SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESSURIZING HYDROGEN USED IN PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS

Abstract: a fuel cell electrical power generation system is described herein. the system uses the pressure of a raffinate stream to compress hydrogen separated from the raffinate stream used for pem fuel cells. a reformer, such as a methanol steam reformer, is used to generate a gases stream including hydrogen. the hydrogen is separated from other products of the reformer. to increase the pressure of the hydrogen for use in a pem fuel cell, the raffinate is expanded in a turbocharger. the expansion of the relatively higher raffinate stream is used to operate a compressor that compresses the relatively lower hydrogen. the compressed hydrogen is used as a hydrogen input for the pem fuel cell.

Inventor(s): Benjamin William HANKS, WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER BOLEY, DAVID M. GINTER

CPC Classification: H01M8/0618 ({Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming})

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