Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20100167134 | PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF NATURAL GAS TO HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS - A process for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons comprising heating the gas through a selected range of temperature for sufficient time and/or combustion of the gas at a sufficient temperature and under suitable conditions for a reaction time sufficient to convert a portion of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbon products, primarily ethylene or acetylene. The gas containing acetylene may be separated such that acetylene is converted to ethylene. The ethylene product(s) may be reacted in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a liquid, a portion of which will be predominantly naphtha or gasoline. A portion of the incoming natural gas or hydrogen produced in the process may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Reactive gas components are used in a catalytic liquefaction step and/or for alternate chemical processing. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167135 | PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF NATURAL GAS TO HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS - A process for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons comprising heating the gas through a selected range of temperature for sufficient time and/or combustion of the gas at a sufficient temperature and under suitable conditions for a reaction time sufficient to convert a portion of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbon products, primarily ethylene or acetylene. The gas containing acetylene may be separated such that acetylene is converted to ethylene. The ethylene product(s) may be reacted in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a liquid, a portion of which will be predominantly naphtha or gasoline. A portion of the incoming natural gas or hydrogen produced in the process may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Reactive gas components are used in a catalytic liquefaction step and/or for alternate chemical processing. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167136 | PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF NATURAL GAS TO HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS - A process for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons comprising heating the gas through a selected range of temperature for sufficient time and/or combustion of the gas at a sufficient temperature and under suitable conditions for a reaction time sufficient to convert a portion of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbon products, primarily ethylene or acetylene. The gas containing acetylene may be separated such that acetylene is converted to ethylene. The ethylene product(s) may be reacted in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a liquid, a portion of which will be predominantly naphtha or gasoline. A portion of the incoming natural gas or hydrogen produced in the process may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Reactive gas components are used in a catalytic liquefaction step and/or for alternate chemical processing. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167137 | PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF NATURAL GAS TO HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS - A process for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons comprising heating the gas through a selected range of temperature for sufficient time and/or combustion of the gas at a sufficient temperature and under suitable conditions for a reaction time sufficient to convert a portion of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbon products, primarily ethylene or acetylene. The gas containing acetylene may be separated such that acetylene is converted to ethylene. The ethylene product(s) may be reacted in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a liquid, a portion of which will be predominantly naphtha or gasoline. A portion of the incoming natural gas or hydrogen produced in the process may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Reactive gas components are used in a catalytic liquefaction step and/or for alternate chemical processing. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167138 | PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF NATURAL GAS TO HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS - A process for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons comprising heating the gas through a selected range of temperature for sufficient time and/or combustion of the gas at a sufficient temperature and under suitable conditions for a reaction time sufficient to convert a portion of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbon products, primarily ethylene or acetylene. The gas containing acetylene may be separated such that acetylene is converted to ethylene. The ethylene product(s) may be reacted in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a liquid, a portion of which will be predominantly naphtha or gasoline. A portion of the incoming natural gas or hydrogen produced in the process may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Reactive gas components are used in a catalytic liquefaction step and/or for alternate chemical processing. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167139 | PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF NATURAL GAS TO HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS - A process for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons comprising heating the gas through a selected range of temperature for sufficient time and/or combustion of the gas at a sufficient temperature and under suitable conditions for a reaction time sufficient to convert a portion of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbon products, primarily ethylene or acetylene. The gas containing acetylene may be separated such that acetylene is converted to ethylene. The ethylene product(s) may be reacted in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a liquid, a portion of which will be predominantly naphtha or gasoline. A portion of the incoming natural gas or hydrogen produced in the process may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Reactive gas components are used in a catalytic liquefaction step and/or for alternate chemical processing. | 07-01-2010 |
20100196770 | FUEL REFORMER CATALYST - A fuel reformer catalyst includes a substrate, and disposed thereon a carrier and combination of at least two metals selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ni, Ir, Pd, Pt, Au, and combinations thereof. Rh is present in the catalyst in an amount not exceeding about 0.5 wt. %, based on the total combined weight of the metals and carrier. | 08-05-2010 |
20100227235 | REFORMER AND INDIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL - To provide a reformer that uses a relatively inexpensive granular catalyst and can provide a more uniform temperature distribution in a catalyst bed while suppressing increase in the size of the reformer and the required power and size of an auxiliary machine, and a more compact indirect internal reforming high temperature fuel cell while suppressing increase in cost. A reformer that produces a hydrogen-containing gas from a hydrocarbon-based fuel by a steam reforming reaction has a reactor vessel and a reforming catalyst bed packed with a granular catalyst having steam reforming activity in the reactor vessel, the reformer has a partition plate that divides the reforming catalyst bed into at least two sections, the partition plate has a thermal conductivity higher than effective thermal conductivity of the catalyst bed, and the partition plate extends in the reactor vessel from a part which is at a higher temperature in a rated operation to a part which is at a lower temperature in rated operation. An indirect internal reforming high temperature fuel cell has the reformer and a high temperature fuel cell that generates electric power using a hydrogen-containing gas, and the reformer is disposed at a position where the reformer receives thermal radiation from the high temperature fuel cell. | 09-09-2010 |
20100279185 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STARTING UP THE SAME - Provided is a method for starting up a fuel cell system, in which reforming can be reliably performed from an early stage to more reliably prevent the oxidative degradation of the anode. A method for starting up a fuel cell system including a reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon-based fuel, and a high temperature fuel cell, wherein a) M flow rates F | 11-04-2010 |
20100285378 | PEM-SOFC HYBRID POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS - A hybrid fuel cell system comprising a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system, a hydrocarbon reformer and a hydrogen separator. A large PEM provides output power, such as motive power for a vehicle, using hydrogen storage that may be resupplied from a separate hydrogen refilling station or from the onboard reformer. The SOFC is preferably small and provides heat and exhaust water that, when recycled into the reformer, allow the reformer to operate endothermically without requiring atmospheric air, thus excluding nitrogen from the reformate stream. Alternatively, the reformer and SOFC are stationary at a base station and the PEM is aboard the vehicle. The SOFC and reformer have sufficient capacity to recharge hydrogen storage in the vehicle in a relatively short period of time, such as overnight. | 11-11-2010 |
20100330446 | HYDROGEN SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STARTING UP A HYDROGEN SYSTEM - A hydrogen system ( | 12-30-2010 |
20110027675 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING MODULAR DESIGN FEATURES - There is described a fuel cell power system including a fuel processor subsystem, a fuel cell subsystem, and a power conditioning subsystem. The fuel processor subsystem comprises a main module for producing hydrogen rich streams from a hydrocarbon fuel, a balance of plant module for auxiliary components, and a control and electronic module for monitoring and controlling the fuel processor subsystem. The fuel cell subsystem comprises a main module for generation of electric power and thermal energy from hydrogen rich streams produced by the fuel processor module and air, a balance of plant module for auxiliary components, and a control and electronic module for monitoring and controlling the fuel cell subsystem. Each module has individual components attached thereto, the modules being designed and manufactured separately and assembled together to form the respective subsystems. | 02-03-2011 |
20110027676 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF LOAD FOLLOWING OPERATION OF THE SAME - Provided is a method of load following operation of a fuel cell system in which reliable reforming and the prevention of flow blockage and anode degradation are possible. Functions F=f(P) and P=f | 02-03-2011 |
20110033759 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL - The present invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell, in particular for switching off a fuel cell. By means of the method according to the invention, a fuel cell may be stored in a better way, a defined low chemical potential being applied to both electrodes. | 02-10-2011 |
20110039174 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOAD FOLLOWING OPERATION OF THE SAME - Provided is a method for load following operation of a fuel cell system in which reliable reforming and the prevention of flow blockage and anode degradation are possible. The correspondence between cell outputs P | 02-17-2011 |
20110039175 | METHOD FOR OPERATING INDIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - Provided is a method for operating an indirect internal reforming SOFC system, in which the temperature of a reformer can be maintained stably and suitably. A method for operating an indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell system including a reformer including a reforming catalyst layer, for producing a reformed gas from a hydrocarbon-based fuel, a solid oxide fuel cell for generating electric power using the reformed gas obtained in the reformer, and a combustion region for combusting an anode off-gas discharged from the solid oxide fuel cell, wherein the reformer is disposed at a position where the reformer can receive combustion heat generated in the combustion region, the method including the step of controlling the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer by changing the electric power generation output value of the solid oxide fuel cell. | 02-17-2011 |
20110053020 | CATALYSTS AND RELATED METHODS - Nanostructured catalysts and related methods are described. The nanostructured catalysts have a hierarchical structure that facilitates modification of the catalysts for use in particular reactions. Methods for generating hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing molecular species using a nanostructured catalyst are described. The hydrogen gas may be collected and stored, or the hydrogen gas may be collected and consumed for the generation of energy. Thus, the methods may be used as part of the operation of an energy-consuming device or system, e.g., an engine or a fuel cell. Methods for storing hydrogen by using a nanostructured catalyst to react a dehydrogenated molecular species with hydrogen gas to form a hydrogen-containing molecular species are also described. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053021 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR REFORMING FUEL - A method and an arrangement for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel such as dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, ethanol, propanol, or any variants or other oxidized fuels is disclosed for generating hydrogen especially for supplying a fuel cell. Furthermore, a fuel cell system is disclosed which includes such an arrangement, especially for providing power to a stationary or mobile power consuming unit like especially an auxiliary power unit (APU) for application in aircraft, ships and vehicles, or as a part of a hybrid drive or as a sole driving unit for, e.g., a ship or a vehicle. | 03-03-2011 |
20110111315 | SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES OF OPERATING FUEL CELL SYSTEMS - The present invention is directed to systems and processes for operating molten carbonate fuel cell systems. A process for operating the molten carbonate fuel cell includes providing a hydrogen-containing stream comprising molecular hydrogen to a molten carbonate fuel cell anode; heating a hydrocarbon stream, at least a majority of which is comprised of hydrocarbons that are liquid at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure, with a heat source comprising an anode exhaust from the molten carbonate fuel cell anode; contacting at least a portion of the heated hydrocarbon stream with a catalyst to produce a steam reforming feed comprising gaseous hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and at least one carbon oxide; separating at least a portion of the molecular hydrogen from the steam reforming feed; and providing at least a portion of the separated molecular hydrogen to the molten carbonate fuel cell anode as at least a portion of the stream comprising molecular hydrogen. | 05-12-2011 |
20110117461 | HYDROGEN GENERATION DEVICE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM PROVIDED THEREWITH - A hydrogen generation device or a fuel cell system of the present invention can prevent deterioration or breakage of portions of the hydrogen generation device, which is caused by thermal stress attributable to repeated operation and halt. Thus, it is possible to increase the life and enhance the stability of the device and the system. | 05-19-2011 |
20110165483 | REFORMER - A reformer includes a reforming chamber having a raw fuel passage through which a raw fuel flows, the reforming chamber being filled with or carrying a reforming catalyst, a supply chamber disposed upstream of the reforming chamber, for uniformly supplying the raw fuel to the raw fuel passage, and a discharge chamber disposed downstream of the reforming chamber, for uniformly discharging the raw fuel from the raw fuel passage. The raw fuel passage has first and second reversers for reversing the direction in which the raw fuel flows. The raw fuel passage has a cross-sectional area which is smaller in a downstream portion thereof than in an upstream portion thereof. | 07-07-2011 |
20110177410 | PROCESS AND REACTOR FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE AND A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbonaceous feed-stock, comprising: a) supplying a gaseous hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and steam to a reaction zone comprising a steam reforming catalyst and catalytically reforming the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce a reformed gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide; b) supplying a molecular oxygen-comprising gas to the permeate side of a first hydrogen separation membrane; c) contacting a part of the hydrogen with a first hydrogen separation membrane, allowing the hydrogen to permeate through the first hydrogen separation membrane and combusting the hydrogen with the molecular oxygen at a permeate side of the first hydrogen separation membrane to produce all heat necessary for catalytic reforming the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock; d) contacting the remainder of the hydrogen with a second hydrogen separation membrane, which is separate from the first hydrogen separation membrane, and allowing the hydrogen to permeate through the second hydrogen separation membrane to obtain a first effluent comprising a substantially pure stream of hydrogen; and e) removing a stream rich in carbon dioxide from the reaction zone as a second effluent. The invention further related to a reactor for such process and to a fuel cell system comprising in series such reactor and a fuel cell. | 07-21-2011 |
20110189565 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR, FUEL CELL POWER GENERATING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR STOPPING HYDROGEN GENERATOR - Disclosed is a hydrogen generator which comprises a reformer ( | 08-04-2011 |
20110189566 | INDIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR SHUTTING DOWN THE SAME - Provided is a method for stopping an indirect internally reforming SOFC with which a hydrocarbon fuel is reformed reliably and it is possible to prevent oxidative degradation of the anode by the reformed gas. This is a method of stopping an indirect internally reforming SOFC which has a reformer, an SOFC, a combustion zone in which the anode off-gas from the SOFC is burned and a frame which houses the reformer, the SOFC and the combustion zone, and if the flow rate of the fuel which is being supplied to the reformer in the state where fuel is being reformed in the reformer with the anode temperature normal and below the oxidative degradation point and reformed gas of a composition which is suitable for being supplied to the anode is being produced and the amount being produced is above the minimum flow rate required to prevent anode oxidative degradation in the case where the anode temperature is above the oxidative degradation point is FE, and the flow rate of the fuel being supplied to the reformer when the stopping method is started is FS, the method has a step in which the flow rate of the fuel which is being supplied to the reformer is changed from FS to FE and a step in which the supply of fuel to the reformer is stopped after the anode temperature has dropped below the oxidative degradation point. An indirect internally reforming SOFC which is ideal for this method. | 08-04-2011 |
20110189567 | High Temperature Fuel Cell System and Method of Operating the Same - A high temperature fuel cell stack system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, with an improved balance of plant efficiency includes a thermally integrated reformer, combustor and the fuel cell stack. | 08-04-2011 |
20110200898 | METHOD OF SUPPLYING REFORMATE TO AN ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICE - A device and method for producing a reformate fuel from a hydrocarbon gas source. The invention enables the conversion of a dilute hydrocarbon gas into a more easily consumable reformate fuel. Gases having low concentrations of hydrocarbons are concentrated using a concentrator into a gaseous or liquid concentrated VOC fuel. The concentrated VOC fuel is then converted into a reformate using a reformer. The reformate is more easily consumed by an energy conversion device such as a combustion engine, fuel cell, sterling engine or similar device that converts chemical energy into kinetic or electrical energy. The reformer enables complex hydrocarbon fuels that are not normally suitable for use in an energy conversion device to be converted into a reformate. The reformate may be directly supplied into the energy conversion device. | 08-18-2011 |
20110212375 | HYDROGEN GENERATOR AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING THE SAME - A hydrogen generator of the present invention includes a reformer ( | 09-01-2011 |
20120015266 | CATALYST FOR A PROCESS FOR OBTAINING HYDROGEN THROUGH REFORMING HYDROCARBONS WITH STEAM, PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE CATALYST AND USE THEREOF IN THE PROCESS - The present invention relates to a catalyst for producing gaseous hydrogen current or hydrogen-rich currents through hydrocarbon reforming with water vapor. Said catalyst comprises at least one support, an active phase and at least two promoting agents, and is characterized in that it is a metal-type-supported solid in which the active phase comprises at least one transition metal chosen from group VIII, and at least one promoting agent chosen from the alkaline-earth or transition metals; and the support comprises at least one mixed oxide with a basic nature, and at least one promoting agent chosen from among the lanthanides group. The invention also has as an object the process for preparing the catalyst, as well as its use in the process for obtaining the hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gas from hydrocarbons, in different operating conditions and using various types of hydrocarbons. The catalyst to which this invention pertains has elevated activity and selectivity toward the gasification of hydrocarbons, as well as a high resistance to various deactivation mechanisms which the catalyst undergoes during the reforming process with water vapor. | 01-19-2012 |
20120028145 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN FROM HYDROCARBON FUEL - An arrangement and a method are provided for generating hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuel, wherein hydrocarbon fuel is supplied to a fuel reformer for producing hydrogen rich gas including hydrogen, carbon monoxide and possibly unconverted fuel compounds, wherein the amount of carbon monoxide and/or the unconverted fuel compounds is reduced with the help of a molten salt reactor arranged downstream the fuel reformer. An auxiliary power unit including such an arrangement is also provided. | 02-02-2012 |
20120058406 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL - Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell. The solid oxide fuel cell | 03-08-2012 |
20120077101 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system ( | 03-29-2012 |
20120088169 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes n fuel cell modules and a control device for controlling the power generation amount of each of the fuel cell modules. An m-th fuel cell module of the fuel cell system includes an m-th exhaust gas discharge channel for discharging an exhaust gas from the m-th fuel cell module, and an m-th exhaust gas supply channel branched from the m-th exhaust gas discharge channel, for supplying the exhaust gas from the m-th fuel cell module to an (m+1)-th fuel cell module for warming up the (m+1)-th fuel cell module. | 04-12-2012 |
20120100447 | Method for Operating a High-Temperature Fuel Cell - In a method for operating a high-temperature fuel cell, which in normal mode of generating electrical power is supplied with liquid fuel, preferably diesel oil, and is preceded on the anode side by a reformer for liquid fuel, where at least part of the hot anode exhaust gas is recirculated into the anode circuit via a recirculation line. Upstream of a compressor preceding the reformer the liquid fuel is sprayed or injected into the hot anode exhaust gas, the quantity of air needed for reforming the liquid fuel being added to the mixture of anode exhaust gas and fuel. On change-over from normal operational mode to standby mode without power generation, the supply of liquid fuel and air is stopped and the gas mixture present in the anode circuit be permanently circulated. A defined amount of air being introduced into the anode circuit in order to remove deposits and contaminations in the high-temperature fuel cell following standby operation. | 04-26-2012 |
20120107708 | FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THEREOF - A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell. | 05-03-2012 |
20120129064 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY AN AUTOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGER PACKED-BED MEMBRANE GAS REFORMER - A process for producing hydrogen from natural gas, said process comprises the steps of: (i) providing an autothermal heat exchanger packed-bed membrane reformer (APBMR) comprising: (a) an elongated external gas oxidation compartment comprising an inlet, an outlet and packed oxidation catalyst particles, said inlet and outlet being located each at one extremity of said external gas oxidation compartment; (b) an elongated internal gas steam-reforming compartment comprising an inlet, an outlet and packed steam-reforming catalyst particles, said inlet and outlet being located each at one extremity of said internal gas steam-reforming compartment; (c) one or more hydrogen-separating membrane(s) positioned in said steam-reforming compartment substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said steam-reforming compartment; (d) one insulation layer surrounding said external compartment; and, optionally, (e) one or more elongated internal gas oxidation compartment(s) positioned in said steamreforming compartment substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said gas steam-reforming internal compartment, and comprising an inlet, an outlet and packed oxidation catalyst particles, said inlet and outlet being located each at an extremity of said internal gas oxidation compartment(s); (ii) supplying a mixture comprising said natural gas and air to said gas oxidation compartment(s) of said reformer; and (iii) supplying a mixture comprising said natural gas and water to said gas steam-reforming compartment, wherein the water-to-gas molar ratio | 05-24-2012 |
20120141894 | STEAM REFORMER WITH RECUPERATIVE HEAT EXCHANGER - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to temperature distribution in a reaction chamber of a steam reformer. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising a central chamber through which feed gas flows, a reaction chamber surrounding the central chamber and having an inner wall and an outer wall, and a recuperative heat exchanger disposed between the inner wall of the reaction chamber and the central chamber. | 06-07-2012 |
20120171589 | METHOD FOR LOAD FOLLOWING OPERATION OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM - Two or more methods selected among a steam reforming method, a partial oxidation reforming method, and an autothermal reforming method are defined as i-th reforming method. Functions Fi=fi(P), P=fi-1(Fi), and ηi=gi(P) are obtained in advance. If there is a number i which satisfies FiR≧Fimin, the following process (1) is performed when PD≦P is satisfied, and the following process (2) is performed when PD>PiM is satisfied. In the process (1), if fi(PD)≦FiR is satisfied, Pi*=PD and Fi*=fi(PD), and if fi(PD)>FiR is satisfied, Pi*=(the maximum fi-1(MR) which is less than PD) and Fi*=FiR. In the process (2), if fi(PiM)≦FiP, is satisfied, Pi*=PiM and Fi*=fi(PiM), and if fi(PiM)>FiR is satisfied Pi*=(the maximum fi-1(FiR)) and Fi*=FiR. If there are a plurality of numbers i which satisfy FiR≧Fimin. P1*, a reforming method, and F1*, which relate to the number i which provides the maximal ηi=gi(Pi*), are adopted. | 07-05-2012 |
20120270124 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that generates power using an oxidant gas and a fuel gas; estimating means for estimating an electric resistance of the fuel cell in accordance with a voltage and a current of the fuel cell; and temperature controlling means for performing control to raise a temperature of the fuel cell when the electric resistance estimated by the estimating means exceeds a target electric resistance range and reduce the temperature of the fuel cell when the estimated electric resistance falls below the target electric resistance range. | 10-25-2012 |
20130011758 | INDIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell system includes an indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell that has a first reformer which produces a reformed gas from a hydrocarbon-based fuel by using a steam reforming reaction, a solid oxide fuel cell which generates electric power by using the reformed gas obtained in the first reformer, and a container which houses the first reformer and the solid oxide fuel cell, the first reformer being disposed in a position to receive heat radiation from the solid oxide fuel cell; a second reformer which is disposed outside the container and produces a reformed gas by reforming a hydrocarbon-based fuel; and a line which leads the reformed gas obtained in the second reformer from the second reformer to an anode of the solid oxide fuel cell. | 01-10-2013 |
20130011759 | METHOD FOR SHUTTING DOWN INDIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL - Provided is a method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC, in which reliable reforming, prevention of anode oxidative degradation, fuel saving and time saving are possible. Reforming catalyst layer temperature T is measured, and FkCALC is calculated; when FkCALC≧FkE, T is measured, and FkCALC and FkMinCALC are calculated; if FkMinCALC≧FkE, then the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the reformer is set to FkE and the method moves on to step D; if FkCALC≦FkMinCALC01-10-2013 | |
20130040216 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEMS WITH HOT ZONES HAVING IMPROVED REACTANT DISTRIBUTION - A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system having a hot zone with a center cathode air feed tube for improved reactant distribution, a CPDX reactor attached at the anode feed end of the hot zone with a tail gas combustor at the opposing end for more uniform heat distribution, and a counter-flow heat exchanger for efficient heat retention. | 02-14-2013 |
20130065144 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION APPARATUS AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A hydrogen production apparatus includes a preferential oxidation unit that preferentially oxidizes carbon monoxide in a reformed gas containing hydrogen, a vaporization flow path that passes water to generate steam, and a gas flow path through which the reformed gas passes. The gas flow path is arranged between the preferential oxidation unit and the vaporization flow path. The reformed gas passes through the gas flow path and thereafter flows into the preferential oxidation unit. | 03-14-2013 |
20130065145 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION APPARATUS AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A hydrogen production apparatus includes a burner, a combustion tube provided so as to surround flame of the burner a reforming unit provided as to surround the tube, an exhaust gas flow path provided so as to pass through between the tube and the unit, fold back at the other side of the unit, and extend through outside of the unit on a predetermined side, a low temperature shift unit provided on one of inside and outside of an extending portion of the flow path that extends on the predetermined side so as to extend along the extending portion, and a preferential oxidation unit provided on the other of the inside and the outside of the extending portion so as to extend along the extending portion. | 03-14-2013 |
20130071764 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STEAM REFORMING - One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method for operating a fuel cell system. Another embodiment is a unique system for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel. Another embodiment is a unique fuel cell system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fuel cell systems and steam reforming systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. | 03-21-2013 |
20130130139 | THERMAL MANAGEMENT IN A FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack comprising multiple arrays of one or more fuel cells, each comprising an electrolyte layer, an anode layer and a cathode layer; gas separator plates between adjacent fuel cells; and oxidant gas distribution passages and fuel gas distribution passages between adjacent fuel cells; and gas separators opening to the cathode layers and the anode layers, respectively, of the fuel cells. The fuel cell arrays comprise at least first stage fuel cell arrays having associated first fuel gas distribution passages to receive fuel gas from one or more fuel gas supply manifolds and second stage fuel cell arrays having associated second fuel gas distribution passages which receive fuel exhaust from the fuel cells of the first stage fuel cell arrays. The second stage fuel cell arrays are interleaved in the stack between first stage fuel cell arrays to improve thermal gradients. Other interleaving arrangements are possible. | 05-23-2013 |
20130189599 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - A power generation system includes: a fuel cell ( | 07-25-2013 |
20130252122 | POWER GENERATOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power generator according to the present invention includes a fuel cell system ( | 09-26-2013 |
20130302709 | METHOD FOR ADDING SULFUR TO A FUEL CELL STACK SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED FUEL CELL STABILITY - A method is provided for adding sulfur to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack having a Ni—YSZ anode to prolong the life of the SOFC stack. The method includes the steps of providing a reformate stream essentially free of sulfur compounds, feeding the reformate stream to the SOFC stack, and adding a predetermined amount of a sulfur compound into the reformate stream upstream of the SOFC stack. The predetermined amount of the sulfur compound is effective to prolong the life of the Ni—YSZ anode by retarding the formation of carbon onto the Ni—YSZ anode and the coarsening of the granular microstructure of the Ni—YSZ anode, while minimizing the degradation of power output of the SOFC stack within a predetermined limit. | 11-14-2013 |
20130344409 | MULTI-FUEL COMBUSTOR WITH SWIRL FLAME STABILIZATION - A combustor for generating and supplying hot combustion gases to a fuel reformer includes an annular passage defined by a swirler having a central hub and an outer wall. One or more vanes are disposed in the annular passage to impart angular momentum to a gas flowing axially through the annular passage. At least one opening is defined in the central hub for introducing a first fuel into the annular passage, and at least one opening is defined in the outer wall in for introducing a second fuel into the annular passage. In a further aspect of the invention, the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the outer wall is a gaseous fuel, for example effluent gas from a fuel cell, and the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the central hub is a vaporized liquid fuel, for example vaporized diesel fuel. | 12-26-2013 |
20140017583 | PROCESS OF REFORMING A SULFUR-CONTAINING LIQUID FUEL - A process of reforming a liquid fuel comprising from greater than 50 ppmw sulfur to less than 400 ppmw sulfur, the process comprising contacting a liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprising one or more organosulfur compounds in a concentration from greater than 50 ppmw to less than 400 ppmw sulfur with an oxidant and steam or water, the contacting occurring in a catalyst bed comprising a reforming catalyst deposited on an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate, such that the process is conducted at a peak catalyst temperature greater than 950° C. so as to produce a reformate mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. | 01-16-2014 |
20140023946 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - To provide a fuel cell device capable of extending the years of service life of a reformer by suppressing thermal runaways. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device, including a fuel cell module having fuel cell units; a reformer disposed above the fuel cell units, for producing hydrogen by a partial oxidation reforming reaction and a steam reforming reaction; a vaporizing chamber disposed adjacent to the reformer; a combustion chamber for heating the vaporization chamber; a water supply device; an electrical generation oxidant gas supply device; and a controller for raising the fuel cell units to a temperature at which electrical generation is possible; whereby over the entire period of the startup step, the reforming oxidant gas supply device and water supply device are controlled so that partial oxidation reforming reactions do not occur independently in the reformer. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023947 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - To provide a fuel cell device capable of extending the years of service life of a reformer by suppressing thermal runaways. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device, including a fuel cell module having multiple fuel cell units; a reformer disposed above the fuel cell units, for producing hydrogen by a partial oxidation reforming reaction and a steam reforming reaction; a vaporizing chamber disposed adjacent to the reformer; a combustion chamber for heating the vaporization chamber; a water supply device; a supply device for oxidant gas for electrical generation; and a controller for raising the fuel cell unit to a temperature at which electrical generation is possible; wherein fuel electrodes in each individual fuel cell unit are constituted to act as catalysts for a shift reaction, and the controller executes only the ATR step and SR step in the reformer. | 01-23-2014 |
20140030620 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells for generating electricity by electrochemical reactions of a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas, a reformer for reforming a mixed gas of a raw fuel and water vapor, an evaporator for supplying water vapor to the reformer, a heat exchanger for raising the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas by heat exchange with a combustion gas, an exhaust gas combustor for producing the combustion gas, and a start-up combustor for producing the combustion gas. The exhaust gas combustor is provided integrally in the heat exchanger. The start-up combustor is provided adjacent to one end of the heat exchanger. | 01-30-2014 |
20140038071 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes an oxygen-containing gas regulator valve for distributing and supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the heat exchanger and to the start-up combustor, a raw fuel regulator valve for distributing and supplying the raw fuel to the reformer and to the start-up combustor, and a control device. The control device includes an oxygen-containing gas distribution controller for controlling the oxygen-containing gas regulator valve and a raw fuel distribution controller for controlling the raw fuel regulator valve, each control thereof being performed at least based on any of the temperature of the fuel cell stack, the temperature of the reformer, and the temperature of the evaporator. | 02-06-2014 |
20140045085 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a partial oxidation reformer for reforming a mixed gas of a raw fuel and an oxygen-containing gas, a steam reformer for reforming a mixed gas of the raw fuel and water vapor, an evaporator for supplying water vapor to the steam reformer, a heat exchanger for raising the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas by heat exchange with a combustion gas, and an exhaust gas combustor for producing the combustion gas. A fuel gas discharge chamber of the steam reformer is connected to a fuel gas supply passage of the fuel cell stack through a fuel gas channel, a fuel gas outlet of the partial oxidation reformer is connected to a mixed gas supply chamber of the steam reformer through a fuel gas pipe, and a water vapor pipe extending from the evaporator is merged to the fuel gas pipe. | 02-13-2014 |
20140051000 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system control device includes a carbon amount determination unit for determining the carbon amount in fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell stack depending on required output of the stack, a temperature detector unit for detecting temperature of a steam reformer and temperature of an evaporator, an S/C determination unit for determining a range of steam/carbon ratio based on the temperature of the steam reformer, a water supply amount determination unit for determining a range of the water supply amount to the evaporator based on the carbon amount and the steam/carbon ratio, an evaporator operating state determination unit for determining whether the temperature of the evaporator is a temperature determined based on the range of the water supply amount, and a reformer control unit for controlling the steam reformer and a partial oxidation reformer based on the result of the evaporator operating state determination unit. | 02-20-2014 |
20140057188 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM CONTAINING ANODE TAIL GAS OXIDIZER AND HYBRID HEAT EXCHANGER / REFORMER - A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger. The fuel heat exchanger is thermally integrated with an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) exhaust conduit such that in operation an ATO exhaust stream in the ATO exhaust conduit heats a fuel inlet stream passing through the heat exchanger. | 02-27-2014 |
20140065501 | NON-CATALYTIC HYDROGEN GENERATION PROCESS FOR DELIVERY TO A HYDRODESULFURIZATION UNIT AND A SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMBINATION FOR AUXILIARY POWER UNIT APPLICATION - A non-catalytic hydrogen generation process is provided that supplies hydrogen to a hydrodesulfurization unit and a solid oxide fuel cell system combination, suitable for auxiliary power unit application. The non-catalytic nature of the process enables use of sulfur containing feedstock for generating hydrogen which is needed to process the sulfur containing feed to specifications suitable for the solid oxide fuel cell. Also, the non-catalytic nature of the process with fast dynamic characteristics is specifically applicable for startup and shutdown purposes that are typically needed for mobile applications. | 03-06-2014 |
20140080021 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a partial oxidation reformer for reforming a mixed gas of a raw fuel and an oxygen-containing gas, an exhaust gas combustor for combusting a fuel exhaust gas and an oxygen-containing exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack thereby to produce a combustion gas, and a heat exchanger for raising the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas by heat exchange with the combustion gas. The heat exchanger is provided on one side of the fuel cell stack, and the partial oxidation reformer and the exhaust gas combustor are provided on the other side of the fuel cell stack. The partial oxidation reformer is provided so as to surround the exhaust gas combustor. | 03-20-2014 |
20140087281 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STEAM REFORMING - One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method for operating a fuel cell system. Another embodiment is a unique system for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel. Another embodiment is a unique fuel cell system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fuel cell systems and steam reforming systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. | 03-27-2014 |
20140093800 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell | 04-03-2014 |
20140106250 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STARTING UP THE SAME - A fuel cell system may include a reformer having a reforming catalyst layer; a high temperature fuel cell for generating electric power; a reforming catalyst layer temperature measuring means; a reforming catalyst layer temperature increasing means; and a control means for calculating a flow rate of the hydrocarbon-based fuel that can be reformed in the reforming catalyst layer, based on the measured temperature of the reforming catalyst layer, and for controlling the hydrocarbon-based fuel supplied to the reforming catalyst layer to flow at the calculated flow rate, and being able to increase a feed rate of the hydrocarbon-based fuel to the reforming catalyst layer, while repeatedly operating the fuel flow rate calculating function and the fuel flow rate controlling function, until the feed rate of the hydrocarbon-based fuel to the reforming catalyst layer becomes a flow rate at completion of start-up. | 04-17-2014 |
20140154598 | Non-Propulsive Miniature Power Device Based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Combustion-Driven Thermal Transpiration Pump - The present invention relates to a power device and, more particularly, to a non-propulsive thermal transpiration based micro single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SCSOFC) power device. | 06-05-2014 |
20140162155 | DERIVATION OF CONTROL PARAMETERS OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL OPERATION - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization. | 06-12-2014 |
20140178782 | GARBAGE IN POWER OUT (GIPO) THERMAL CONVERSION PROCESS - A system for gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock, such as municipal waste, to generate power includes a devolatilization reactor that creates char from the feedstock and a gasifier that creates a product gas from both the char and from volatiles released when devolatilizing the feedstock. The product gas is reacted in a fuel cell to create electrical energy and process heat. The process heat is used to heat the devolatilization reactor and the gasifier. The gasifier comprises a plurality of configurable circuits that can each be tuned to meet the individual needs of the char material being gasified. | 06-26-2014 |
20140220464 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a partial oxidation reformer, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is provided on one side of the fuel cell stack, and the partial oxidation reformer and the exhaust gas combustor are provided on the other side of the fuel cell stack. The partial oxidation reformer is provided around the exhaust gas combustor. The fuel cell module includes a first thermoelectric converter and a second thermoelectric converter for performing thermoelectric conversion based on a temperature difference between the combustion gas and the oxygen-containing gas. | 08-07-2014 |
20140242484 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area disposed around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area disposed around the second area where a reformer is provided, and an annular fourth area disposed around the third area where an evaporator is provided. The fuel cell module includes a first partition plate having first combustion gas holes, a second partition plate having second combustion gas holes, and a third partition plate having third combustion gas holes. | 08-28-2014 |
20140242485 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area disposed around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area disposed around the second area where a reformer is provided, and an annular fourth area disposed around the third area where an evaporator is provided. In the first area, the exhaust gas combustor and the start-up combustor are provided coaxially in the same space. | 08-28-2014 |
20140255809 | INDIRECT INTERNAL REFORMING SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR SHUTTING DOWN THE SAME - Provided is a method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC, in which a hydrocarbon-based fuel is reliably reformed, and the oxidative degradation of the anode can be prevented by a reformed gas. A method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC including a reformer; an SOFC; a combustion region for combusting the anode off-gas of the SOFC; and an enclosure for housing the reformer, the SOFC, and the combustion region, wherein the method includes causing the flow rate of a fuel supplied to the reformer to become FE from FS; and stopping the supply of the fuel to the reformer when an anode temperature becomes lower than the oxidative degradation temperature, where FE represents a flow rate of the fuel supplied to the reformer in a state in which the anode temperature is steady and lower than the oxidative degradation temperature, in which in the reformer the fuel is reformed and a reformed gas with a composition suitable to be supplied to an anode is produced, and in which an amount of the reformed gas produced is equal to or more than the requisite minimum flow rate for preventing the oxidative degradation of the anode when the anode temperature is a temperature equal to or higher than the oxidative degradation temperature, and FS represents a flow rate of the fuel supplied to the reformer at the start of the shutdown method. Also provided is an indirect internal reforming SOFC appropriate for this method. | 09-11-2014 |
20140287333 | CONVERSION OF C-O-H COMPOUNDS INTO HYDROGEN FOR POWER OR HEAT GENERATION - Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power. | 09-25-2014 |
20140342256 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING AN ADJUSTABLE GAS COMPOSITION FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATION - A method for producing an adjustable gas composition to be used as an anode gas for a fuel cell, such as a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), is performed in a system comprising (a) a fuel processing unit ( | 11-20-2014 |
20140342257 | FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR RUNNING EACH - To stably supply a gaseous fuel by setting a calorific value as a management value even if a composition of the fuel varies. A composition-independent flow meter | 11-20-2014 |
20140356744 | ENERGY STORAGE AND CONVERSION WITH HOT CARBON DEPOSITION - In one aspect, a method to convert a fuel into energy and specialized fuel includes, in a reactor, dissociating a fuel to produce hot carbon and hydrogen, the hot carbon having a temperature state in a range of 700 to 1500° C., in which the dissociating includes providing heat and/or electric energy to produce the hot carbon and the hydrogen; and removing the hot carbon and the hydrogen from the reactor, the removing including depositing the hot carbon to a chamber, in which the hot carbon includes an increased chemical potential energy and is capable of storing energy from an external source. In some implementations, the method can further include supplying an oxygen- and hydrogen-containing reactant to contact the hot carbon to produce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H | 12-04-2014 |
20140377678 | FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR RUNNING EACH - To allow the supply of an appropriate amount of gaseous fuel even if the composition of the gaseous fuel varies. A composition-independent flow meter | 12-25-2014 |
20150044588 | PLASMA-CATALYZED, THERMALLY-INTEGRATED REFORMER FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEMS - A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation. | 02-12-2015 |
20150044589 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided, and a first partition member provided between the first area and the second area. The first partition member has a combustion gas hole for allowing the combustion gas to flow from the first area to the second area. A baffle circular member is provided inside the first partition member, between the exhaust gas combustor and the start-up combustor. | 02-12-2015 |
20150050573 | FUEL CELL MODULE WITH HEAT EXCHANGER - A heat exchanger of a fuel cell module includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes connected to an oxygen-containing gas supply chamber at one end, and connected to an oxygen-containing gas discharge chamber at the other end. An end of an oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe for guiding the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas supply chamber is provided in the oxygen-containing gas supply chamber. A plurality of first inlet holes extend through the oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe in an axial direction, and a plurality of second inlet holes extend through the oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe radially. The total area of openings of the first inlet holes is smaller than the total area of openings of the second inlet holes. | 02-19-2015 |
20150086888 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING COMPOSITION OF GAS FUEL, DEVICE FOR DETERMINING COMPOSITION OF GAS FUEL, FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To determine a composition of a hydrocarbon-based gaseous fuel to be supplied to a supply target by a fuel supply device. A speed of sound in the gaseous fuel is measured using an ultrasonic flow meter ( | 03-26-2015 |
20150111121 | PRE-REFORMER FOR SELECTIVE REFORMATION OF HIGHER HYDROCARBONS - Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system. | 04-23-2015 |
20150147668 | Sweep Membrane Separator and Fuel Processing Systems - A sweep membrane separator includes a membrane that is selectively permeable to a selected gas, the membrane including a retentate side and a permeate side. A mixed gas stream including the selected gas enters the sweep membrane separator and contacts the retentate side of the membrane. At least part of the selected gas separates from the mixed gas stream and passes through the membrane to the permeate side of the membrane. The mixed gas stream, minus the separated gas, exits the sweep membrane separator. A sweep gas at high pressure enters the sweep membrane separator and sweeps the selected gas from the permeate side of the membrane. A mixture of the sweep gas and the selected gas exits the sweep membrane separator at high pressure. The sweep membrane separator thereby separates the selected gas from the gas mixture and pressurizes the selected gas. | 05-28-2015 |
20150147669 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided. A plurality of heat exchange pipes are provided in the heat exchanger around a first partition plate. At least one of the heat exchange pipes has at least one constricted portion. | 05-28-2015 |
20150295253 | Compact design of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell power generation system - An apparatus of power generation is provided. The apparatus uses a stack of dense solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The exhaust gas generated by a burner of the apparatus enters into the SOFC stack for heating. At the same time, the SOFC stack is heated by the thermal radiation and heat transfer of the burner as well as the thermal convection of gases between the anode and the cathode. Thus, the SOFC stack is heated to reach an operating temperature for generating power without any additional electroheat device. The present invention has a simple structure, flexible operation. Moreover, it increased efficiency, reduced pollutant emission with lowered costs of equipment and operation. | 10-15-2015 |
20150295259 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack and FC peripheral equipment. The fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, a second area where a reformer and an evaporator are provided, and a third area where a heat exchanger is provided. A stress relaxing portion for relaxing heat stress is provided at least along a border between the first area and the second area, along a border between the second area and the third area, or along an outermost circumferential portion of the third area. | 10-15-2015 |
20150295260 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell (FC) module includes a fuel cell stack and FC peripheral equipment. The fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area and where a reformer and a heat exchanger are provided, and an annular third area around the second area and where an evaporator is provided. | 10-15-2015 |
20150321910 | CONVERSION OF C-O-H COMPOUNDS INTO HYDROGEN FOR POWER OR HEAT GENERATION - Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power. | 11-12-2015 |
20160006063 | MODULAR FUEL CELL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack configured to produce an electrical output, power electronics circuitry configured to convert the electrical output of the fuel cell stack into a regulated output of the fuel cell module, module control electronics circuitry configured for communications within the fuel cell module and further configured for communications with master control electronics circuitry external to the fuel cell module, and a structure configured to connect together the fuel cell stack, the power electronics circuitry and the module control electronics circuitry as part of the fuel cell module that is unitary, and further configured for the unitary fuel cell module to be insertable as a unit into a multi-module system chassis. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006064 | HYDROCARBON-OPERABLE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The invention relates to an energy generation apparatus ( | 01-07-2016 |
20160013502 | Integrated Power Generation Using Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells | 01-14-2016 |
20160072142 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module (includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area and where a reformer and a heat exchanger are provided, and an annular third area around the second area and where an evaporator is provided. Second circumscribed non-uniform-flow suppression plates are provided along the minimum circumscribed circles which contact outer surfaces of heat exchange pipes of the heat exchanger. | 03-10-2016 |
20160156050 | METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING COMPOSITION OF FUEL USED IN FUEL CELL SYSTEM | 06-02-2016 |
20160167963 | HYDROCARBON-DECOMPOSING CATALYST, METHOD FOR DECOMPOSING HYDROCARBONS USING THE CATALYST, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN USING THE CATALYST, AND POWER GENERATION SYSTEM | 06-16-2016 |