US5714276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for supplying fuel gas to fuel cell assembly
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-10-11
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Granted: 1998-02-03
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Expires: 2016-10-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for supplying a fuel gas comprises a reformer for steam reforming of methanol supplied from a methanol tank, and a methanol-removing means for removing unreacted methanol contained in the fuel gas delivered from the reformer. The fuel gas, from which the unreacted methanol is effectively removed, can be supplied to a fuel cell assembly. Accordingly, no unreacted methanol remains in the fuel gas to be supplied to an anode of the fuel cell. Thus the power generation performance can be effectively maintained.
Inventors
- 👤 Takafumi Okamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:56
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/32; H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/90; H01M4/92; H01M4/921; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/0662; C01B2203/00; C01B2203/02; C01B2203/0205; C01B2203/0211; C01B2203/0216; C01B2203/0227; C01B2203/0233; C01B2203/04; C01B2203/0435; C01B2203/044; C01B2203/0465; C01B2203/047; C01B2203/06; C01B2203/066; C01B2203/08; C01B2203/0805; C01B2203/0811; C01B2203/0816; C01B2203/0822; C01B2203/0827; C01B2203/12; C01B2203/1205; C01B2203/1211; C01B2203/1217; C01B2203/1223; H01M8/10; H01M8/12; H01M2008/1293; H01M8/14; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0068; H01M2300/0071; H01M2300/0074; H01M2300/0082; H01M8/04; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04119; H01M8/04156; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of stacked fuel cells, each of said fuel cells including an anode and a cathode opposed to each other with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween, said method comprising the steps of: producing said fuel gas for operating said fuel cell assembly from methanol by the aid of a fuel-producing means; removing unreacted methanol contained in said produced fuel gas; and supplying, to said fuel cells, said fuel gas from which said unreacted methanol has been removed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of stacked fuel cells, each of said fuel cells including an anode and a cathode opposed to each other with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween, said method comprising the steps of: producing said fuel gas for operating said fuel cell assembly from methanol by the aid of a fuel-producing means; removing unreacted methanol contained in said produced fuel gas; and supplying, to said fuel cells, said fuel gas from which said unreacted methanol has been removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said unreacted methanol is removed by selectively oxidizing said unreacted methanol by the aid of a catalyst composed of a noble metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said unreacted methanol is removed by oxidizing said unreacted methanol together with carbon monoxide by the aid of a means for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said unreacted methanol is removed by condensing said unreacted methanol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said condensed unreacted methanol is returned to a methanol tank.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel cell assembly from a fuel gas producing means that uses methanol as a supply gas source, the method comprising the step of: removing unreacted methanol contained in said fuel gas produced by said fuel gas producing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel cell assembly from a fuel gas producing means that uses methanol as a supply gas source, the method comprising the step of: removing unreacted methanol contained in said fuel gas produced by said fuel gas producing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said unreacted methanol is removed by selectively oxidizing said unreacted methanol by the aid of a catalyst composed of a noble metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said unreacted methanol is removed by oxidizing said unreacted methanol and carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas produced by said fuel gas producing means by the aid of a means for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said unreacted methanol is removed by condensing said unreacted methanol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said condensed unreacted methanol is returned to a methanol tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-08-04 | 2002-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | 2006-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-02 | 2009-08-04 | 2010-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |