon-Gwan Gu, Hyung-Kyu Youk, Hyun-Jae Lee, Gil-Yong Lee, Jun-Seong Park, Sun-Gu Kwon, Byung-Tak Park, Sang-Heon Lee, Geun-Ho Jin
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Publication number: 20110039171Abstract: A closed loop energy storage system configured with a hydrogen tank, an oxygen tank, a fuel cell stack and an electrolyzer. A heat exchanger freeze-dries the hydrogen and oxygen prior to their storage in their respective tanks. The heat exchanger also uses excess fuel cell heat to preheat streams of hydrogen and oxygen coming from the tanks. Phase separators serve both to separate water from hydrogen and oxygen, and to store the water. A thermal management system encloses all the system components except the tanks. An airfoil-shaped shell covers the system, and the larger of the two tanks extends substantially across the shell at its point of greatest camber thickness. The tanks are composed of polymer liners integral with composite shells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Bart D. Hibbs, William M. Parks, Omourtag A. Velev
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Publication number: 20110039170Abstract: The present invention concerns a fuel cell comprising a cathode in a cathode region of the cell and an anode in an anode region of the cell, the cathode being separated from the anode by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane, the cathode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an oxidant and a liquid low molecular weight fuel wherein at least some of the liquid low molecular weight fuel in use crosses the polymer electrolyte membrane to supply the anode region of the cell with liquid low molecular weight fuel, the cell being provided with means for generating an electrical circuit between the cathode and the anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: ACAL ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Martin Creeth, Emma Farndon
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Patent number: 7887961Abstract: A unit consisting of a fuel cell, provided with a first ion-exchange membrane, and an electrolysis cell, equipped with a second ion-exchange membrane, capable of operating as an electrochemical hydrogen pump in which the electrolysis cell sucks in the discharge gas of the fuel cell anodic compartment which contains hydrogen as the main component, ionizes the hydrogen on a suitable anodic catalyst, sends the so formed protons across the second ion-exchange membrane to a suitable cathodic catalyst where the protons are reconverted to hydrogen which is mixed to the fuel cell hydrogen feed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe S.R.L.Inventor: Daniele Facchi
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Publication number: 20110027672Abstract: A waterless power generator, particularly a waterless electrical power generator and a passively controlled process for producing electricity with a fuel cell using stoichiometric amounts of a solid hydrogen fuel and byproduct water vapor produced by the fuel cell to generate hydrogen gas. A fuel cell reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces electrical energy as well as by-product water which diffuses back into the power generator as water vapor to react with the hydrogen fuel, producing more hydrogen gas. This generated hydrogen gas is then used as a fuel which allows the fuel cell to generate additional electrical power and additional water. The process runs without any attached water source or water supply other than the water which is produced by the fuel cells themselves.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Roland A. Wood
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Publication number: 20110027671Abstract: A redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a catholyte solution comprising a modified ferrocene species comprising at least one bridging unit between the cyclopentadienyl rings, the modified ferrocene species being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: ACAL ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Kathryn Knuckey, David Rochester
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Patent number: 7879500Abstract: An oxidizer assembly provided with a housing having a plurality of inlets each for receiving a different gas and a plurality of outlets each corresponding to a different one of the inlets and outputting gas resulting from the gas received from its corresponding inlet. A catalyst assembly able to support gas flow therethrough is disposed within the housing and includes a catalyst able to oxidize carbon monoxide gas and to be regenerated. The catalyst assembly is further adapted to be movable such that successive parts of the assembly are able to be brought repeatedly in communication with a first inlet and its corresponding first outlet and then a second inlet and its corresponding second outlet of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 7858246Abstract: A gas-liquid separation system includes a housing at which a gas inlet and a gas outlet are provided; a separation pipe contained in the housing; a separation membrane provided in the separation pipe; and a pump configured to inject a gas into the housing through the gas inlet from an outside of the housing to the gas outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takuya Hongo, Takahiro Suzuki, Atsushi Sadamoto, Kei Matsuoka, Norihiro Tomimatsu, Motoi Goto
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Patent number: 7858244Abstract: A fuel cell that uses alcohol as a fuel and including an electrolyte, and an anode and a cathode that are disposed across the electrolyte. The anode of the fuel cell contains a first particle that catalyzes the degradation of alcohol, and a second particle that catalyzes the degradation of aldehyde.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Yusuke Kuzushima
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Patent number: 7842424Abstract: A reaction vessel that integrates and balances an endothermic process with at least one exothermic process of the fuel cell system. Preferably the exothermic process is conducted in stages to provide more uniform and/or controllable heat generation and exchange, and to produce a uniform and/or controllable temperature profile in the endothermic reaction process. The invention allows for the elimination of the working fluid loop of prior art systems that had unsatisfactory response times at startup, and during transient conditions, and also added to the overall mass and volume of the fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: William Henry Pettit
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Patent number: 7833668Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel inlet stream into a fuel cell stack, operating the fuel cell stack to generate electricity and a hydrogen containing fuel exhaust stream, separating at least a portion of hydrogen contained in the fuel exhaust stream using a cascaded electrochemical hydrogen pump, such as a high temperature, low hydration ion exchange membrane cell stack having at least two membrane cells arranged in process fluid flow series, and providing the hydrogen separated from the fuel exhaust stream into the fuel inlet stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Arne Watson Ballantine, James F. McElroy
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Patent number: 7811712Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel cell system according to the invention comprising; a material gas feeder (1); a reformer (3); a fuel cell (4); a combustor (5); communication passages (6A-6E); and a controller (20), wherein during a shutdown period of the fuel cell (4), the controller (20) determines whether the fuel cell system is in a normal condition where a shutdown operation of the fuel cell (4) is performed; and wherein if the controller (20) determines that the fuel cell system is not in the normal condition, the controller (20) controls the material gas feeder (1) to execute a material gas feed process before a next ignition of the combustor (5), the material gas feed process being performed such that the material gas is supplied to a hydrogen-containing gas flow path constituted by the reformer (3) and the communication passages (6A-6E) located between the reformer (3) and the combustor (5).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Ueda, Hideo Ohara, Akinari Nakamura
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Publication number: 20100233796Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell configured to generate electric power with a fuel gas and an oxygen gas fed to the fuel cell and to discharge exhaust gas including CO2 as a result of generating the electric power; a CO extraction part configured to reduce the CO2 in the exhaust gas fed to the CO extraction part to CO, the CO extraction part including a processing container fed with the exhaust gas and a CO2 adsorbing member provided in the processing container and formed of an oxide having an oxygen deficiency; and a CO recycling part configured to feed the extracted CO to the fuel cell as part of the fuel gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Kazuaki KURIHARA, John David Baniecki, Masatoshi Ishii
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Patent number: 7785746Abstract: A fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and an ion exchange membrane is supplied by hydrogen fuel through an anode fuel delivery conduit. A recirculation loop is provided to recycle gases in the fuel delivery conduit to a mixing point where a controlled flow rate of fuel is supplied and mixed therewith. Any oxidant species remaining in the fuel delivery conduit are thereby combusted in a controlled manner to avoid damage to the fuel cell membrane-electrode assembly. Small quantities of oxidant may be deliberately introduced into the fuel delivery conduit to generate water vapor and heat to pre-condition the fuel delivered to the anode. Such preconditioning assists in hydration control of the membrane, and temperature control of the membrane-electrode assembly for optimum fuel cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Philip J. Mitchell, Paul L. Adcock