Autothermal Fuel Reformer Water Recirculation for Cold Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems face challenges in starting and operating reliably at ambient temperatures below the freezing point of water without the use of anti-freezing agents, particularly in mobile applications like aircraft and vehicles, due to the need for external water supplies which can freeze and damage the system.
Innovation Solution
A method and arrangement for autothermal fuel reforming that generates hydrogen using an exothermic catalytic partial oxidation process, followed by an endothermic catalytic steam reforming process, where hydrogen is converted to water steam and fed back into the fuel reformer, eliminating the need for external water and using a catalytic combustion reactor to purify the gas stream and reduce carbon monoxide levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external water is stored in a water tank for starting the reforming process, then the reforming process can be initiated, but the water can freeze in cold geographic regions causing system damage and slowing down start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates its own water steam internally through the reforming process itself, eliminating the need for external water storage. The reformer produces water steam as a byproduct of the reforming reaction, which is then fed back to sustain the reforming process, making the system self-sufficient and immune to freezing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and source of water from external liquid storage to internally generated vapor. By transforming water into steam through thermal processing within the reformer and utilizing it in vapor form for the reforming reaction, the system avoids the freezing issue associated with liquid water storage.
2Reliability
If anti-freezing agents are added to the water supply to prevent freezing, then the system can operate in cold regions, but the reforming process control and optimization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for anti-freezing agents by generating water steam internally through the reforming process. This self-sufficient approach maintains full control over the reforming process without chemical additives that would interfere with process optimization.
3Quantity of substance
If a water tank is used to supply water for the reforming process, then the reforming can proceed, but considerable weight is added to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The reformer system generates its own water steam requirement through the reforming reaction itself, eliminating the need for external water storage tanks. The water steam is produced as a byproduct of the reforming process and is recirculated back to the reformer, creating a closed loop that requires no additional water mass.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable operation of fuel cell systems at sub-freezing temperatures without external water, reducing weight and maintaining system performance by self-sufficiency in water steam generation and minimizing carbon monoxide, making it suitable for mobile applications.
Implementation Method 1
a catalytic combustion reactor (3) for converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
for converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
endothermic catalytic steam reforming process
Implementation Method 4
The generated hydrogen is fed to a catalytic combustion reactor, in which the generated hydrogen is catalytically converted into water steam
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an arrangement for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel such as dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, ethanol, propanol, or any variants or other oxidized fuels is disclosed for generating hydrogen especially for supplying a fuel cell. Furthermore, a fuel cell system is disclosed which includes such an arrangement, especially for providing power to a stationary or mobile power consuming unit like especially an auxiliary power unit (APU) for application in aircraft, ships and vehicles, or as a part of a hybrid drive or as a sole driving unit for, e.g., a ship or a vehicle.