Method for the simultaneous generation of electrical energy and heat for heating purposes

A method for the simultaneous generation of electrical energy and heat for heating purposes from a combustion gas comprised of one or more hydrocarbons as well as a gas mixture containing oxygen, by means of at least one gas burner and at least one stack of fuel cells, with an oxygen surplus having a stoichiometric ratio greater than approximately 3 with respect to the hydrocarbons being provided in the stack of fuel cells the method comprising,

• converting less than half of the combustion gas in the stack for the generation of electricity while producing a first exhaust gas;
• burning the remaining part of the combustion gas in the burner while producing a second exhaust gas;
• using the first exhaust gas at least partially as an oxygen source for the combustion;
• and gaining heat energy from the exhaust gases, with at least approximately half of the water contained in the exhaust gases being condensed out;
• wherein the two exhaust gases are mixed directly upon their leaving the stack of fuel cells and the burner respectively, the exhaust gas mixture being conducted into a heat exchanger in which heat for heating purposes is removed from the mixture while water vapor is condensed;
• and
• wherein subsequently a portion of the cooled mixture is conducted back to the burner for the combustion.