FUEL CELL SYSTEMS INCLUDING HYDROGEN-PRODUCING ASSEMBLIES

摘要

Hydrogen-producing assemblies, fuel cell systems including the same, methods of producing hydrogen gas, and methods of powering an energy-consuming device Hydrogen-producing assemblies may include a monolithic body that defines at least a reforming conduit, in which a feed stream is catalyzed into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen gas, and a burner conduit, in which a fuel-air stream is combusted The monolithic body conducts heat generated by the exothermic reaction of the combustion from the burner conduit to the reformer conduit In some hydrogen-producing assemblies, the monolithic body further defines a vaporizer conduit, in which liquid portions of the feed stream are vaporized prior to being delivered to the reformer conduit, and the monolithic body conducts heat from the burner conduit to the vaporizer conduit Hydrogen-producing assemblies may be incorporated into a fuel cell system configured to power an energy-consuming device