Fuel cell system with integrated fuel processor
First Claim
1. A system for powering a marine vessel with a fuel cell, the marine vessel including an electric propulsion mechanism, the system comprising:
- a. an auto thermal reactor adapted to receive a fuel source and to convert the fuel source into a mixture including hydrogen and one or more other components;
b. a water-gas shift reactor coupled to the auto thermal reactor and adapted to concentrate the hydrogen from the one or more other components;
c. an oxygen membrane separator to concentrate oxygen from an oxygen source and reduce the concentration of nitrogen in the fuel processor system;
d. a hydrogen membrane separator to concentrate and purify the hydrogen produced in the auto thermal reactor and the water-gas shift reactor; and
e. a fuel cell arranged to receive the hydrogen and the oxygen and generate electricity therefrom, wherein the fuel cell is couplable to the electric propulsion mechanism of the marine vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell system with fuel processor for integration with a marine vessel propulsion system. The system includes an auto thermal reactor that is the fuel processor for producing hydrogen from a fuel source. The fuel source is preferably ethanol or biodiesel or a mixture thereof, but can also be a sulfur containing fuel like petrodiesel of JP-8. The system further includes a gas-water shift reactor for further production and concentration of the hydrogen from the auto thermal reactor output. The system also includes a hydrogen permeable membrane separator for generating suitable quantities of essentially pure hydrogen to the fuel cell. The system also includes an oxygen permeable membrane separator for concentrating oxygen and reducing nitrogen to improve the partial pressure of hydrogen in subsequent fuel processing steps. The system contemplates the use of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The system minimizes preheating of catalysts or other components to the extent just needed to initiate the fuel processor. To that end, heat sources and sinks of the system and associated usage systems are matched so as to minimize heat collection, storage and distribution systems. Water is recycled within the system to the extent necessary to maintain a water balance in the fuel processor and the fuel cell stack(s). The system includes cooling of the fuel cell stack(s) and integrated heat recovery with exothermic and endothermic catalysts. The fuel processor/fuel cell system components are configured to conform to and take advantage of the available space and limitations, such as the space constraints and opportunities associated with a marine vessel.
74 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for powering a marine vessel with a fuel cell, the marine vessel including an electric propulsion mechanism, the system comprising:
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a. an auto thermal reactor adapted to receive a fuel source and to convert the fuel source into a mixture including hydrogen and one or more other components;
b. a water-gas shift reactor coupled to the auto thermal reactor and adapted to concentrate the hydrogen from the one or more other components;
c. an oxygen membrane separator to concentrate oxygen from an oxygen source and reduce the concentration of nitrogen in the fuel processor system;
d. a hydrogen membrane separator to concentrate and purify the hydrogen produced in the auto thermal reactor and the water-gas shift reactor; and
e. a fuel cell arranged to receive the hydrogen and the oxygen and generate electricity therefrom, wherein the fuel cell is couplable to the electric propulsion mechanism of the marine vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for powering a marine vessel with a fuel cell, the marine vessel including an electric propulsion mechanism, the system comprising:
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a. an auto thermal reactor adapted to receive a fuel source and to convert the fuel source into a mixture including hydrogen and one or more other components;
b. a water-gas shift reactor coupled to the auto thermal reactor and adapted to concentrate the hydrogen from the one or more other components;
c. a hydrogen membrane separator to concentrate and purify the hydrogen produced in the auto thermal reactor and the water-gas shift reactor; and
d. a fuel cell arranged to receive the hydrogen from the hydrogen membrane separator, to receive oxygen, and to generate electricity therefrom, wherein the fuel cell is couplable to the electric propulsion mechanism of the marine vessel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A system for powering a marine vessel with a fuel cell, the marine vessel including an electric propulsion mechanism, the system comprising:
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a. an auto thermal reactor adapted to receive a fuel source and to convert the fuel source into a mixture including hydrogen and one or more other components;
b. a first water-gas shift reactor coupled to the auto thermal reactor and adapted to concentrate the hydrogen from the one or more other components;
c. a secondary water-gas shift reactor coupled to the first water-gas shift reactor to purify the hydrogen produced in the auto thermal reactor and the first water-gas shift reactor; and
d. a fuel cell arranged to receive the hydrogen from the secondary water-gas shift reactor, to receive oxygen, and to generate electricity therefrom, wherein the fuel cell is couplable to the electric propulsion mechanism of the marine vessel. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification