Hydrogen generator for fuel cell

摘要

A reciprocating pyrolyser operates cyclically on a hydrocarbon fuel, an oxidant and a purge gas. During pyrolysis a hydrocarbon fuel is decomposed at high temperature to yield a carbon deposit and hydrogen for supply to a fuel cell. After some period of operation the gas supply is switched to an oxidant whereby the carbon is oxidised to carbon monoxide and is used as a combustible fuel to heat the pyrolyser and to provide a heat output. When the carbon supply is exhausted the pyrolyser is purged, with an oxygen free gas, to remove all oxide traces and operation as a pyrolyser is resumed. The hydrogen output from the pyrolyser is uncontaminated by carbon oxides and this greatly simplifies use as a fuel gas for low temperature fuel cell systems.