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US 7,067,208 B2Granted
Load matched power generation system including a solid oxide fuel cell and a heat pump and an optional turbine
AssigneeIon America Corporation
InventorsMatthias Gottmann, James F. McElroy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems which are capable of producing high-quality heat are used to drive refrigeration systems. The amount of electrical energy produced and the cooling capacity obtainable are well matched to electronic data center power and cooling needs. The power generation system includes a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a heat pump and an optional turbine.
Claims56
A power generation system, comprising:
- a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
- and
- a heat pump;
- wherein:
- the solid oxide fuel cell stack is adapted to provide electrical power for a data center and to provide high temperature heat to the heat pump;
- the heat pump is adapted to receive the high temperature heat from the solid oxide fuel cell stack to cool the data center;
- and
- an electrical power load provided by the solid oxide fuel cell stack and a cooling load on the heat pump are matched to requirements of the data center.
5 more elements
A power generation system comprising:
- a solid oxide fuel cell stack:
- a heat pump;
- a turbine;
- a heat sink;
- a fuel inlet;
- an oxidizer inlet;
- a fuel compressor;
- a first oxidizer compressor;
- a fuel preheater between the fuel inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- an oxidizer preheater between the oxidizer inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- a fuel outlet cooler;
- an oxidizer outlet cooler;
- a burner receiving fuel and oxidizer;
- a turbine exhaust heat exchanger;
- and
- a generator;
- wherein:
- the heat pump comprises a heat driven heat pump;
- an output of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to an inlet of the heat pump and an output of the heat pump is connected to the inlet of the turbine;
- the fuel preheater and the fuel outlet cooler comprise a single heat exchanger;
- the oxidizer preheater and the turbine exhaust heat exchanger comprise a single heat exchanger;
- and
- the oxidizer outlet cooler comprises a portion of a heat exchanger located in the heat driven heat pump.
20 more elements
A power generation system comprising:
- a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
- a heat pump;
- a turbine;
- a heat sink;
- a fuel inlet;
- an oxidizer inlet;
- a fuel compressor;
- a first oxidizer compressor;
- a fuel preheater between the fuel inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- an oxidizer preheater between the oxidizer inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- a fuel outlet cooler;
- an oxidizer outlet cooler;
- a burner receiving fuel and oxidizer;
- a turbine exhaust heat exchanger;
- and
- a generator;
- wherein:
- the heat pump comprises a heat driven heat pump;
- an output of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to an inlet of the heat pump and an output of the heat pump is connected to the inlet of the turbine;
- the fuel preheater and the turbine exhaust heat exchanger comprise a single heat exchanger;
- the oxidizer preheater and the oxidizer outlet cooler comprise a single heat exchanger;
- and
- the fuel outlet cooler comprises a portion of a heat exchanger located in the heat driven heat pump.
20 more elements
A power generation system comprising:
- a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
- a heat pump;
- a turbine;
- a heat sink;
- a fuel inlet;
- an oxidizer inlet;
- a fuel compressor;
- a first oxidizer compressor;
- a fuel preheater between the fuel inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- an oxidizer preheater between the oxidizer inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- a fuel outlet cooler;
- an oxidizer outlet cooler;
- a burner receiving fuel and oxidizer;
- a turbine exhaust heat exchanger;
- and
- a generator;
- wherein:
- the heat pump comprises a heat driven heat pump;
- an output of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to an inlet of the heat pump and an output of the heat pump is connected to the inlet of the turbine;
- and
- a first conduit connects an output of the heat driven heat pump and an input of the burner.
18 more elements
A power generation system comprising:
- a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
- a heat pump;
- a turbine;
- a heat sink;
- a fuel inlet;
- an oxidizer inlet;
- a fuel compressor;
- a first oxidizer compressor;
- a fuel preheater between the fuel inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- an oxidizer preheater between the oxidizer inlet and the fuel cell stack;
- a fuel outlet cooler;
- an oxidizer outlet cooler;
- a burner receiving fuel and oxidizer;
- a turbine exhaust heat exchanger;
- a generator;
- and
- a mechanical coupling which transmits mechanical energy from the turbine to the fuel compressor, the oxidizer compressor and the generator;
- wherein:
- the heat pump comprises a heat driven heat pump;
- and
- an output of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to an inlet of the heat pump and an output of the heat pump is connected to the inlet of the turbine.
18 more elements
A power generation method, comprising:
- providing electrical power from a solid oxide fuel cell stack to an appliance;
- providing high temperature heat from the solid oxide fuel cell stack to a heat pump;
- and
- cooling the appliance using the heat pump, wherein an electrical power load provided by the solid oxide fuel cell stack and a cooling load on the heat pump are matched to requirements of the appliance.
1 more element
A power generation method, comprising:
- providing electrical power from a solid oxide fuel cell stack to an appliance;
- providing high temperature heat from the solid oxide fuel cell stack to a heat pump;
- and
- heating the appliance using the heat pump, wherein an electrical power load provided by the solid oxide fuel cell stack and a heating load on the heat pump are matched to requirements of the appliance.
1 more element
A power generation system, comprising:
- a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
- and
- an absorption heat driven heat pump;
- wherein:
- the solid oxide fuel cell stack is adapted to provide electrical power for an appliance and to provide high temperature heat to the heat pump;
- and
- the heat pump is adapted to receive the high temperature heat from the solid oxide fuel cell stack to cool the appliance.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.