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US 2016/0240876 A1Published application
Pre-Reformer For Selective Reformation Of Higher Hydrocarbons
AssigneeBloom Energy Corporation
InventorsDavid Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika, Martin Perry
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.
Claims16
An anode recuperator for a fuel cell system, comprising:
- a first annular fuel passage, wherein an inner wall of the first annular fuel passage is configured to form an upper plenum surrounded by the first annular fuel passage;
- an annular pre-reformer coupled to the first annular fuel passage and configured to receive an unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and at least partially reform the unreformed fuel stream to generate a reformed fuel stream, the annular pre-reformer located axially inward of the first annular fuel passage;
- and
- an annular anode exhaust passage surrounding at least a portion of the first annular fuel passage and the annular pre-reformer, the annular anode exhaust passage thermally coupled to the first annular fuel passage such that an anode exhaust stream in the annular anode exhaust passage provides heat to the unreformed fuel stream in the first annular fuel passage,
- wherein the annular pre-reformer is separated from the annular anode exhaust passage.
2 more elements
A method of operating an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system, comprising:
- pre-reforming an unreformed fuel stream at a temperature less than or equal to 750 degrees Celsius to selectively reform higher hydrocarbons in the unreformed fuel stream over methane in the unreformed fuel stream to generate a reformed fuel stream.
An anode recuperator for a fuel cell system, comprising:
- a first annular fuel passage, wherein an inner wall of the first annular fuel passage is configured to form an upper plenum surrounded by the first annular fuel passage;
- an annular pre-reformer coupled to the first annular fuel passage and configured to receive an unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and at least partially reform the unreformed fuel stream to generate a reformed fuel stream;
- a second annular fuel passage coupled to the pre-reformer and configured to receive the reformed fuel stream from the annular pre-reformer, wherein an inner wall of the second annular fuel passage is configured to form a lower plenum surrounded by the second annular fuel passage;
- and
- an annular anode exhaust passage surrounding at least a portion of the first annular fuel passage, the annular pre-reformer, and the second annular fuel passage, the annular anode exhaust passage thermally coupled to the first annular fuel passage and the second annular fuel passage such that an anode exhaust stream in the annular anode exhaust passage provides heat to the unreformed fuel stream in the first annular fuel passage and to the reformed fuel stream in the second annular fuel passage,
- wherein:
- an inner wall of the annular pre-reformer is configured to form a pre-reformer plenum surrounded by the annular pre-reformer;
- and
- the upper plenum, the pre-reformer plenum, and the lower plenum are in fluid communication.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.