System integration of a steam reformer and fuel cell
AssigneeManufacturing and Technology Conversion International, Inc.
InventorsRavi Chandran, Momtaz N. Mansour
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel process and apparatus for power generation from biomass and other carbonaceous feedstocks are provided. The process integrates a pulse combustor steam reformer with a fuel cell to generate electricity such that (i) efficiencies are higher than those of conventional and emerging advanced power systems, and (ii) emissions are lower than those proposed by the new environmental regulations, i.e. one-tenth of the New Source Performance Standards. The pulse combustor steam reformer generates a hydrogen-rich, medium-Btu fuel gas that is electrochemically oxidized in the fuel cell to generate electricity. The apparatus may be configured to produce only power or combined heat and power.
Claims37
A process for producing electricity from carbonaceous materials comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluidized bed containing a particulate material and a fluidizing medium, said fluidizing medium comprising steam;
- combusting a fuel source in a combustion device to form a combustion stream, said combustion stream indirectly heating said fluidized bed;
- feeding a carbonaceous material to said fluidized bed, said fluidized bed being at a temperature sufficient for said carbonaceous material to endothermically react with said steam to form a product gas stream;
- feeding said product gas stream to a fuel cell, said fuel cell using said product gas stream to generate electricity;
- and
- feeding said product gas stream exiting said fuel cell to said combustion device for combustion therein.
A process as defined 1, wherein said carbonaceous material comprises wood.
A system for generating electricity from carbonaceous materials comprising:
- a fluidized bed, said fluidized bed being configured to receive steam for fluidizing a particulate material;
- a combustion device comprising a combustor coupled to at least one resonance tube, said resonance tube extending into said fluidized bed for indirectly heating said bed;
- a feed inlet for feeding a carbonaceous material to said fluidized bed, said fluidized bed being configured to reform at least a portion of said carbonaceous material and thereby form a product gas stream;
- a fuel cell in communication with said fluidized bed for receiving said product gas stream, said fuel cell including an electrolyte, said fuel cell being configured to react said product gas with said electrolyte in order to generate electricity;
- and
- a product gas line extending from said fuel cell to said combustion device, said product gas line for feeding said product gas exiting said fuel cell to said combustion device for combustion therein.
A process for producing electricity from carbonaceous materials containing black liquor comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluidized bed containing a particulate material and a fluidizing medium, said fluidizing medium comprising steam;
- pulse combusting a fuel source in a pulse combustion device to form a pulse combustion stream, said pulse combustion stream indirectly heating said fluidized bed;
- feeding waste materials to said fluidized bed, said waste materials containing black liquor, said fluidized bed being at a temperature sufficient for said black liquor to endothermically react with said steam to form a product gas stream;
- feeding said product gas stream to a fuel cell, said fuel cell including an electrolyte for reacting with said product gas stream in order to generate electricity;
- and
- feeding said product gas stream exiting said fuel cell to said pulse combustion device for combustion therein.
A process for producing electricity from wood comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluidized bed containing a particulate material and a fluidizing medium, said fluidizing medium comprising steam;
- pulse combusting a fuel source in a pulse combustion device to form a pulse combustion stream, said pulse combustion stream indirectly heating said fluidized bed;
- feeding wood materials to said fluidized bed, said fluidized bed being at a temperature sufficient for said wood materials to endothermically react with said steam to form a product gas stream;
- feeding said product gas stream to a fuel cell, said fuel cell including an electrolyte for reacting with said product gas stream in order to generate electricity;
- and
- feeding said product gas stream exiting said fuel cell to said pulse combustion device for combustion therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.