Abstract A high-temperature integrated fuel cell system with high overall thermal efficiency is achieved by utilizing fuel cell waste heat as the source of energy for the fuel-reforming process. A hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with a recycle stream containing water vapor and the mixture is introduced into the anode chamber of a high-temperature molten carbonate fuel cell. Within the anode chamber is a suitable catalyst which, with the addition of fuel cell waste heat, produces a hydrogen-rich stream. Hydrogen reacts electrochemically at the anode. The anode effluent essentially contains hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and steam. Carbon dioxide and a portion of the water is removed from the anode effluent and is transferred to the process air supply since a relatively high concentration of carbon dioxide is desirable at the cathode in the molten carbonate system. The remaining moist anode stream is recycled to be mixed with the fresh fuel.
A fuel cell as in claim 1, including a regenerator disposed between the fuel cell and the product exchange device to cool the anode effluent and heat the cathode air supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fuel cell as in claim 2, where the hydrocarbon fuel is methane and the catalytic substance is nickel or supported nickel particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a high-temperature fuel cell operating at about 1,300* F., the cell having an anode, a cathode and a molten carbonate electrolyte, the method of operating the cell comprising; steam-reforming methane fuel in the presence of a catalyst in the anode compartment, the reforming energy being provided by cell waste heat; transferring continuously essentially all of the carbon dioxide and a portion of the water in the anode effluent to the countercurrent flow cathode airstream in a product exchange device; recycling the remaining anode effluent and adding methane to the recycling stream in an amount sufficient to maintain the hydrogen partial pressure at about 5-7 p.s.i.a. in the anode compartment; directing the carbon dioxide and water-enriched air supply to the cathode compartment; and disposing a regenerator between the fuel cell and product exchange device for the purpose of cooling the anode effluent and heating the cathode-enriched air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4, including the step of: preheating the fuel supply and cooling the cathode exhaust.