PLASMATRON-FUEL CELL SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY

摘要

A plasmatron for generating hydrogen rich gas from hydrocarbon fuel is connected to deliver the hydrogen rich gas to a fuel cell. The fuel cell generates electricity, a small portion of the generated electricity being supplied to the plasmatron to sustain its operation. Embodiments include both vehicular applications and decentralized power generating stations. The plasmatron may be either a water plasmatron or a water free plasmatron. Suitable fuels for the plasmatron to reform include gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, JP4, and biomass derived fuels. The plasmatron supplies hydrogen rich gas or other molecular species to fuel cells of conventionally known designs. The overall efficiency of the plasmatron/fuel cell system can be as high as 48 %.