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US 2002/0172846 A1Published application
Cogeneration of power and heat by an integrated fuel cell power system
AssigneeNuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
InventorsMark R. Hagan, Matthew H. Dorson, Lawrence G. Clawson, Michael Leshchiner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Interconnection layouts are described that are particularly effective in the construction of a steam reformer/fuel cell combination for providing domestic heat and/or hot water as well as electricity. A distinguishing feature of the interconnections is that they permit the operator to optimize the efficiency of operation of the integrated system, and provide a higher efficiency at optimum operation compared to prior art designs. Combinations of reformer/fuel cell systems with conventional furnaces or boilers are also described.
Claims104
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate;
- a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate;
- a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack;
- and
- a third fluid loop for removing heat from at least one of the first and second loops for use in a cogenerative application.
2 more elements
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application to provide space heat and heat for potable water;
- and
- a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel cell exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application to provide space heat and heat for potable water.
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from a hydrogen-rich reformate;
- and
- a fuel cell coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack;
- wherein at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack are in heat exchange with at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack to maintain a fixed temperature difference in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
1 more element
The cogeneration system of claim 46 further comprising:
- a furnace for providing heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating.
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from a hydrogen-rich reformate;
- and
- a fuel cell coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack;
- wherein at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack are in heat exchange with at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack to maintain a difference within a set range of temperatures in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
1 more element
A condensing radiator for recovering water from an exhaust of a cogeneration system comprising:
- a first zone in which heat is transferred to a fluid loop providing space heating;
- and
- a second zone in which heat is transferred to a supply of potable water.
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application;
- a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate;
- a plurality of dissociated fluid circulation loops to reduce corrosive effects, wherein a first loop provides steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, a second loop maintains operable conditions in the fuel cell stack, and a third loop removes heat from the cogeneration system for use in a cogenerative application, the heat being previously extracted from the exhaust of at least one of either the fuel processor and the fuel cell;
- and
- a fuel cell coolant circulating in the second fluid loop, wherein the fuel cell coolant is in heat exchange with the hydrogen-rich reformate to equilibrate temperatures of the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate prior to entering the fuel cell stack in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
2 more elements
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate;
- and
- two dissociated and different fluid loops to reduce corrosive effects in the cogeneration system, wherein the fluid loops are selected from the group consisting of a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, a second fluid loop for maintaining operable conditions in the fuel cell stack, and a third fluid loop for removing heat from the cogeneration system for use in cogenerative applications, the heat being previously extracted from an exhaust.
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, wherein fluid is pumped from a reservoir to each of a first heat exchanger, a fuel processor assembly, a second heat exchanger, a third fluid recovery heat exchanger, then returned to the reservoir;
- a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack, wherein fluid is pumped from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to each of a fourth cogeneration heat exchanger, a fifth reformate cooling heat exchanger, a fuel cell stack, a saturator, then returned to the third fluid recovery heat exchanger;
- a third fluid loop for providing space heating, wherein heat for cogeneration is transferred via the third fluid loop from the fourth cogeneration heat exchanger to a radiator;
- and
- a fourth fluid loop for heating potable water, wherein heat for cogeneration is transferred via the fourth fluid loop from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to potable water.
2 more elements
A cogeneration system comprising:
- a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, wherein fluid is pumped from a reservoir to each of a first heat exchanger, a fuel processor assembly, a second heat exchanger, a third fluid recovery heat exchanger, then returned to the reservoir;
- a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack, wherein fluid is pumped from a fourth cogeneration heat exchanger to each of a saturator, a fuel cell stack, then returned to the fourth cogeneration heat exchanger;
- a third fluid loop for providing space heating, wherein fluid is pumped from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to each of a fourth cogeneration heat exchanger, a radiator, a fifth reformate cooling heat exchanger, then returned to the third fluid recovery heat exchanger;
- and
- a fourth fluid loop for heating potable water, wherein heat for cogeneration is transferred via the fourth fluid loop from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to potable water.
2 more elements
A heat exchange system for the provision of electricity and heat from a cogeneration system comprising:
- a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a reformer exhaust;
- a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate;
- a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack;
- a third fluid loop for removing heat from at least one of the fuel reforming reaction and the fuel cell stack for use in a cogenerative application;
- a first heat exchanger between the hydrogen-rich reformate and at least one other system fluid;
- a second heat exchanger between the reformer exhaust and at least one other fluid;
- and
- a third heat exchanger between the second fluid loop and the third fluid loop;
- wherein the system produces heat for at least one of hot potable water and space heating.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.