| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To lengthen the life of a cell by partitioning a fuel passage into an inlet side and an outlet side with a gas impermeable partition, reforming fuel with a reforming catalyst arranged in an inlet passage, and exhausting to a fuel outlet passage through a fuel cell. CONSTITUTION:Fuel containing hydrocarbon and steam are supplied to a fuel inlet passage 4-a from a fuel inlet manifold 9, and reformed with a reforming catalyst 8 to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The passage 4-a and a fuel outlet passage 4-b are partitioned with a gas impermeable partition 11, and the fuel diffuses from the passage to the pores of an adjacent fuel electrode 2. Part of hydrogen and that of carbon monoxide are consumed by electrochemical reaction to generate steam and carbon dioxide. These products and unreacted reforming gas are exhausted to the passage 4-b. The fuel supplied to a cell flows from the passage 4-a to the passage 4-b through the fuel electrode 2. Electrolyte vapor is difficult to move toward the reforming catalyst 8, and the condensation of the electrolyte vapor on the catalyst 8 is prevented and the life of a cell is lengthened. |
