US3615850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and process employing a reformable fuel to generate electrical energy
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1969-03-10
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Granted: 1971-10-26
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Expires: 1989-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for generating electrical energy reacts fuel and water to form hydrogen which is delivered to a fuel cell in an amount exceeding its requirements, the surplus hydrogen being burned to maintain the endothermic fuel-water reaction. Product water from the burning and fuel cell operations is recovered to continue the fuel-water reaction, which water is preheated by the electrolyte, which advantageously may be phosphoric acid.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Chludzinski
- 👤 John Ward Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 further including: rejecting heat from the reformate from the combustion zone to the condensed water vapor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein: said electrolyte is phosphoric acid; and said oxidant is air;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein: said phosphoric acid is heated before provision to said fuel cell; and, said phosphoric is diluted prior to any cooling thereof, whereby to preclude the phosphoric acid from solidifying when the process is halted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein: said electrolyte is potassium hydroxide; and said oxidant is air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein: said electrolyte is immobilized and said oxidant is air; and further including: reducing the carbon monoxide content of the reformate before delivery to the fuel cell; and humidifying the air supplied to the fuel cell.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for generating electrical energy comprising: a fuel cell formed of a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte means interposed between said cathode and anode; means forming a hydrogen chamber adjacent said anode; means operating said cell at a temperature above the boiling point of water whereby excess heat from said cell may be utilized to convert water formed in said cell into water vapor including: reforming means including burner means; means, including water vapor condensation means, for supplying water and fuel to said reforming means; means for supplying reformate from said reforming means to said hydrogen chamber means; means for supplying oxidant and fuel to said burner means; means for delivering water vapor produced in said fuel cell and in said burner means to said condensation means; and means for rejecting heat from said electrolyte means to said means for supplying water and fuel to said reforming means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 7 further including: means for rejecting heat from the reformate from the combustion zone to said means for supplying water and fuel to said reforming means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein: said electrolyte is phosphoric acid; and further including: means for selectively adding water to said phosphoric acid electrolyte.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
The combination comprising: a fuel cell formed of a cathode, an anode, electrolyte means interposed between said cathode and said anode to provide ionic conductivity therebetween, and means forming a hydrogen chamber adjacent said anode, reforming means including burner means, water recovery means including an inner body portion and an outer body portion, said inner body portion including an upper section and a lower section, means inhibiting heat transfer between said upper section and said outer body portion, and means facilitating heat transfer between said lower section and said outer body portion, means delivering reformate from said reforming means to said hydrogen chamber means, first conduit means extending between said hydrogen chamber means and said burner means including a portion mounted within said upper section, second conduit means for delivering combustion products from said burner means to said upper section, and means circulating air between said inner body portion and said outer body portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 10 in which said fuel cell includes means forming an oxidant chamber adjacent said cathode and said combination additionally including third conduit means for delivering air from an upper portion of said outer body portion to said oxidant chamber means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination according to claim 10 in which said fuel cell includes means forming an oxidant chamber adjacent said cathode and said combination additionally including third conduit means for delivering air from an upper portion of said outer body portion to said oxidant chamber means and fourth conduit means extending between said oxidant chamber means and said burner means including a portion mounted within said upper section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-25 | 1975-04-26 | 1975-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-25 | 1979-04-26 | 1979-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-25 | 1983-04-26 | 1983-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |