Integrated electrical power and chemical production using fuel cells
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsPaul J. Berlowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
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Abstract
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.
Claims22
A system for producing electricity and synthesizing hydrocarbonaceous compounds, the system comprising:
- a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode, the anode comprising an anode inlet for receiving a fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel and comprising an anode outlet from which an anode exhaust is provided, the cathode comprising a cathode inlet for receiving a stream comprising CO2 and O2 and comprising a cathode outlet from which a cathode exhaust is provided,
- wherein a ratio of net moles of H2 and CO in the anode exhaust to moles of CO2 in a cathode exhaust is at least about 2.0, and wherein less than 10 vol% of the anode exhaust is directly or indirectly recycled to the cathode of the molten carbonate fuel cell.
A system for producing electricity and synthesizing hydrocarbonaceous compounds, the system comprising:
- a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode, the anode comprising an anode inlet for receiving a fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel and comprising an anode outlet from which an anode exhaust is provided, the cathode comprising a cathode inlet for receiving a stream comprising CO2 and O2 and comprising a cathode outlet from which a cathode exhaust is provided,
- wherein a ratio of net moles of H2 and CO in the anode exhaust to moles of CO2 in a cathode exhaust is at least about 1.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.