초록 ▼

An integrated process and system for producing electricity for stationary purposes or for electric-powered vehicle using any of multiple hydrocarbon input fuels, a fuel cell, and a thermoelectric reformer that allows quick response to transient loads. Optional high-temperature and low-temperature wa

An integrated process and system for producing electricity for stationary purposes or for electric-powered vehicle using any of multiple hydrocarbon input fuels, a fuel cell, and a thermoelectric reformer that allows quick response to transient loads. Optional high-temperature and low-temperature water-gas shift reactors are used to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in the reformate stream; a hydrogen separator is used to remove carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and trace hydrocarbons; and a condenser is used to remove moisture from the reformate stream. Hydrogen gas not consumed in the fuel cell is stored or recycled for subsequent input to the fuel cell. H2O produced in the fuel cell is recycled for use in the reformer and water-gas shift reactors and is heated with waste heat from the fuel cell and carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from the hydrogen separator. A mixer is used to vaporize the input fuel prior to entering the thermoelectric reformer. Some of the electricity produced in the fuel cell is used for powering the thermoelectric reformer and is also stored for subsequent startup and peak load purposes.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A process for producing electricity in a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode comprising:heating an input hydrocarbon fuel and mixing with steam and producing a vapor fuel and steam mixture; passing the vapor fuel and steam mixture to a thermoelectric reformer where hydrocarbon fuel and steam ar

1. A process for producing electricity in a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode comprising:heating an input hydrocarbon fuel and mixing with steam and producing a vapor fuel and steam mixture; passing the vapor fuel and steam mixture to a thermoelectric reformer where hydrocarbon fuel and steam are dissociated to form hydrogen gas; separating hydrogen gas from impurities in the reformate stream in a hydrogen separator to create a stream with moist hydrogen gas and a stream with impurities; passing the moist hydrogen gas stream to a condenser to condense out moisture in the moist hydrogen gas stream and leaving a saturated hydrogen gas stream; passing the saturated hydrogen gas stream from the condenser to the fuel cell and supplying air to the cathode of the fuel cell, utilizing most of the hydrogen gas entering the fuel cell, and producing electricity, waste heat, and water; passing the electricity produced in the fuel cell to meet load demands, to power the thermoelectric reformer, and to an electricity storage device; storing part of the hydrogen gas from the fuel cell in a hydrogen storage device and mixing part of the hydrogen gas from the fuel cell with the hydrogen gas stream entering the fuel cell; measuring electricity output of the fuel cell, measuring fuel input and measuring inlet and outlet temperatures, pressures, and flow rates at the reformer, and at the fuel cell; and comparing the load demands with the electricity produced in the fuel cell and controlling flow rates, temperatures, and pressure, and adjusting the electricity produced in the fuel cell to meet the load demand.