Integration of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsPaul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank H. Hershkowitz, Kevin Taylor
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Abstract
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process in various manners, including providing synthesis gas for use in producing hydrocarbonaceous carbons. Additionally, integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process can facilitate further processing of vent streams or secondary product streams generated during the synthesis process.
Claims20
A method for synthesizing hydrocarbonaceous compounds, the method comprising:
- introducing a fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel into an anode of a molten carbonate fuel cell, an internal reforming element associated with the anode, or a combination thereof;
- introducing a cathode inlet stream comprising CO2 and O2 into a cathode of the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- generating electricity within the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- generating an anode exhaust:
- comprising H2, CO, and CO2, having a ratio of H2 to CO of at least about 2.5:1, and having a CO2 content of at least about 20 vol %;
- removing water and CO2 from at least a portion of the anode exhaust to produce an anode effluent gas stream, the anode effluent gas stream having a concentration of water that is less than half of a concentration of water in the anode exhaust, having a concentration of CO2 that is less than half of a concentration of CO2 in the anode exhaust, or a combination thereof, the anode effluent gas stream also having a ratio of H2 to CO of about 2.3:1 or less;
- and
- reacting at least a portion of the anode effluent gas stream over a non-shifting Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to produce at least one gaseous product and at least one non-gaseous product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.