80results about "Fuel cell applications" patented technology

The present invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for the dual-purpose functionality of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric and flue gas sources and concurrently generating electrical energy. More specifically, this patent application focuses exclusively on the non-ionized hydrogen gas turbine variant of the apparatuses and methods for capturing carbon dioxide and electrical energy generating system invention. The invention embodies an integrated system designed for the efficient capture of CO2 and simultaneous production of clean electricity. To simultaneously generate electric power at maximum efficiency and capture carbon dioxide, the present invention comprises different integrated processes, integrated systems, and techniques. The present system comprises; a non-ionized hydrogen gas turbine system unit, a carbon dioxide capturing system unit, a hybrid solar Hydrogen-Oxygen gas generator system system unit and waste heat recovery system unit. Moreover, the system comprises waste-heat-based carbon dioxide absorption and waste-heat-based regeneration sub-units to power carbon dioxide capturing parts by waste heat. All the systems of units are developed, integrated, hybrid, and co-functionally working to simultaneously enhance both CO2 capture efficiency and electricity generation. Through these integrated processes, systems, and techniques, the invention aims to generate and maximize clean electrical power output while effectively capture CO2 and reducing CO2 emission impacts on the environment with a dual solution approach. The invention further includes various alternative embodiments, and invention versions for versatile application in CO2 capture and energy production fields.

The invention is based on a grid feed device for a fuel cell system for an electrical connection of the fuel cell system (12; 12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e; 12f; 12g) to an electrical power grid (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f; 14g), with at least one converter unit (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f; 16g) for a grid-compliant adaptation of an electrical voltage provided by the fuel cell system. It is proposed that the grid feed-in device comprises at least one power stabilization unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e; 18f; 18g) for adjusting, in particular in terms of amount and / or proportion, an electrical power output by the converter unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e; 18f; 18g) to the power grid (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f; 14g), in particular as a function of at least one grid parameter of the electrical power grid (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f; 14g).

To provide a method of operating a fuel cell system.SOLUTION: The method of operating a fuel cell system comprises: providing fuel and air to a stack (102) of fuel cells located in a hotbox (100); operating the stack to generate anode exhaust and cathode exhaust; in a startup mode, providing a first amount of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to an anode tail gas oxidizer (130) located in the hotbox to oxidize the anode exhaust and to generate heat to be provided to the stack; and, in a steady-state mode, stopping providing the anode exhaust to the anode tail gas oxidizer (130) or providing the anode tail gas oxidizer (130) with a second amount of the anode exhaust which is less than the first amount, and providing the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to an outside of the hotbox (100).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

The invention relates to a electricity generation plant (1), comprising two units (A) and (B), a first unit (A) and a second unit (B), which are located on two separate industrial sites having: - a first unit (A) comprising a synthesis device (8) which is capable of producing methane or methanol (15) from hydrogen (2) and carbon dioxide (4) originating from a second unit (B); and - the second unit (B) comprising a fuel cell device (5) which is capable of supplying an electric current (1) from methane or methanol (15) originating from the first unit (A) and an anode gas stream (6) comprising carbon dioxide, the fuel cell device being combined with a collecting device (7) for collecting the carbon dioxide (17) in the anode stream (6) that is intended for the first unit (A).

A solid state energy harvester includes an anode including a first transition metal sub-oxide; a cathode comprising a second transition metal sub-oxide; and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode; wherein at least one of the anode, the cathode or the diaphragm contains water, and wherein the collector generates electrical power when electrically connected to an external load.

A hybrid fuel cell system is disclosed. The hybrid fuel cell comprises a fuel cell adapted to supply power to a load. The hybrid fuel cell further comprises an Electrical Air Compressor (EAC) unit operatively coupled with the fuel cell. Also, the hybrid fuel cell comprises an auxiliary power source connected to the EAC unit via a Direct Current to Alternative Current (DC-AC) converter. Furthermore, the hybrid fuel cell comprises a converter circuit configured to perform at least one of enable the auxiliary power source to supplement the fuel cell to provide collective power supply to a load during the initialization phase of the fuel cell, enable the fuel cell to provide either the input power supply or a supplement power supply to the EAC unit during an operational phase of the fuel cell, or enable the fuel cell to charge the auxiliary power source.

To provide a rubber composition for a fuel cell cooling hose, and a fuel cell cooling hose using the same.SOLUTION: A rubber composition for a fuel cell cooling hose contains: 40-62 wt.% of a base resin containing an ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer (EPDM); 30-52 wt.% of a reinforcer; 2-4 wt.% of an activator; 2-3 wt.% of a plasticizer; and 1-2 wt.% of a crosslinking agent. The rubber composition for the cooling hose can be produced from a raw material at low cost, and a fuel cell cooling hose can be also manufactured by an extrusion type method using the composition, and accordingly economical efficiency can be secured. The fuel cell cooling hose manufactured using the rubber composition for the cooling hose can sure durability such as negative pressure property and a bursting pressure, and can also effectively suppress ion elution, and accordingly a life of a fuel cell is increased and performance of a fuel cell can be secured.SELECTED DRAWING: None

A fuel cell system including a power storage device and an air pump sets a buffer that is allocated within a range of an amount of electrical power chargeable to and dischargeable from the power storage device, the buffer including, as an acceleration buffer, an amount of electrical power dischargeable from the power storage device to the air pump while a rotational speed of the air pump is accelerated, calculates steady AP power consumption of the air pump, and sets the acceleration buffer based on the calculated steady AP power consumption and rated electrical power of the air pump.

Safety system (6) for a vehicle (1), the vehicle comprising at least a battery pack (5) and at least a tank (4) for storing a pressurized gas, the safety system (6) comprising at least one valve means (7) configured to assume at least a first position in which to deny the fluid communication between the tank (4) and the environment and a second position in which allow the fluid communication between the tank (4) and the environment, the valve means (7) being controlled to move between the first and second positions during a critical condition related to thermal runaway of the battery pack (5).

A method for operating a power system in the present disclosure includes the step of planning an output of a fuel cell system in such a way as to make up a difference between power demand and an output of a solar power generation system. In the step, if a charge level of a storage battery system is higher than or equal to an upper limit value smaller than 100%, first correction, in which the plan is corrected in such a way as to reduce the output of the fuel cell system, is performed and / or if the charge level of the storage battery system is lower than or equal to a lower limit value larger than 0%, second correction, in which the plan is corrected in such a way as to increase the output of the fuel cell system, is performed.

Electrochemical cell systems (51) and electrochemical cell processes are described as applicable to power generation or electrolysis modes with systems that have a containment vessel interior space multiple electrochemical cell stack, stack inlet plenum (43) that can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction in an economical way and that can provide a substantially equivalent environment for each stack inlet as well as can include, if desired, either or all of a vessel external compression stack mount possibly configured as a cathode outlet manifold (111) configured as a stack mount, a fully accommodative thermal expansion-contraction electrochemical cell stack mount possibly configured with external springs (91), and even the possibility of an axial flow adjuster such as a gradation plate (99) for better operation.

A power generation system includes a housing, a lid defining an opening in the housing, and a chamber inside the housing configured to receive a cartridge comprising a powdered fuel mixture. The system also includes a fluid reservoir that stores a fluid configured to react with the powdered fuel mixture to produce hydrogen gas. A processor is configured to control ingress of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the powdered fuel mixture in the cartridge and control egress of the gas from the cartridge to the gas storage compartment. The system also includes a generator configured to generate electricity from the gas in the gas storage compartment.

Provided are an electrochemical element and the like that have both durability and high performance as well as excellent reliability. The electrochemical element includes a metal support, and an electrode layer formed on / over the metal support. The metal support is made of any one of a Fe-Cr based alloy that contains Ti in an amount of 0.15 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less, a Fe-Cr based alloy that contains Zr in an amount of 0.15 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less, and a Fe-Cr based alloy that contains Ti and Zr, a total content of Ti and Zr being 0.15 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less.

A fuel cell apparatus may include a stack, a reformer configured to generate reformed gas, a burner, a water supply tank configured to store cooling water, a burner air blower configured to draw in external air and then to blow the air, a vertex tube configured to convert the air into heated air and cooled air, a three-way valve configured to supply the air from the burner air blower selectively to the vertex tube or the burner, a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the air discharged from the vertex tube and the cooling water, a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the air discharged from the vertex tube and the reformed gas, and a four-way valve configured to supply the heated air and the cooled air to the first and second heat exchangers.

A method for operating a power system in the present disclosure includes the step of planning an output of a fuel cell system in such a way as to make up a difference between power demand and an output of a solar power generation system. In the step, if a charge level of a storage battery system is higher than or equal to an upper limit value smaller than 100%, first correction, in which the plan is corrected in such a way as to reduce the output of the fuel cell system, is performed and / or if the charge level of the storage battery system is lower than or equal to a lower limit value larger than 0%, second correction, in which the plan is corrected in such a way as to increase the output of the fuel cell system, is performed.

The invention relates to an energy system, comprising a functional unit having at least one electrolysis cell (EC) and an additional functional unit having at least one fuel cell (FC) made of solid oxide, wherein the two functional units (EC) and (FC) are combined in one device, waste heat of the (FC) is used to extract the hydrogen from a (LOHC), and the (EC) and (FC) as a whole are equipped with a water reservoir and an oxygen reservoir in such a way that water and steam from the (FC) are temporarily stored in an insulated container and made available to the electrolysis cell operation and in such a way that the oxygen from the (EC) is temporarily stored and supplied to the fuel cell operation while being mixed with or without air.

A combustion system is provided. The combustion system includes a topping cycle generating a flow of exhaust gas and a bottoming cycle. The combustion system further includes a fuel cell having an anode side, a cathode side, and an electrolyte. The cathode side receives the flow of exhaust gas from the topping cycle via a cathode inlet line. The cathode side removing a first portion of pollutants from the exhaust gas. The combustion system further includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) that receives the exhaust gases from the cathode side via a cathode outlet line. The HRSG generates a flow of steam for use in the bottoming cycle. A carbon capture system is fluidly coupled to the HRSG via an HRSG outlet line. The carbon capture system removes a second portion of pollutants from the exhaust gas.

A combustion system is provided. The combustion system includes a topping cycle that generates an exhaust gas flow and a bottoming cycle. The combustion system further includes a fuel cell having an anode side, a cathode side, and an electrolyte. The cathode side receives the exhaust gas flow from the topping cycle via a cathode inlet line. The cathode side removes a first portion of pollutants from the exhaust gas. The combustion system further includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) that receives the exhaust gas from the cathode side via a cathode outlet line. The HRSG generates a steam flow for use in the bottoming cycle. A carbon capture system is fluidly coupled to the HRSG via the HRSG outlet line. The carbon capture system removes a second portion of pollutants from the exhaust gas.

A fuel cell module (FCM) includes a fuel cell stack (FCS), and a controller (Cnt) configured to start power generation of the fuel cell stack (FCS) when a charging rate of a power storage device (B) directly connected between the fuel cell stack (FCS) and a load (Lo) becomes a lower limit value or less, and configured to stop power generation of the fuel cell stack (FCS) when the charging rate of the power storage device (B) becomes an upper limit value or more. The fuel cell stack (FCS) is connected to the power storage device (B) not through a power conversion circuit, and the controller (Cnt) changes at least one of the lower limit value and the upper limit value based on a deterioration degree of the fuel cell stack (FCS).

The invention relates to a system (1) and an autonomous method (200) for producing and / or storing at least one energy (2) for an installation (3), comprising: - at least one IT infrastructure (11) comprising - at least one control module (12), - at least one security module (13), - at least one storage module (14), - at least one correction module (15), - at least one energy production device (4) configured to be coupled with the at least one IT infrastructure (11), and the installation (3) and comprising: - at least one transformer (41), - at least one first reactor (42), - at least one second reactor (43), - the at least one first reactor (42) is configured to be powered by the at least one second reactor (43) - at least one storage device (20) configured to be coupled with the at least one IT infrastructure (11) and the installation (3). Figure to be published with the abstract: figure 1

The invention relates to a gas management system (1) in a hydrogen hybrid vehicle, comprising an electric motor (2) and a hydrogen internal combustion heat engine (3), a fuel cell (4) supplying electric power to the electric motor (2), a hydrogen tank (5) supplying hydrogen to the cell (4) and the heat engine (3), an aftertreatment device (6) adapted to treat exhaust gases at the outlet of the heat engine (3), the system comprises gas flow management means (16, 17, 18, 19) capable of selectively transferring a flow of gas from the fuel cell (4) to the aftertreatment device (6) and / or to the heat engine (3), and / or from the hydrogen tank (5) to the fuel cell (4) and / or to the heat engine (3), and an electronic controller (15) capable of selectively transferring a flow of gas from the fuel cell (4) to the aftertreatment device (6) and / or to the heat engine (3). The electronic controller is configured to be able to control the gas flow management means (16, 17, 18, 19) as a function of the temperature of the first and / or second gas flow emitted at the outlet of the fuel cell (4).

A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, and a controller configured to start power generation of the fuel cell stack when a charging rate of a power storage device directly connected between the fuel cell stack and a load becomes a lower limit value or less, and configured to stop power generation of the fuel cell stack when the charging rate of the power storage device becomes an upper limit value or more. The fuel cell stack is connected to the power storage device not through a power conversion circuit, and the controller changes at least one of the lower limit value and the upper limit value based on a deterioration degree of the fuel cell stack.

The invention relates to a control method for starting up a fuel cell system after a standstill, comprising the steps of supplying the anode supply gas to the anode supply section (12) and at least intermittently blocking and / or throttling the cathode supply gas to the cathode supply section (14). According to the invention, the at least intermittent blocking and / or throttling of the cathode supply gas is carried out or continued until an open-circuit voltage (Uoc) returns to or falls below a permissible threshold voltage (Uth); and a switch device (20) of an electrical connection between a fuel cell unit (10) and a DC voltage converter (30) is only closed after the open-circuit voltage (Uoc) returns to or falls below the permissible threshold voltage (Uth).

A multi modular system (100) is described. The multi modular system includes a fuel cell module (110) comprising a fuel cell; a second module (120) selected from an internal combustion engine module (280), a gas turbine module (230), an oxidizer module (240), an electrolyser module (220), a steam generator module, a bypass module (250), a hot-air take out module (260), and a hot-gas take in module (270); a turbocharging system (140) including a turbine (143) and a compressor (141), and an intake manifold (150) in fluid communication with the compressor and an exhaust manifold (160) in fluid communication with the turbine. Each of the fuel cell module (110) and the second module (120) include an intake interface (111, 121) fluidically coupled to the intake manifold for supplying the module with intake air and / or an exhaust interface (112, 122) fluidically coupled to the exhaust manifold for discharging exhaust gas from the module; wherein each of the intake interfaces are substantially similar and / or wherein each of the exhaust interfaces are substantially similar.

A device may include a substrate. A device may include an electrical load supported by the substrate. A device may include a microfluidic volume disposed in the substrate. A device may include an electro-chemical fluid contained in the microfluidic volume, the electro-chemical fluid being configured to (i) generate an electrical current that powers the electrical load and (ii) absorb heat from the electrical load. A method may include a substrate. A method may include an electrical load supported by the substrate. A method may include a microfluidic volume disposed in the substrate. A method may include an electro-chemical fluid contained in the microfluidic volume, the electro-chemical fluid being configured to (i) generate an electrical current that powers the electrical load and (ii) absorb heat from the electrical load.

A syngas generation system includes a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) including a MCFC cathode configured to receive a MCFC cathode input stream including a flue gas stream and a MCFC anode configured to output a MCFC anode exhaust stream including carbon dioxide and steam. The syngas generation system further includes a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) including an SOEC cathode and an SOEC anode. The SOEC is configured to receive, at the SOEC cathode, an SOEC cathode input stream, the SOEC cathode input stream including at least a portion of the MCFC anode exhaust stream, co-electrolyze carbon dioxide and steam in the SOEC cathode input stream, and output, from the SOEC cathode, an SOEC cathode exhaust stream including carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas.

Disclosed in the present invention are a system for gradient utilization of waste heat of an SOFC, and an operation method therefor. The system comprises an SOFC, a tail-gas burner, a thermoelectric generator device, an air flow path, a fuel flow path, and a tail-gas waste heat flow path; the air flow path is used for pressurizing and preheating fresh air and then feeding same into the SOFC for electrochemical reaction with fuel; the fuel flow path is used for pressurizing and preheating the fuel and then feeding same into the SOFC for electrochemical reaction with oxygen ions in the air; and the tail-gas waste heat flow path is used for feeding residual hydrogen from an anode of the SOFC and residual air from a cathode of the SOFC into the tail-gas burner for burning, and then converting heat energy into electric energy, cooling residual tail gas to a safe temperature and then discharging same, enabling cooling water to flow through a tail-gas condensation device to heat same therein to a safe temperature, and then delivering the heated cooling water to a heat storage device through a pipe to supply heat to a user. In the present invention, energy in high-temperature tail-gas of an SOFC is recovered by means of a thermoelectric generator device, and is converted into system electric energy to be output, ensuring that the structure and needed installation space of a system do not need to be greatly changed.

The invention relates to a control method for starting up a fuel cell system after a standstill, comprising the steps of supplying the anode supply gas to the anode supply section (12) and at least intermittently blocking and / or throttling the cathode supply gas to the cathode supply section (14). According to the invention, the at least intermittent blocking and / or throttling of the cathode supply gas is carried out or continued until an open-circuit voltage (Uoc) returns to or falls below a permissible threshold voltage (Uth); and a switch device (20) of an electrical connection between a fuel cell unit (10) and a DC voltage converter (30) is only closed after the open-circuit voltage (Uoc) returns to or falls below the permissible threshold voltage (Uth).

A fuel cell module (FCM) includes a fuel cell stack (FCS), and a controller (Cnt) configured to start power generation of the fuel cell stack (FCS) when a charging rate of a power storage device (B) directly connected between the fuel cell stack (FCS) and a load (Lo) becomes a lower limit value or less, and configured to stop power generation of the fuel cell stack (FCS) when the charging rate of the power storage device (B) becomes an upper limit value or more. The fuel cell stack (FCS) is connected to the power storage device (B) not through a power conversion circuit, and the controller (Cnt) changes at least one of the lower limit value and the upper limit value based on a deterioration degree of the fuel cell stack (FCS).

The invention is based on an electrochemical system with at least one electrochemical unit (12a; 12b) for an electrochemical conversion of a reactant (14a; 14b) with at least one heat dissipation unit (16a; 16b) for dissipating an operational waste heat of the electrochemical unit (12a; 12b). It is proposed that the electrochemical system comprises at least one refrigeration machine (18a; 18b) which is thermally coupled to the heat dissipation unit (16a; 16b).