US 7,311,986 B2 · Multi-function energy system operable as a fuel cell, reformer, or thermal plant

Abstract

An energy system including a converter disposed within a collection vessel for collecting exhaust generated by the converter for delivery, if desired, to a bottoming device, such as a gas turbine assembly. The converter can be operated as a reformer. The chemical converter may also be operated as an electrochemical device. When the converter is operated as a fuel cell, electrical energy is generated when supplied with hydrogen or a hydrocarbon fuels. When operated as an electrolytic cell, the electrical energy is consumed for the production of chemical feed stocks or media for storage. The energy system can also include or be used as a thermal plant for producing pressurized, superheated vapor, or a hot thermal fluid or gas medium for commercial, industrial or power generation uses.

Claims181

Dependent claims

An energy system for producing at least one of electricity, chemical stock, and a conditioned thermal medium, comprising

a collection vessel,
one or more converters disposed within the collection vessel,
a thermal control stack in thermal communication with the chemical converter and disposed within the collection vessel, wherein at least one of said converter and said thermal control stack generates exhaust, and said collection vessel is adapted to collect the exhaust, and
one or more sensors coupled to the collection vessel for monitoring a parameter of the exhaust to ensure safe operation of the system.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/415,453Filed 30 Oct 2001 · us provisional application

Priority

30 Oct 2000

Published

US 2004/0058230 A125 Mar 2004

Granted

25 Dec 2007

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification48 codes

H01M 8/04111
Of gaseous reactants: using a compressor turbine assembly
B01J 19/249
Reactors comprising multiple separated flow channels: plate-type reactors
C01B 3/382
Using catalysts: processes with two or more reaction steps, of which at least one is catalytic, e.g. steam reforming and partial oxidation
C01B 3/384
Using catalysts: with external heating of the catalyst

Multi-function energy system operable as a fuel cell, reformer, or thermal plant

Life of this patent

Multi-function energy system operable as a fuel cell, reformer, or thermal plant

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims181