System and process for generating electrical power

A system for generating electricity, comprising:

• a) a solid oxide fuel cell comprising
• 1) an anode having
• (i) an anode inlet
• (ii) an anode exhaust outlet, wherein the anode exhaust outlet is operatively connected in gaseous communication with the anode inlet
• 2) a cathode;
• and
• 3) an electrolyte positioned between, contacting, and separating the anode and the cathode;
• b) a reforming reactor comprising
• 1) a reforming region adapted to reform a vaporized mixture of steam and a feed comprising one or more gaseous hydrocarbons, said reforming region containing a reforming catalyst bed with a reforming catalyst therein positioned to contact the vaporized mixture of steam and feed in the reforming region;
• and
• 2) one or more reforming region inlets coupled in gaseous communication with the reforming region through which steam, a feed comprising one or more gaseous hydrocarbons, or a vaporized mixture of steam and a feed comprising one or more gaseous hydrocarbons may be introduced to the reforming region;
• c) a hydrogen separation apparatus having
• 1) a member selectively permeable to hydrogen located in the reforming region of the reforming reactor and in gaseous communication with the reforming region of the reforming reactor;
• and
• 2) a hydrogen gas outlet located in gaseous communication with the member, the member being interposed between the reforming region of the reforming reactor and the hydrogen gas outlet to permit selective flow of hydrogen from the reforming region to the hydrogen gas outlet through the member, wherein the hydrogen gas outlet is operatively coupled in gaseous communication with the anode inlet of the fuel cell.