HYDROGEN GENERATION AND ENERGY PRODUCTION ASSEMBLIES

摘要

A hydrogen generation assembly includes a feedstock delivery system that selectively delivers a heating fuel and a hydrogen-production fluid. The delivery system includes a valve assembly that selectively and separately discharges the fluid and the fuel. The valve assembly discharges the heating fuel until a predetermined condition occurs prior to discharging the hydrogen-production fluid, and automatically switches between discharging the heating fuel and discharging the hydrogen-production fluid upon the occurrence of the condition. A hydrogen-producing region receives the hydrogen-production fluid from the delivery system and produces a stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component. A heating assembly receives the fuel from the delivery system and combusts it to produce an exhaust stream for heating the hydrogen-producing region. A fuel cell stack receives at least a portion of the stream containing hydrogen gas and produces an electric current. The fuel cell stack has a rated power output of 100-1000 watts.