Fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement and a method of operating a fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement
View Patent ↗The fuel processor ( 10 ) comprises a desulphurisation reactor ( 12 ), a catalytic partial oxidation reactor ( 14 ), a combustor ( 16 ) and a pre-reformer ( 18 ), means ( 20 ) to supply a hydrocarbon fuel to the desulphurisation reactor ( 12 ), means ( 24 ) to supply air to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor ( 14 ) and means ( 24 ) to supply air to the combustor ( 16 ). A method of operating the fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement includes (a) supplying safe gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a first mode of operation, (b) supplying synthesis gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a second mode of operation and (c) supplying processed hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell arrangement in a third mode of operation.
1. A method of operating a fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement comprising
(a) supplying safe gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a first mode of operation,
(b) supplying synthesis gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a second mode of operation and
(c) supplying processed hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell arrangement in a third mode of operation
wherein the first mode of operation comprises desulphurising a hydrocarbon fuel, carrying out catalytic partial oxidation on the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to produce a synthesis gas, burning the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to produce oxygen depleted gas and mixing the synthesis gas with the oxygen depleted gas to produce safe gas.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first mode is start up and/or shut down conditions of the fuel cell arrangement.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second mode is hot idle and/or part load conditions of the fuel cell arrangement.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third mode is normal conditions of the fuel cell arrangement.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second mode of operation comprises desulphurising a hydrocarbon fuel, carrying out catalytic partial oxidation on the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to produce a synthesis gas.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third mode of operation comprises desulphurising a hydrocarbon fuel, carrying out catalytic partial oxidation on the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to produce a synthesis gas, mixing the synthesis gas with desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel and pre-reforming the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to produce the processed hydrocarbon fuel.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the desulphurising comprises mixing synthesis gas and the hydrocarbon fuel to react hydrogen in the synthesis gas with sulphur compounds in the hydrocarbon fuel to form hydrogen sulphide.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the desulphurising comprises adsorbing the hydrogen sulphide.
9. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pre-reforming of the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel comprises hydrogenolysis.
10. A method of operating a fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement comprising:
(a) supplying safe gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a first mode of operation,
(b) supplying synthesis gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a second mode of operation, and
(c) supplying processed hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell arrangement in a third mode of operation;
wherein the third mode of operation comprises desulphurising a hydrocarbon fuel, carrying out catalytic partial oxidation on the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to produce a synthesis gas, mixing the synthesis gas with desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel and pre-reforming the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to produce the processed hydrocarbon fuel.