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System and method for controlling the operation of a fuel processing system

  • US 6,811,908 B2
  • Filed: 05/03/2002
  • Issued: 11/02/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A fuel processing system, comprising:

  • a feed assembly adapted to deliver water and a carbon-containing feedstock to a fuel processor;

    a fuel processor adapted to receive a feed stream containing the carbon-containing feedstock and water, wherein the fuel processor comprises;

    a reforming region, in which a reformate stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases is produced by reforming the feed stream; and

    a separation region that includes at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and in which a product hydrogen stream is formed from a portion of the reformate stream that passes through the at least one hydrogen-selective membrane;

    a fuel cell stack that is adapted to receive an oxygen-containing stream and at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream and to produce an electric current therefrom; and

    a control system that is adapted to regulate and control the operation of the fuel processing system responsive at least in part to inputs from a sensor assembly that includes at least one sensor adapted to measure an operating parameter of the fuel processing system, wherein the control system is adapted to automatically transition the fuel processing system between selected ones of a plurality of operating states responsive at least in part to inputs from the sensor assembly, and further wherein the plurality of operating states includes a running state in which the product hydrogen stream is produced by the fuel processor and at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream is delivered to the fuel cell stack, and an idle state in which the fuel processor is maintained at an operating temperature and an operating pressure for reforming the feed stream, but no more of the product hydrogen stream is delivered to the fuel cell stack than is required to operate the fuel processing system in the idle state.

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