Integration of molten carbonate fuel cells in iron and steel processing
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsPaul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Anita S. Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells with processes for iron and/or steel production. The systems and methods can provide process improvements such as increased efficiency, reduction of carbon emissions per ton of product produced, or simplified capture of the carbon emissions as an integrated part of the system. The number of separate processes and the complexity of the overall production system can be reduced while providing flexibility in fuel feed stock and the various chemical, heat, and electrical outputs needed to power the processes.
Claims19
A method for producing iron and/or steel, the method comprising:
- introducing a fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel into an anode of a molten carbonate fuel cell, an internal reforming element associated with the anode, or a combination thereof, thereby forming an anode exhaust comprising one or more anode exhaust components;
- introducing a cathode inlet stream comprising CO2 and O2 into a cathode of the molten carbonate fuel cell, thereby forming a cathode exhaust comprising one or more cathode exhaust components;
- generating electricity within the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- and
- conducting a process for producing iron and/or steel, which consumes, as an input thereto, an output from the molten carbonate fuel cells, and/or which provides, as an output therefrom, an input into an element of the molten carbonate fuel cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.