초록 ▼

A power generation system includes a fuel cell including an anode that generates a tail gas. The system also includes a hydrocarbon fuel reforming system that mixes a hydrocarbon fuel with the fuel cell tail gas and to convert the hydrocarbon fuel and fuel tail gas into a reformed fuel stream includ

A power generation system includes a fuel cell including an anode that generates a tail gas. The system also includes a hydrocarbon fuel reforming system that mixes a hydrocarbon fuel with the fuel cell tail gas and to convert the hydrocarbon fuel and fuel tail gas into a reformed fuel stream including CO2. The reforming system further splits the reformed fuel stream into a first portion and a second portion. The system further includes a CO2 removal system coupled in flow communication with the reforming system. The system also includes a first reformed fuel path coupled to the reforming system. The first path channels the first portion of the reformed fuel stream to an anode inlet. The system further includes a second reformed fuel path coupled to the reforming system. The second path channels the second portion of the reformed fuel stream to the CO2 removal system.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of generating electric power with a power generation system utilizing a fuel cell, said method comprising: channeling a fuel to an inlet of a solid oxide fuel cell anode;generating a tail gas stream including carbon dioxide (CO2) in the solid oxide fuel cell anode and discharging the tai

1. A method of generating electric power with a power generation system utilizing a fuel cell, said method comprising: channeling a fuel to an inlet of a solid oxide fuel cell anode;generating a tail gas stream including carbon dioxide (CO2) in the solid oxide fuel cell anode and discharging the tail gas stream from an outlet of the fuel cell anode;channeling the tail gas stream to a hydrocarbon fuel reforming system;mixing a hydrocarbon fuel with the tail gas stream to form a fuel/tail gas mixture stream;at least partially converting the fuel/tail gas mixture stream into a reformed fuel stream including CO2;splitting the reformed fuel stream including CO2 into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes a hot partially reformed fuel stream;channeling the first portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 to the inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell anode;channeling the second portion of the reformed fuel stream to a CO2 removal system;wherein channeling the second portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 to a CO2 removal system comprises decreasing a CO2 concentration in the first portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 comprising: channeling the second portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 to a solvent-based CO2 absorber;transferring at least a portion of the CO2 in the second portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 to a CO2-lean solvent stream, andforming a CO2-rich solvent stream and a reformed fuel stream without CO2; and channeling the reformed fuel stream without CO2 into the hot partially reformed fuel stream. 2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein decreasing a CO2 concentration in the first portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 further comprises: channeling the CO2-rich solvent stream to a rich solvent reboiler; adding heat into the rich solvent reboiler from at least one of a combustion engine exhaust stream and a heat pump. 3. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein adding heat into the rich solvent reboiler from at least one of a combustion engine exhaust stream and a heat pump comprises: splitting the reformed fuel stream including CO2 into a third portion; andchanneling the third portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 to a combustion engine and generating the engine exhaust stream. 4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein decreasing a CO2 concentration in the first portion of the reformed fuel stream including CO2 further comprises transferring heat from the CO2-lean solvent stream to the CO2-rich solvent stream through a solvent recuperator, thereby preheating the CO2-rich solvent stream prior to entry into the rich solvent reboiler.