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Apparatus and methods for mixing reformable fuels and an oxygen-containing gas and/or steam

  • US 9,774,050 B2
  • Filed: 07/18/2014
  • Issued: 09/26/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A fuel cell system comprising:

  • a fluid mixing device, the fluid mixing device comprising;

    a tube having an inlet, an outlet, and a throat located between the inlet and the outlet, whereinthe throat comprises a smaller internal diameter than the internal diameter of the outlet,the longitudinal axis through the tube from the inlet to the outlet defines a downstream direction,at least a portion of the internal wall of the tube between the throat and the outlet comprises a helical mixing structure around at least a circumference of the tube, at least a portion of the tube between the throat and the outlet increases in internal diameter which coincides with at least a portion of the helical mixing structure, andthe tube comprises one or more fuel inlets downstream from the throat;

    a collar encompassing the one or more fuel inlets on the exterior surface of the tube and creating with the tube a fuel injection chamber in fluid communication with the one or more fuel inlets, wherein the collar comprises a fuel source inlet and isolates the one or more fuel inlets from the ambient environment exterior to the tube; and

    at least one of a reformer and a fuel cell stack in fluid communication with the outlet of the tube.

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