The invention relates to fuel cell systems with improved thermal efficiency. The systems include a fuel cell that generates electrical energy using hydrogen and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel. Some heat efficient systems described herein include a thermal catalyst that generates heat when the catalyst interacts with a heating medium. The heat is used to heat the fuel cell. The thermal catalyst may be disposed in proximity to the fuel cell, or remote from the fuel cell and a heat transfer pipe conducts heat from the catalyst to the fuel cell. Another thermally efficient embodiment uses a recuperator to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell system to incoming fuel. A fuel cell package may also include a multi-layer insulation arrangement to decrease heat loss from the fuel cell and fuel processor, which both typically operate at elevated temperatures.
申请公布号
WO2006069173(A2)
申请公布日期
2006.06.29
申请号
WO2005US46423
申请日期
2005.12.20
申请人
ULTRACELL CORPORATION;BRANTLEY, JENNIFER, E.;KAYE, IAN, W.;DERENZI, MICHAEL, C.;DI SCIPIO, WILLIAM
发明人
BRANTLEY, JENNIFER, E.;KAYE, IAN, W.;DERENZI, MICHAEL, C.;DI SCIPIO, WILLIAM