Abstract: A cogeneration system using a fuel cell includes a gas-mixture-supply passage L supplied with a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; a gas combustor 31 for combusting the gas mixture which has passed through the gas-mixture-supply passage L; a combustion chamber 3 for housing the gas combustor 31; and a power generator 2 disposed on the gas-mixture-supply passage L and having at least one fuel cell that generates power from the gas mixture flowing through the supply passage L. The power generator 2 is located in the combustion chamber 3, so as to be heated by the heat of combustion produced in the combustion chamber 3.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side, an anode tailgas oxidizer for oxidizing an anode exhaust flow from the anode side to produce an oxidized anode exhaust flow, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a first inlet for receiving a cathode exhaust flow from the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, a second inlet for receiving the oxidized anode exhaust flow, and a mixing region for combining the cathode exhaust flow and the oxidized anode exhaust flow to produce a combined exhaust flow. An air flow path for supplying air to the fuel cell stack to support an energy-producing reaction in the fuel cell stack extends through the heat exchanger so that heat is transferred from the combined exhaust flow to the air traveling along the air flow path.

Abstract: A stable and high reliability fuel cell electricity-generating device capable of generating electricity even in the case of sudden drop of load power includes a fuel cell generating electric power from a fuel and an oxidizer, a fuel processor producing fuel to be supplied into the fuel cell from an electricity-generating material, a combustion device combusting a residual fuel gas unconsumed in the fuel cell to raise the temperature of the fuel processor, and an electric power generation instructor determining the electric power generated by the fuel cell, wherein when the electric power generation instructor either decreases or prevents a decrease in the electric power generated by the fuel cell upon a decrease of load power to be supplied, depending on the temperature of the fuel processor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid start-up, auxiliary power, and air preheating device of high temperature fuel cell systems, which comprise of a metal sheet, metal mesh plates, insulated ceramic rings and a direct flame SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) positive electrolyte negative assembly (PEN). The metal mesh plates are used to substitute the electrode plates to collect the current. The ribs between the PEN and the metal mesh plates are also for collecting current, while the ceramic ring is an insulator. This device is able to pre-heat gas rapidly and generates power at the same time, it's costless, easy to assemble, rapid start-up, high electric conductivity, excellent sealing and etc. In addition, it can heat up the fuel cell stack rapidly and start up the system without lag.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell unit (10) includes an annular array (12) of fuel cell stacks (14), an annular cathode recuperator (20), an annular anode recuperator (22), a reformer (24), and an anode exhaust cooler (26), all integrated within a common housing structure (28).

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas using a heat medium before the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack, a reformer for reforming a raw fuel chiefly containing hydrocarbon to produce a fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, a combustor for burning a raw fuel and an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack after consumption in power generation reaction to produce a combustion gas as the heat medium, a casing containing the fuel cell stack, the heat exchanger, the reformer, and the combustor. A combustion gas outlet of the combustor is directly opened to a combustion gas inlet of the fluid unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preheating arrangement in a fuel cell apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus comprising at least a fuel cell unit having an anode side and a cathode side with an electrolyte therebetween, the fuel cell apparatus having at least a fuel inlet to the anode side and an oxygen-containing air inlet to the cathode side as well as a sulphur removal unit and a fuel modifying unit and an afterburner for combustion the exhaust gases from the anode and/or cathode side. According to the invention, the afterburner is provided with a separate fuel inlet channel for introducing fuel to the afterburner during the start-up phase of the fuel cell apparatus and that at least a part of the exhaust gases formed in the combustion of the separately fed fuel is arranged to be directed from the afterburner for heating at least the sulphur removal unit and/or the fuel modifying unit during the start-up phase.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system including a main plate, an inner cylinder attached to the main plate, an intermediate cylinder attached to the main plate such that the intermediate cylinder contains a cathode air stream, and an outer cylinder attached to the main plate. An exhaust annular gap is formed between the intermediate and outer cylinders such that hot exhaust gases flow through the exhaust annular gap and heat is transferred from the hot exhaust gases to the cathode air stream. The solid oxide fuel cell system may also include a two-stage tail gas combustor.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a reformer, and a combustor. A fluid unit including at least the heat exchanger, the evaporator, and the reformer is provided at one end of the fuel cell stack in a stacking direction. The combustor is provided inside the evaporator The combustor has a combustion gas path for discharging a combustion gas produced in the combustor. The reformer is provided at a position in the middle of the combustion gas path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system and method comprising a reformer with a thermal starting device, at least one gas processing stage downstream of the reformer, at least one fuel cell disposed downstream of the gas processing stage and a plurality of bipolar plates, the fuel cell having an inner region of a reaction with anode, cathode and electrolyte, and an outer region with at least one cooling channel permitting a coolant to flow through the cooling channel, wherein the outer region is not in fluid connection with the inner region. Upstream of the fuel cell, the fuel cell system has a switching device, which is switchable between a start-up position and an operating position, wherein in the operating position the product gases from the reformer and/or the thermal starting device are guided to the inner region of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A plurality of integral bundle assemblies contain a top portion with an inlet fuel plenum and a bottom portion containing a base support, the base supports a dense, ceramic air exhaust manifold having four supporting legs, the manifold is below and connects to air feed tubes located in a recuperator zone, the air feed tubes passing into the center of inverted, tubular, elongated, hollow electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells having an open end above a combustion zone into which the air feed tubes pass and a closed end near the inlet fuel plenum, where the open end of the fuel cells rest upon and within a separate combination ceramic seal and bundle support contained in a ceramic support casting, where at least one flexible cushion ceramic band seal located between the recuperator and fuel cells protects and controls horizontal thermal expansion, and where the fuel cells operate in the fuel cell mode and where the base support and bottom ceramic air exhaust manifolds carry from 85% to all of the weight

Abstract: There is provided a power generation system. A chemical reacting section receives a power generation fuel and reforms the power generation fuel to generate a power generation gas containing hydrogen. A power generating section receives the power generation gas, reacts a part of the power generation gas to generate electrical energy, supplies the electrical energy to a load, and discharges an unreacted component in the power generation gas as an off-gas. A heating section receives the off-gas and generates a thermal energy by using the off-gas to heat the chemical reacting section. An output control section controls the amount of electrical energy output from the power generating section. A control section controls the amount of electrical energy output from the power generating section to change a temperature of the chemical reacting section set based on the thermal energy to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell, a first combustor, a first heating gas return channel and a gas supplier. The fuel cell includes a solid electrolyte cell with an anode and a cathode. The fuel cell generates power by reacting a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas. The first combustor selectively supplies a heating gas to the cathode of the fuel cell. The first heating gas return channel mixes at least some exhaust gas discharged from the cathode with the heating gas of the first combustor such that a mixed heating gas of the exhaust gas and the heating gas is supplied to the cathode. The gas supplier connected to the first heating gas return channel for supplying the exhaust gas from the cathode to mix with the heating gas of the first combustor.

Abstract: A multistage combustor is configured for starting a fuel cell system, and includes a partial oxidation (POX) burner having an inlet for receiving a flow of a fuel/oxidant mixture, the POX burner being configured to partially oxidize fuel in the fuel/oxidant mixture to yield a partially oxidized gas; a first output coupled to the fuel cell system and configured to provide a first amount of the partially oxidized gas as first output gas to a first fuel cell system component; a second burner coupled to the POX burner, the second burner being configured to receive a second amount of the partially oxidized gas from the POX burner and to oxidize at least some remaining fuel to yield a second output gas different from the first output gas; and a second output coupled to a second fuel cell system component and configured to provide the second output gas to the second fuel cell system component.

Abstract: A burner (1) for burning a gaseous oxidant with a gaseous fuel, with a combustion chamber (2), in which the combustion reaction takes place during the operation of the burner (2), has a wall structure (4) which defines the combustion chamber (2) on the inlet side and which has oxidant openings (5) for introducing the oxidant into the combustion chamber (2) and fuel openings (6), which are separate therefrom, for introducing the fuel into the combustion chamber (2). The wall structure (4) has an oxidant distributor space (7), which is fluidically connected with the oxidant openings (5) on the outlet side and is fluidically connected with at least one oxidant feed opening (9) on the inlet side, as well as contains a fuel distributor space (8), which is fluidically separated from the oxidant distributor space (7) and is fluidically connected on the outlet side with the fuel openings (6) and is fluidically connected with at least one fuel feed opening (10) on the inlet side.

Abstract: The invention concerns an energy production unit, of electric energy in particular, comprising a fuel cell (1) and a heat source (2) thermally coupled to the fuel cell (1) at least to allow the rise in temperature of this fuel cell (1). According to the invention, it is provided that the heat source (2) comprises a radiating burner (20), that the fuel cell (1) is confined within a thermal insulation enclosure itself heated by the combustion gases (F) derived from the burner (20), and that this unit also comprises temperature regulation means (4) capable of controlling, from around 200° C. to at least 800° C., the temperature of the combustion gases (F) heating the enclosure 3.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing radiative heat transfer in a steam reformer from an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner to an interior reactor via angled fins coupled to the exterior shell. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner and angled fins, the angled fins extending away from an inner surface of the exterior shell and downward toward the diffusion burner. The steam reformer further comprises an interior reactor positioned at least partly within the exterior shell.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell stack and catalytic combustor apparatus includes a fuel cell stack assembly having multiple fuel cell stacks between which is defined a cavity, each of said fuel cell stacks including a plurality of individual fuel cells; and a catalytic combustor disposed at least partially within the cavity, the catalytic combustor having a catalytic bed and a catalytic igniter. Also disclosed are a method of producing electricity including catalytically combusting surplus reactants of the reaction of an oxidant and a fuel across fuel cell stacks within a catalytic combustor disposed between the stacks to normalize the temperature profile along the fuel cell stacks, and a fuel cell system including means for normalizing a temperature profile along a length of a means for conducting an electrochemical reaction using an opposite heat generation temperature profile.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a liquid fuel tank containing a non-sulfur-containing liquid fuel and water; a reformer generating a hydrogen-rich gas from the liquid fuel and water received from the liquid fuel tank; a reformer burner heating the reformer by burning a gaseous fuel received from a gaseous fuel tank, and a fuel cell stack generating electrical energy from the hydrogen-rich gas received from the reformer. The liquid fuel tank is connected to the gaseous fuel tank, and the liquid fuel mixed with water is supplied to the reformer by the pressure of the gaseous fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack. The method can include the acts of combining an exhaust flow from an anode side of the fuel cell stack and an exhaust flow from a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, transferring heat from the combined exhaust flow to a first air flow, and combining a second air flow and the heated first air flow upstream from the fuel cell stack to control a temperature of the combined air flow entering the cathode side of the solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems and methods are described. A method for generating electrical energy in a fuel cell receives hydrogen from a fuel processor configured to process a fuel source to produce the hydrogen, includes transporting a heating medium from the fuel processor to the fuel cell when electrical energy output by the fuel cell includes less than an electrical threshold or when temperature of a component in the fuel cell is less than a temperature threshold, heating a portion of the fuel cell, transporting hydrogen from the fuel processor to the fuel cell, detecting temperature of the component or electrical output of the fuel cell, and generating electrical energy in the fuel cell when the temperature of the component is about equal to or greater than the threshold temperature or when electrical energy output by the fuel cell is about equal to or greater than an electrical threshold.

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: The present invention discloses a fuel cell system that reduces a hydrogen content of anode effluent exhausted by a fuel cell stack without the use of a tail gas combustor. The fuel cell system reduces the hydrogen content in one or more stages to a level suitable for venting to the environment. A first stage reduction is provided by mixing a portion of the cathode effluent with a controlled quantity of the anode effluent in the presence of a catalytic bed. The resulting stream has a reduced hydrogen content which can then be supplied to the cathode inlet side of the fuel cell stack for further hydrogen content reduction. The fuel cell system also provides a storage device to store the anode effluent to minimize pressure fluctuations between the anode and cathode sides of the fuel cell stack during a purging operation.

Abstract: A stable and high reliability fuel cell electricity-generating device capable of generating electricity even in the case of sudden drop of load power. A fuel cell generating electric power from a fuel and an oxidizer, a fuel processor producing fuel to be supplied into the fuel cell from an electricity-generating material, a combustion device combusting a residual fuel gas unconsumed in the fuel cell to raise the temperature of the fuel processor, and an electric power generation instructing means of determining the electric power generated by the fuel cell, wherein when the electric power generation instructing means decreases the electric power generated by the fuel cell depending on the decrease of load power to be supplied, the rate at which the generated electric power is decreased is made different depending on the change of the temperature of the fuel processor.

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: Thermally primed fuel processing assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems that include the same. The thermally primed fuel processing assemblies include at least one hydrogen-producing region housed within an internal compartment of a heated containment structure. In some embodiments, the heated containment structure is an oven. In some embodiments, the compartment also contains a purification region and/or heating assembly. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to heat and maintain the internal compartment at or above a threshold temperature, which may correspond to a suitable hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to maintain this temperature during periods in which the fuel cell system is not producing power and/or not producing power to satisfy an applied load to the system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is adapted to provide backup power to a power source, which may be adapted to power the containment structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1, 100) adapted to be installed on a moving object (V) is provided with an electric power generating element (31, 45) including a fuel cell (31) supplied with fuel gas and oxidizing gas to generate electric power, a warm-up mechanism (21 to 23, 32 to 39, 41 to 50?) enabled to achieve warm up of the electric power generating element, and a controller (13), in response to reception of a control signal transmitted from an external remote operator unit (3) and commanding a start-up completion time at which start-up of the fuel cell system is to be completed through the warm-up of the electric power generating element, controlling the warm-up mechanism to allow the warm-up of at least the electric power generating element to be completed in alignment with the start-up completion time.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a heat exchanger that uses exhaust heat from the fuel cell to heat a fluid; and a control section that estimates the amount of heated fluid that will be consumed and controls an operating temperature of the fuel cell based on the estimated consumption amount of the heated fluid.

Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a fluid supply section, a module section, and an electrical equipment section. A detector, a fuel gas supply apparatus, an oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, and a water supply apparatus are provided in the fluid supply section. A fuel cell module and a combustor are provided in the module section. A power converter and a control device are provided in the electrical equipment section. The module section is interposed between the fluid supply section and the electrical equipment section.

Abstract: Features is a fuel cell system including: a stack consisting of a plurality of unit cells generating electrical energy by means of electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizing agent; a fuel supply connected to the stack through a first connecting line to supply the fuel to the stack; an oxidizing agent supply connected to the stack through a second connecting line to supply the oxidizing agent to the stack; a burner mounted on the second connecting line and generating heat by means of oxidizing catalytic reaction of the fuel and oxidizing agent; a mixing valve mounted on a third connecting line which connects the first connecting line with the second connecting line and supplying the fuel and the oxidizing agent to the burner; and a heater mounted at the burner, generating heat by electricity, and supplying the heat to the burner.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell systems with improved thermal efficiency. The systems include a fuel cell that generates electrical energy using hydrogen and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel. Some heat efficient systems described herein include a thermal catalyst that generates heat when the catalyst interacts with a heating medium. The heat is used to heat the fuel cell. The thermal catalyst may be disposed in proximity to the fuel cell, or remote from the fuel cell and a heat transfer pipe conducts heat from the catalyst to the fuel cell. Another thermally efficient embodiment uses a recuperator to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell system to incoming fuel. A fuel cell package may also include a multi-layer insulation arrangement to decrease heat loss from the fuel cell and fuel processor, which both typically operate at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module contains a plurality of integral bundle assemblies, the module containing a top portion with an inlet fuel plenum and a bottom portion receiving air inlet feed and containing a base support, the base supports dense, ceramic exhaust manifolds which are below and connect to air feed tubes located in a recuperator zone, the air feed tubes passing into the center of inverted, tubular, elongated, hollow electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells having an open end above a combustion zone into which the air feed tubes pass and a closed end near the inlet fuel plenum, where the fuel cells comprise a fuel cell stack bundle all surrounded within an outer module enclosure having top power leads to provide electrical output from the stack bundle, where the fuel cells operate in the fuel cell mode and where the base support and bottom ceramic air exhaust manifolds carry from 85% to all 100% of the weight of the stack, and each bundle assembly has its own control for vertical and horizont

Abstract: A plurality of integral bundle assemblies contain a top portion with an inlet fuel plenum and a bottom portion containing a base support, the base supports a dense, ceramic air exhaust manifold having four supporting legs, the manifold is below and connects to air feed tubes located in a recuperator zone, the air feed tubes passing into the center of inverted, tubular, elongated, hollow electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells having an open end above a combustion zone into which the air feed tubes pass and a closed end near the inlet fuel plenum, where the open end of the fuel cells rest upon and within a separate combination ceramic seal and bundle support contained in a ceramic support casting, where at least one flexible cushion ceramic band seal located between the recuperator and fuel cells protects and controls horizontal thermal expansion, and where the fuel cells operate in the fuel cell mode and where the base support and bottom ceramic air exhaust manifolds carry from 85% to all of the weight

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A power source system comprises: a chemical reaction unit producing a gas for power generation; a generator unit reacting a part of the gas for power generation to generate power, and ejecting unreacted part in the gas for power generation as an offgas; a heating apparatus provided in the chemical reaction unit setting the chemical reaction unit to a predetermined temperature by a heat quantity by a combustion reaction using a combustion component of the offgas and the fuel for combustion; and a controller calculating a quantity of the combustion component in the offgas to control a heat quantity generated by the heating apparatus in order to maintain the predetermined temperature of the chemical reaction unit according to a calculated change of the quantity of the combustion component in the offgas.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a casing containing the fuel cell stack, the heat exchanger, and the reformer. A chamber unit is formed at an end plate of the fuel cell stack. The air heated by the heat exchanger temporarily fills the chamber unit. The heat exchanger and the reformer are directly connected to the chamber unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell module, a heat generation module, and a fuel supplying module is provided. The fuel supplying module supplies a fuel gas to the heat generation module. Heat generated by the fuel gas burned in the heat generation module is used for heating the fuel cell module.

Abstract: The present invention is a simulator used in initial system integration tests of a SOFC to test peripheral components with saved costs by replacing the costly SOFC with the simulator.