Multi-fuel fuel cell system has mode in which fuel cell(s) is isolated from hydrogen generating unit and mode in which reformed material can pass to fuel cell(s)

摘要

The system has a device for switching the system between first and second modes. In the first a fuel cell(s) is isolated from a hydrogen generating unit. In the second the fuel cell(s) are connected to the hydrogen generating unit so that reformed material only passes to the fuel cell(s) in the second mode. The system has a hydrogen generating unit (1) and at least one fuel cell (2), an arrangement for heating up a catalyser element (3) to a pre-set operating temperature, an arrangement for adding liquid fuel and air to the catalyser element to form a synthesized gas mixture containing hydrogen and an arrangement for feeding it to the other components (4-9), especially for forming a reformed substance containing a greater proportion of hydrogen. There is a device (10) for switching the system between first and second modes. In the first the fuel cell(s) is isolated from the hydrogen generating unit. In the second they are connected so that the reformed material only passes to the fuel cell(s) in the second mode. Independent claims are also included for the following: a method of operating a multi-fuel fuel cell system.