Flame stabilized mixer-eductor-oxidizer for high temperature fuel cells

摘要

A mixer/eductor assembly for use with a fuel cell stack, the mixer/eductor assembly mixing and at least partially combusting anode exhaust gas output from an anode-side of the stack and an oxidant supply gas, the mixer/eductor assembly comprising: a first area mixing a first portion of the anode exhaust gas and a first portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture, the first area being configured to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture, a second area coupled with the first area for mixing a second portion of the anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture, wherein the first mixture has a first oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than a second oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture, and the first area provides an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture.

主权项

1. A mixing/educting method for use with a fuel cell system having an anode-side and a cathode-side and for mixing and at least partially combusting an anode exhaust gas output from the anode-side and an oxidant supply gas, said method comprising:
receiving and mixing a first portion of anode exhaust gas and a first portion of oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture in a first area and to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture; receiving and mixing a second portion of anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture in a second area coupled to the first area, said first mixture having a first oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than a second oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture, and the first area providing an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture in the second area.