초록 ▼

A thermally integrated reformer (10) is located inside the stack furnace (12) housing stacks (14) of solid oxide fuel cells (16). The energy to support the endothermic reformation reaction converting hydrocarbon and water feedstock into hydrogen and carbon monoxide fuel is supplied by heat recovered

A thermally integrated reformer (10) is located inside the stack furnace (12) housing stacks (14) of solid oxide fuel cells (16). The energy to support the endothermic reformation reaction converting hydrocarbon and water feedstock into hydrogen and carbon monoxide fuel is supplied by heat recovered from the oxidation process in the stack (14) of fuel cells (16). The source of hydrocarbons is desulfurized natural gas. Heat transfers to reformers (10) which may be incrementally shielded packed beds (30, 60) of the reactors (18, 19) of the reformer (10) by radiation from the stacks (14), furnace wall (38), or both and by forced convection from the exhausting airflow exiting the stack furnace (12). Temperature gradients in the reformer (10) may be controlled by selective (or incremented) radiation shielding (20) and by counterflow heat exchange to prevent excessive premature cracking in the reformer. Such an optimized design uses a minimum amount of catalyst, yet prevents carbonization from clogging interstices or otherwise rendering the catalyst or catalyst granules (32) ineffective. Alternatively sufficient catalyst may be provided to render the reformation process a heat-limited reaction. In this circumstance, the stacks (132) configured in a module (106) may transfer heat directly to a reformer (110) surrounding the module (106). The air may pass through a heat exchanger 108 or preheater (200) positioned proximate the module 106 in an insulated enclosure (102).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [7.] A thermally coupled stack furnace comprising:an enclosure having a wall enclosing a chamber;a stack positioned within said chamber, said stack including at least one fuel cell having a solid oxide electrolyte for generating electricity by oxidizing a fuel flow passing ove

[ What is claimed is:] [7.] A thermally coupled stack furnace comprising:an enclosure having a wall enclosing a chamber;a stack positioned within said chamber, said stack including at least one fuel cell having a solid oxide electrolyte for generating electricity by oxidizing a fuel flow passing over one surface of said solid oxide electrolyte with oxygen from an air flow passing over another surface of said solid oxide electrolyte, said fuel cell producing a fuel exhaust and an air exhaust; anda reformer conduit structure, for reforming a feedstock, for supplying fuel gas for the at least one fuel cell, comprising:at least one tubular member, operably configured to be connected in fluid communication with a source of feedstock material,the at least one tubular member further being operably configured to be connected in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell,the tubular member having a hollow passageway therethrough;at least one catalyst support member positioned within the hollow passageway of the at least one tubular member;a catalyst material, operably disposed on a surface of the at least one catalyst support member, for prompting the conversion, by chemical reaction, of feedstock material passing through the at least one tubular member into fuel gas suitable for use in a fuel cell, upon exposure of the at least one tubular member to heat,the reformer conduit structure being disposed, within the enclosure, in a heat receiving relationship relative to the at least one fuel cell.