| 摘要 |
Method and apparatus for internal reforming of hydrocarbon fuels in fuel cells by mixing fuel with products of reaction over the anode such that the fuel concentration is below the soot formation limit. Steam reforming takes place using the product water and heat generated at the anode by the electric power generation reaction. The reactor exhaust is a mixture that contains H2, CO, CO2, H2O and hydrocarbons, and has 40% to 60% of the original fuel content remaining. The reactor can be the first stage of a two-stage fuel cell system, with the second stage being a fuel cell operated in plug flow mode that directly utilizes fuel content of the exhaust to generate additional electric power, or the exhaust can be used for other purposes including as a reducing atmosphere or feedstock. As a further aspect of the invention allows for the utilization of solid fuels such as coal. |
