Hydrogen generation using a fuel cell system with an rep
AssigneeFuelCell Energy, Inc.
InventorsFred C. JAHNKE, Matthew Lambrech
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode configured to output cathode exhaust. The fuel cell is configured to generate waste heat. The fuel cell system further includes a reformer configured to partially reform a feed gas using the waste heat and output a hydrogen-containing stream. The fuel cell system further includes a reformer-electrolyzer-purifier (“REP”) having an REP anode configured to receive a first portion of the hydrogen-containing stream and an REP cathode.
Claims36
A fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel cell comprising:
- an anode;
- and
- a cathode configured to output cathode exhaust;
- and
- wherein the fuel cell is configured to generate waste heat;
- a reformer configured to partially reform a feed gas using the waste heat and output a hydrogen-containing stream;
- and
- a reformer-electrolyzer-purifier (“REP”) comprising:
- an REP anode configured to receive a first portion of the hydrogen-containing stream;
- and
- an REP cathode.
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A method of operating a fuel cell system comprising:
- providing a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode;
- providing a reformer;
- providing an REP having an REP anode and an REP cathode;
- generating waste heat from the fuel cell;
- heating feed gas with the waste heat, forming heated feed gas;
- partially reforming the heated feed gas in the reformer and outputting a hydrogen-containing stream;
- and
- feeding a first portion of the hydrogen-containing stream to the REP anode.
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A fuel cell system comprising:
- a feed system comprising:
- a water supply;
- and
- a fuel supply;
- wherein the feed system is configured to purify water from the water supply and fuel from the fuel supply;
- and
- wherein the feed system is configured to mix the water and fuel to form a hydrated feed gas;
- a fuel cell comprising:
- an anode configured to receive a first portion of the hydrated feed gas;
- and
- a cathode;
- and
- a reformer-electrolyzer-purifier (“REP”) comprising:
- an REP anode configured to receive a second portion of the hydrated feed gas;
- and
- an REP cathode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.