Fuel cells for exhaust stream treatment
OwnerGregory S. Herman, Peter Mardilovich +2inventors
InventorsGregory S. Herman, Peter Mardilovich, David Champion, Christopher Beatty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Subject matter includes a fuel cell and related methods to treat exhaust. An exemplary single chamber fuel cell can produce power while detoxifying multiple exhaust components. The exhaust stream treated can be a combined stream of spent fuel and spent oxidizer.
Claims58
An apparatus for treating exhaust, comprising:
- a fuel cell operatively coupled to receive the exhaust;
- and
- an electrode included in the fuel cell capable of participating in one of an electrochemical reaction that uses one or more components of the exhaust as a reactant to produce electricity and a catalytic reaction that uses one or more components of the exhaust in an oxidation-reduction reaction.
A fuel cell for treating an exhaust stream, comprising:
- an exhaust inlet to receive the exhaust stream, wherein the exhaust inlet directs the exhaust stream to both an anode side and a cathode side of the fuel cell;
- an electrode for use as one of an anode and a cathode of the fuel cell, wherein the electrode uses a component of the exhaust stream to produce electricity;
- and
- an electrical conductor between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell to allow electricity to flow in a circuit.
A set of fuel cells for treating an exhaust stream, comprising:
- a first fuel cell having an electrode tuned to produce electricity from a first exhaust component;
- and
- a second fuel cell having an electrode tuned to produce electricity from a second exhaust component, wherein the second fuel cell receives the exhaust stream from the first fuel cell.
A fuel cell array for treating an exhaust stream, comprising:
- multiple fuel cells, wherein each fuel cell has an electrode tuned to produce electricity from one of more specific components of the exhaust stream;
- and
- an exhaust manifold for receiving the exhaust stream and directing parts of the exhaust stream to each fuel cell in the array of fuel cells.
A method, comprising:
- receiving exhaust from a combustion source;
- directing the exhaust through a fuel cell;
- and
- producing electrical power from the exhaust using the fuel cell.
A method, comprising:
- increasing the surface area of an electrode of a fuel cell to adsorb exhaust components;
- and
- enclosing the electrode in a chamber of the fuel cell, wherein the chamber is shaped to direct the exhaust components to the electrode.
A system for treating exhaust from a combustion source, comprising:
- a means for receiving the exhaust;
- a means for directing the exhaust over an electrode of a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode;
- and
- a means of conducting electricity from the anode to the cathode to form an electric circuit.
A power generator, comprising:
- A first fuel cell having a first efficiency, wherein the first fuel cell produces an electrical potential by receiving fuel and outputting exhaust;
- and
- a second fuel cell operatively coupled with the first fuel cell, wherein the second fuel cell produces electricity by receiving the exhaust from the first fuel cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.