Integrated power generation and chemical production using solid oxide fuel cells
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsPaul J. Berlowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Anita S. Lee
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Abstract
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a solid oxide fuel cell at conditions that can improve or optimize the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting conventional conditions for maximizing the electrical efficiency of a fuel cell, the operating conditions can allow for output of excess synthesis gas and/or hydrogen in the anode exhaust of the fuel cell. The synthesis gas and/or hydrogen can then be used in a variety of applications, including chemical synthesis processes and collection of hydrogen for use as a fuel.
Claims18
A method for producing electricity, and hydrogen or syngas, using a solid oxide fuel cell having an anode and cathode, the method comprising:
- introducing a fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel having a reformable fuel surplus ratio of at least about 2.0 into the anode of the solid oxide fuel cell, a reforming stage associated with the anode of the solid oxide fuel cell, or a combination thereof;
- introducing a cathode inlet stream comprising O2 into the cathode of the solid oxide fuel cell;
- generating electricity within the solid oxide fuel cell;
- and
- withdrawing, from an anode exhaust, a gas stream comprising Hz, a gas stream comprising H2 and CO, or a combination thereof,
- wherein an electrical efficiency for the solid oxide fuel cell is between about 10% and about 50%, a total reformable fuel productivity for the solid oxide fuel cell is at least about 75 mW/cm2 and a total fuel cell productivity for the solid oxide fuel cell is at least about 150 mW/cm2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.