Mixture formation means for a reformer of a fuel cell system or for a heater

• US 7,318,846 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2003
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Webasto AG (Webasto Beteiligungs Verwaltung Gbr)
• Original Assignee: Enerday GmbH (Webasto Beteiligungs Verwaltung Gbr)
• Inventors: Jahn, Matthias, Boltze, Matthias, Wunderlich, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldarola; Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANDAL, KAITY V
• Application Number:
  US10/667,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20040086436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,575 Days
• Field of Search: 481/801, 481/86, 481/90, 481/91, 481892-1894, 731/181, 123/510, 123/511, 123/514, 123/515
• US Class Current: 48/61
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/59 Mixing reaction ingredients for fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/711 Heating materials, e.g. melting
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/10 Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/313 wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/717551 using electrical pulses
• CPC Class Codes: F23K 2300/204 Preheating
• CPC Class Codes: F23K 5/04 Feeding or distributing systems using pumps from a central source to a plurality of burners F23K5/06
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0612 from carbon-containing material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A mixture formation means for the reformer of a fuel cell system or for a heater. The fuel feed includes a pressure impulse injection means and the mixture formation area is a swirl chamber having a discharge nozzle connected to the pressure impulse injection device. Also included is a fuel heater for preheating the fuel before injection in order to achieve complete vaporization of the fuel, such as diesel fuel.

Claims

1. A fuel cell apparatus with a reformer and a mixture formation means for mixing fluids prior to entering a reaction space, said mixture formation means comprising:

a mixture formation area including a swirl chamber;

an air feed means for supplying air to the mixture formation area;

a fuel line including a fuel heating means for heating fuel in the fuel line and a nozzle having an outlet and being connected to the mixture formation area to supply heated fuel from the fuel line to the swirl chamber, wherein the fuel heating means preheats the fuel to a temperature that produces spontaneous fuel vaporization at the outlet of the nozzle; and

a fuel feed means connected to a fuel source for feeding fuel between the fuel source and the fuel line, wherein the fuel feed means includes a supply line, a return line, and a pressure impulse injection means for selectively supplying fuel from the supply line to either the fuel line or the return line,

wherein the supply line includes a fuel pump having a pumping pressure, and the return line includes a pressure holding valve having a holding pressure, wherein the pumping pressure is matched to the holding pressure, and

wherein the pressure impulse injection means includes a changeover valve having an input side connected to the fuel pump and an output side that is selectively connectable with the fuel source via the return line and the mixture formation area via the fuel line such that the changeover valve directs fuel from the fuel pump to either the fuel line or the fuel source.

2. The fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel heating means is adapted to heat the fuel to the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the fuel is below a holding pressure determined by the pressure holding valve.

3. The fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air feed means includes an air heater.

4. The fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the air heater is adapted to heat the air to a temperature at which condensation of the fuel in the swirl chamber does not occur.

5. The fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air feed is adapted to supply air continuously.