Integrated power generation and carbon capture using fuel cells

A method for capturing carbon dioxide from a combustion source, the method comprising:

• introducing one or more fuel streams and an O2-containing stream into a combustion zone;
• performing a combustion reaction in the combustion zone to generate a combustion exhaust, the combustion exhaust comprising CO2;
• processing at least a first portion of the combustion exhaust with a fuel cell array of one or more molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode exhaust stream from at least one cathode outlet of the fuel cell array, the one or more fuel cells each having an anode and a cathode, the molten carbonate fuel cells being operatively connected to the combustion exhaust through one or more cathode inlets in the fuel cell array;
• reacting carbonate from the one or more fuel cell cathodes with hydrogen within the one or more fuel cell anodes to produce electricity, an anode exhaust stream from at least one anode outlet of the fuel cell array comprising CO2 and H2;
• separating CO2 from the anode exhaust stream in one or more separation stages to form a CO2-depleted anode exhaust stream;
• passing at least a first portion of the CO2-depleted anode exhaust stream to the combustion zone;
• and
• recycling at least a second portion of the CO2-depleted anode exhaust stream to one or more of the fuel cell anodes.