To replenish acidic electrolyte which is lost during power generation plant operation, while removing ammonium from the fuel gas flow of a fuel cell.
By causing fuel gas flow to pass through an ammonium removing layer 2a of phosphoric acid-containing porous carbon pellet, ammonium in is removed from the fuel gas of a fuel cell. Ammonium reacts with phosphoric acid in the removing layer to form an ammonium phosphate compound, and the compound remains in the removing layer. Sufficient phosphoric acid is evaporated from the removing layer, and acidic electrolyte lost during power generation plant 2 operation is replenished. The temperature of the fuel gas passing through a scrubber can be adjusted, so that electrolyte loss during different operation steps of the power generation plant 2 is matched. Accordingly, a function for removing the ammonium from the fuel gas flow and a function for replenishing the electrolyte lost during the normal operation of the power generation plant are made available.
LUCZAK FRANCIS J
PRESTON JR JOHN L
TEELING CHRISTOPHER R
BREAULT RICHARD D
FREDLEY ROBERT R
SCHEFFLER GLENN W
