System and process for generating electrical power

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for generating electricity with a solid oxide fuel cell system with low carbon dioxide production. First and second gas streams containing hydrogen are fed at independently selected rates to an anode of a solid oxide fuel cell. The first and second gas streams are mixed with an oxidant at one or more anode electrodes of the solid oxide fuel cell to generate electricity. An anode exhaust stream comprising hydrogen and water is separated from the anode of the fuel cell, and the second gas stream comprising hydrogen is separated from the anode exhaust stream and fed back to the anode of the fuel cell. The rates that the first and second gas streams are fed to the fuel cell are selected so the fuel cell generates a high electrical power density. Recycle of the hydrogen from the anode exhaust reduces the amount of hydrogen required to be generated to operate the fuel cell, thereby reducing the carbon dioxide produced in the generation of hydrogen required to operate the fuel cell.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.