초록 ▼

A molten carbonate fuel cell is combined with a catalytic coal or coal char gasifier for providing the reactant gases comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide used in the operation of the fuel cell. These reactant gases are stripped of sulfur compounds and particulate material and are

A molten carbonate fuel cell is combined with a catalytic coal or coal char gasifier for providing the reactant gases comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide used in the operation of the fuel cell. These reactant gases are stripped of sulfur compounds and particulate material and are then separated in discrete gas streams for conveyance to appropriate electrodes in the fuel cell. The gasifier is arranged to receive the reaction products generated at the anode of the fuel cell by the electricity-producing electrochemical reaction therein. These reaction products from the anode are formed primarily of high temperature steam and carbon dioxide to provide the steam, the atmosphere and the heat necessary to endothermically pyrolyze the coal or char in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction products generated at the cathode are substantially formed of carbon dioxide which is used to heat air being admixed with the carbon dioxide stream from the gasifier for providing the oxygen required for the reaction in the fuel cell and for driving an expansion device for energy recovery. A portion of this carbon dioxide from the cathode may be recycled into the fuel cell with the air-carbon dioxide mixture.

대표청구항 ▼

A coal gasification and fuel cell system, comprising in combination coal gasification means for endothermically reacting coal or coal char in the presence of a catalyst, an external source of heat and steam for producing a stream of gaseous products containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen at a temper

A coal gasification and fuel cell system, comprising in combination coal gasification means for endothermically reacting coal or coal char in the presence of a catalyst, an external source of heat and steam for producing a stream of gaseous products containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen at a temperature in the range of about 1150°to 1050°F., a molten carbonate fuel cell means having anode means and cathode means, conduit means connecting the gasification means to the fuel cell means, gas separating means in said conduit means for separating the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen, said conduit means comprising a first conduit means coupling said gas separating means and said anode means for conveying hydrogen separated in said gas separating means to said anode means and second conduit means coupling said gas separating means and said cathode means for conveying carbon dioxide separated in said gas separating means to said cathode means with said carbon dioxide and hydrogen effecting an electrochemical reaction in said fuel cell for producing an electrical output while generating steam at said anode means, and further conduit means coupling said anode means to said gasification means for conveying the steam produced in the fuel cell means to said gasification means for providing heat and the steam utilized for said endothermic reaction.