Integrated electrical power and chemical production using fuel cells
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsPaul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
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Abstract
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.
Claims22
A method for producing electricity using a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode, the method comprising:
- introducing an anode fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel into the anode of the molten carbonate fuel cell, an internal reforming element associated with the anode of the molten carbonate fuel cell, or a combination thereof;
- introducing a cathode inlet stream comprising CO2 and O2 into the cathode of the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- generating electricity within the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- and
- generating an anode exhaust from an anode outlet of the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- wherein a ratio of net moles of syngas in the anode exhaust to moles of CO2 in a cathode exhaust is at least about 2.0, and wherein less than 10 vol % of the anode exhaust is directly or indirectly recycled to the cathode of the molten carbonate fuel cell.
A method for producing electricity using a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode, the method comprising:
- introducing an anode fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel into the anode of the molten carbonate fuel cell, an internal reforming element associated with the anode of the molten carbonate fuel cell, or a combination thereof;
- introducing a cathode inlet stream comprising CO2 and O2 into the cathode of the molten carbonate fuel cell, a CO2 concentration in the cathode inlet stream being about 6 vol % or less;
- generating electricity within the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- and
- generating an anode exhaust from an anode outlet of the molten carbonate fuel cell;
- wherein a ratio of net moles of syngas in the anode exhaust to moles of CO2 in a cathode exhaust is at least about 1.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.