초록 ▼

A fuel cell electric power generation system comprises an electric power generation subsystem, a fuel processing subsystem, an oxidant subsystem, a water circulation subsystem, and a temperature control subsystem. The improved system employs a novel arrangement of components which provides improved

A fuel cell electric power generation system comprises an electric power generation subsystem, a fuel processing subsystem, an oxidant subsystem, a water circulation subsystem, and a temperature control subsystem. The improved system employs a novel arrangement of components which provides improved interaction between the subsystems while also simplifying the apparatus by integrating components to provide improved thermal and electrical efficiency. The fuel processing subsystem preferably comprises a furnace for providing heat to a plurality of components disposed within the furnace. In one embodiment, a reformer, a fuel stream humidifier, and a heat exchanger are all disposed within the furnace vessel, with the outlet of the humidifier fluidly connected to the inlet of the reformer and the outlet of the heat exchanger fluidly connected to a desulfurizer located external to the furnace. The fuel processing subsystem may further comprise a shift reactor that exchanges heat with a cathode exhaust stream directed to the shift reactor from the power generation subsystem. After passing through the shift reactor, the cathode exhaust stream is preferably directed to the furnace burner.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A fuel cell electric power generation system comprising:(A) an electric power generation subsystem comprising at least one fuel cell which comprises a cathode, an anode, and an ion exchange membrane disposed therebetween, said anode having a catalyst associated therewit

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A fuel cell electric power generation system comprising:(A) an electric power generation subsystem comprising at least one fuel cell which comprises a cathode, an anode, and an ion exchange membrane disposed therebetween, said anode having a catalyst associated therewith for producing electrons and protons from a hydrogen-rich fuel stream, said cathode having a catalyst associated therewith for promoting the reaction of oxygen with said protons and electrons to form water and heat;(B) a fuel processing subsystem for generating said hydrogen-rich fuel stream, said fuel processing subsystem comprising:(1) a fuel compressor for increasing the pressure of an inlet fuel stream;(2) a desulfurizer for receiving an inlet fuel stream and producing desulfurized fuel stream by removing sulfur from said inlet fuel stream;(3) a furnace comprising:(a) a furnace burner which produces a hot burner gas for providing heat within said furnace, wherein said hot burner gas if fluidly isolated from said inlet fuel stream, said desulfurized fuel stream, and a reformate fuel stream;(b) a reformer disposed within said furnace for catalytically converting said desulfurized fuel stream into said reformate fuel stream, which comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water vapor; and(c) at least one heat exchanger assembly disposed within said furnace for transferring heat from said hot burner gas to said inlet fuel stream to heat said inlet fuel stream upstream of said desulfurizer;(4) a recycling passage for recycling a portion of said hydrogen-rich fuel stream into said inlet fuel stream upstream of said fuel compressor for providing hydrogen to said desulfurizer;(5) a fuel processor for processing said reformate fuel stream to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide to produce said hydrogen-rich fuel stream; and(6) a fuel feed passage for directing said hydrogen-rich stream from said fuel processing subsystem to said anode;(C) an oxidant subsystem for pressurizing an inlet oxidant stream and directing a pressurized oxidant stream to said cathode;(D) a water circulation subsystem for circulating and recovering water within said fuel cell electric power generation system for humidification of said desulfurized fuel stream and said pressurized oxidant stream and for cooling; and(E) a temperature control subsystem for circulating a temperature control fluid for controlling the temperature within said fuel cell electric power generation system.