82results about "Fuel cell usage" patented technology

An energy storage and recovery system includes a renewable power source, a hydrogen generation device in electrical communication with the renewable power source, a hydrogen storage device in fluid communication with the hydrogen generation device, a hydrogen fueled electricity generator in fluid communication with the hydrogen storage device, and a pressure regulator interposed between and in fluid communication with the hydrogen fueled electricity generator and the hydrogen storage device. The pressure regulator is set at an operating pressure of the hydrogen fueled electricity generator.

A solar electrolysis power co-generation system includes a solar electrolysis source and a control unit. The solar electrolysis source includes a solar panel, an electrolysis unit, a hermetically sealed compressor, a hydrogen tank, and a hydrogen-powered fuel cell and produces, compresses, and stores hydrogen gas that is used to fuel the fuel cell. The control unit includes an inverter, a microprocessor, and a modem. The control unit connects the solar electrolysis power source with a power grid and with an individual consumer having an electrical load. The power co-generation system utilizes the electrolysis of water and solar energy to power a fuel cell. The energy produced with the fuel cell may be provided to an existing power gird as well as to an individual consumer. Further a method for decentralized power co-generation includes the step of providing a plurality of solar electrolysis power co-generation systems.

A renewable electric power system includes a high temperature superconducting wind turbine using high temperature superconducting yttrium-barium-copper oxide for the rotor and stator windings as well as a superconducting bearing. Power from the turbine is stored in a high temperature superconducting magnetic storage system that also uses HTS YBCO. Also included is a regenerative solid oxide fuel cell / electrolyzer with steam turbine cogeneration. The system operates on a managed day / night cycle. During daytime, the energy produced by the wind turbines and fuel cells is transmitted to the grid. During nocturnal hours, the wind turbine is used to provide low cost electricity to the reversible fuel cells operating in the electrolysis mode producing hydrogen and oxygen that is stored for later use. Alternatively, the fuel cells can remain in electrolysis mode producing hydrogen and oxygen for the market. A modified interactive system generates power on a continuous twenty-four hour cycle.

A hydrogen generation and storage method for producing and storing hydrogen at a home or business site that enables refueling hydrogen to a personal vehicle at a convenient location. The method comprises (a) operating a solar energy conversion subsystem to capture and convert solar radiation into both electrical energy and thermal energy; (b) operating a fuel cell electrolyzer that uses the converted electrical energy and thermal energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen wherein the fuel cell electrolyzer operates at a temperature between 80° C. and 300° C.; and (c) operating a hydrogen storage means to store the generated hydrogen. The hydrogen storage means preferably comprises (1) a hydrogen storage container comprising a metal hydride, chemical hydride, or other solid or liquid phase material as a storage medium to capture and store the generated hydrogen; and (2) control means to regulate the uptake of hydrogen in the storage container.

A method and reactor system is configured as an appliance for the destruction of residential and building waste to form hydrogen-rich syngas. This syngas is used to power a fuel cell for the generation of electric power, steam and heat or cooling for use in residences and buildings as well as hydrogen fuel for vehicles. The waste conversion rector that carries out the endothermic reactions of steam reforming is heated with the waste heat and electrical power. Alternatively, this reactor can be heated by a natural gas burner. This reactor is designed as a rotary drum, into which are placed bags of waste that can consist of normal garbage as well as toilet solid waste. Glass and metal are not melted in this drum and are recovered as completely sterilized at the end of the process cycle.

The invention provides a method for separating and preparing hydrogen by decomposing water in a fuel cell through photocatalysis according to the inverse principle of the hydrogen fuel cell, aiming to avoiding the current separation problem of hydrogen and oxygen prepared by decomposing water through solar energy photocatalysis. The method adopts the inverse principle of the hydrogen fuel cell and uses photocatalyst as raw material for a photoanode, and platinum, nickel or carbon electrode as a cathode; an ion film is used between the two electrodes to transfer protons or hydroxyl ions, circuit is formed by connecting the photoanode and the cathode with a lead; sunlight or simulated sunlight is used as a light source, the light directly shines down upon the photoanode; and hydrogen is generated on the cathode and an oxidation reaction is performed on the anode so as to realize the aim of separating and preparing hydrogen by decomposing water through photocatalysis. In the method of the invention, no sacrifice agent or inhibitor is needed to add for adjusting the pH value of the electrolyte solution, an external power source can be added as additional bias so as to directly separate and prepare hydrogen by decomposing water through photocatalysis, and the separation problem of hydrogen and oxygen in practical technology development for decomposing water through solar energy photocatalysis is successfully solved.

An energy storage system has a first pressurized tank for carrying water and hydrogen gas and a second pressurized tank for carrying water and oxygen gas. A first output line connects to the pressurized tank for carrying hydrogen gas from the tank. A second output line connects to the second pressurized tank for carrying oxygen gas from the second tank. The energy storage system has a differential-pressure relief valve connected to the output lines to maintain the gases within a defined pressure differential. A water line connects to both pressurized tanks for maintaining relative water levels in the tanks. An electrolyzer is maintained under pressure and receives water from at least one of the pressurized tanks and creates hydrogen gas and oxygen gas for storage in the pressurized tanks. An accumulator connects to the output lines and having a movable diaphragm that separates the gases and moves to adjust volume to equalize pressure. A regeneration system having the energy storage system and a fuel cell for generating electrical energy is connected to the output lines. A catalyst hood overlies the electrolyzer. In a preferred embodiment of the regeneration system, both the electrolyzer and the fuel cell have a proton exchange membrane. A solar array is connected to the electrolyzer in the regeneration system.

The invention discloses integrated type hydrogen energy preparation, storage and cyclic utilization equipment. The integrated type hydrogen energy preparation, storage and cyclic utilization equipment mainly comprises a solar power generation light source, a water electrolysis hydrogen production device, a high-pressure hydrogen storage buffering tank, a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank and a hydrogen fuel cell device, which are connected by a multi-channel control valve and related pipelines, and a thermal medium circulating pipe system is arranged; the thermal medium circulating pipe system is provided with a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a third head exchanger, which are serially connected with one another to form a circulating loop, the first heat exchanger is arranged inside the solar power generation light source, the second heat exchanger is a arranged inside the metal hydride hydrogen storage tank, the third head exchanger is arranged inside the hydrogen fuel cell device, and a medium circulating pump and a medium electric heater are arranged on the circulating loop of the thermal medium circulating pipe system respectively. The integrated type hydrogen energy preparation, storage and cyclic utilization equipment is simple in structure, low in cost, good in hydrogen storage and desorption effect, high in hydrogen energy cyclic utilization rate and stable and safe to operate, and is particularly suitable for hydrogen fuel energy-saving automobiles and portable mobile equipment using hydrogen fuel power supply.

The invention provides a coproduction method and device of hydrogen and electricity by organic wastes. The method comprises the following steps: (1) strain preparation and raw material pretreatment; (2) hydrogen production by anaerobic fermentation; (3) electricity generation by microbial fuel cell; and (4) clear water recycle or discharge. The device comprises a feed device, an anaerobic hydrogen-producing reactor and a microbial fuel cell which are communicated sequentially, wherein the water outlet of the anaerobic hydrogen-producing reactor is communicated with the water inlet of an anode chamber of the microbial fuel cell. According to the method and the device, the energy recovery rate of organic waste can be improved, further treatment of the organic waste can be realized. The method and the device are suitable for treating various organic waste water and solid organic wastes, including but not limited to organic acid waste water, sugar making waste water, starch waste water, wine brewing waste water, food processing waste water and residues, kitchen wastes, fruit and vegetable wastes and crop straws. By the application of the method and device, environmental governance and clean renewable energy source development can be effectively combined.

A facility for the generation of electrical power and products for the refueling of clean air vehicles (CAV's) and marine craft and for use by the facility and / or general market. A host of electrical power generation devices including solar panels, solar collectors, wave action generators, reverse osmosis water purification apparatus, high density capacitor electrolizers, hydrogen / oxygen purifiers and compressors, storage units, fuel cells, AC / DC motors and generators and the various connectors, gauges and networks used for interconnecting and dispensing the products of a combined source system are used jointly and severally in a land / marine site. In addition to the generation of DC electrical power, gaseous products such as may be marketed for their intrinsic value or used in the production of additional power via fuel cell operation are also marketed or used / consumed on site. Unique improvements are made in the ability to store energy through use of capacitors.

The supply unit comprises a box type profile frame (1), whose base rests on wheels (2) and on whose top side (3), a square frame (16), as seen from above, is placed, said frame containing a solar panel (7). This can be swiveled about a horizontal axis (8) and is so connected to one of the top sides of the box type profile frame (1). A peripheral, square frame (5) of same size, each containing a solar panel (6), is connected in a swiveling way to each side of this square frame (16), so that out of the five square frames (16;5), a cube is formed when these frames are swiveled down. The peripherally connected square frames (5) can be swiveled to the plane of the central square frame (16) and can be locked in this position to the central square frame (16). The box type profile frame (1) contains several box type modules (24-26), which can be inserted like drawers from one side and can be arrested in these inserted positions; these modules are for various functions like accumulation of energy from sun and wind, preparation of drinking water, pumping water, delivery of electric power or Direct Current-Hydrogen generation through fuel cells.

The process and system of the invention converts carbonaceous feedstock from fossil fuels and other combustible materials into electrical energy without the production of unwanted greenhouse emissions. The process and system uses a combination of a gasifier to convert the carbonaceous feedstock and a greenhouse gas stream into a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen. One portion of the synthesis gas from the gasifier becomes electrochemically oxidized in an electricity-producing fuel cell into an exit gas comprising carbon dioxide and water. The latter is recycled back to the gasifier after the water is condensed out. The second portion of the synthesis gas from the gasifier is converted into useful hydrocarbon products.

A renewable electrical power generation system is provided having energy storage and a power generation system to convert the stored energy to electrical power to ensure the end user with a continuous source of electrical power. The system comprises a renewable energy to electrical power unit plus a system to convert electricity to fuel (hydrogen and / or ammonia) with the required associated fuel storage and a fuel to electricity unit (engine and generator and / or fuel cell). This system has a monitor and control system that ensures proper operation such that the end user receives electrical power in the most efficient way.

An application applying mixed use of conventional hydrocarbon fuel with renewable energy sources for hydrogen production presents an optimal balance between economics and environmental benefits for any long-range implementations. A hydrogen production system incorporates the use of electricity from renewable sources in hydrogen reforming plants for various functions to achieve better environmental performance. The hydrogen production system includes the compression of hydrogen for high-pressure storage and an electrical heating supply for an endothermic reforming process of producing hydrogen from an input fuel. The compressed hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, also provides a means of stored mechanical energy, Another hydrogen production system utilizes a conventional chemical reforming process to provide leveled hydrogen generation together with electrolysis from the fluctuating renewable energy sources, which also provides low cost hydrogen generation, good environmental performance and commercial dependability.

An improved system of hardware and controls, known as a Hyper Hub, that absorbs electric power from any source, including hydropower, wind, solar, and other renewable energy resources, chemically stores the power in hydrogen-dense anhydrous ammonia, then reshapes the stored energy to the power grid with zero emissions by using anhydrous ammonia to fuel diesel-type, spark-ignited internal combustion, combustion turbine, fuel cell or other electric power generators, and for other purposes.

The invention discloses an apparatus capacity allocation method of a hybrid energy power generation system. The hybrid energy power generation system comprises a plurality of energy systems. The method is characterized in that: an apparatus capacity proportion of each energy system can be allocated according to actual demands of different setting sites and environment factors, wherein the apparatus capacity proportion is best suitable for the setting sites; an apparatus capacity combination of a minimum cost recovery year can be calculated so as to further reduce setting costs and improve efficiency.

A facility for the generation of electrical power and products for the refueling of vehicles including but not limited to, fuel cell vehicles (FCV's) and marine craft and for use by the facility and / or general market. A host of electrical power generation devices including solar panels, solar collectors, wave action generators, mega capacitors reverse osmosis water purification apparatus, high density capacitor electrolizers, hydrogen / oxygen purifiers and compressors, storage units, fuel cells, AC / DC motors and generators and the various connectors, gauges and networks used for interconnecting and dispensing the products of a combined source system are used jointly and severally in a land / marine readily available site. The idealized site for this combined system is a bridge or other elevated structure such as buildings. The siting structure is most desirably located adjacent a water source, be it a river, bay, tidal estuary or the like. In addition to the generation of DC electrical power, gaseous products such as oxygen and hydrogen may be marketed for their open market value or used in the production of additional power via fuel cell operation are also marketed or use / consumed on site. Unique improvements are made in wind generators, a tidal barge generation system and a wave air generator. Unique improvements are also made in the ability to store energy through use of capacitors.

Heat from a concentrated solar power source is applied to the conversion of carbonaceous materials such as heavy petroleum crude oils, coals and biomass to liquid hydrocarbons. The solar heat is applied to provide at least a portion of the process heat used in the high temperature, short contact time hydropyrolysis of the carbonaceous material which is supplied with hydrogen generated by a high temperature process such as high temperature steam electrolysis, the sulfur-iodine cycle, the hybrid sulfur cycle, the zinc-zinc oxide cycle or by methane steam cracking. The heat from the solar source may be used to generate electricity to operate high temperature steam electrolysis used in generation of the hydrogen. By the use of solar thermal energy sources, hydrocarbon resource utilization for process heat is eliminated along with carbon dioxide evolution associated with burning of the hydrocarbon resource to generate process heat. The substitution of zero carbon emission sources therefore offers the potential for significant carbon emission reductions in refinery operations where external process heat can be applied and effectively utilized.

A portable on-demand hydrogen supplemental system is provided for producing hydrogen gas and injecting the hydrogen gas into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced by a fuel cell from nonelectrolyte water in a nonelectrolyte water tank. The hydrogen gas is passed through a hydrogen gas collector. Nonelectrolyte water mixed with the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas collector is passed back thru the tank for distribution and water preservation. The system can be powered by the vehicles alternator, a stand-alone battery, waste heat or solar energy. The system utilizes an an onboard diagnostic (OBD) interface in communication with the vehicle's OBD terminal, to regulate power to the system so that hydrogen production for the engine only occurs when the engine is running. The hydrogen gas is produced it is immediately consumed by the engine. No hydrogen is stored on, in or around the vehicle.

The invention discloses an anaerobic baffle plate type microbial fuel cell stack. The anaerobic baffle plate type microbial fuel cell stack comprises a tank body, at least one overflow plate, at least two baffle plates, an anode and a cathode; the left and right side walls of the tank body are provided with a water inlet and a water outlet respectively; the overflow plate divides the tank body into at least two communicated compartments; the height of the overflow plate is gradually reduced from the water inlet to the water outlet; each compartment is provided with one of the baffle plates for dividing the compartments into two communicated areas, and the area between the baffle plate and the overflow plate or the side wall of the tank body provided with the water outlet is an upstream area; the anode is arranged in the upstream area, and the anode is led out of the tank body through a lead; and the front side wall or the rear side wall of the tank body corresponding to the upstream area is provided with the cathode. The anaerobic baffle plate type microbial fuel cell stack can be used for treating high-concentration reflux sewage of a municipal sewage treatment plant and high-concentration industrial wastewater.

The invention discloses a monitoring system used for a multistage biomass fermentation reaction system and a monitoring method thereof. The system comprises a sensor and / or a probe, a central controller or a head server and an actuator, wherein the sensor and / or the probe is used for monitoring one or more process parameters and / or operation conditions of at least two biomass fermentation reactors in the multistage biomass fermentation reaction system; the central processor or the head server is used for realizing transmission of data or information by a digital optical cable or an analogue signal optical cable and the sensor and / or the probe, and determining at least one process parameter and / or operation condition for keeping or adjusting other biomass fermentation reactors according to monitored result of at least one process parameter and / or operation condition of the at least one biomass fermentation reactor; the actuator is used for keeping or adjusting the process parameter and / or the operation condition, and realizing transmission of data or information with the central controller or the head server by the digital optical cable or the analogue signal optical cable.

The invention discloses a solar photovoltaic water energy storing device, wherein a positive power wire and a negative power wire of a solar photovoltaic cell component are correspondingly connected with a positive power wire and a negative power wire of a pure water electrolytic cell respectively; a pure water inlet of the pure water electrolytic cell is communicated with a pure water outlet of a pure water tank; a pure water inlet of the pure water tank is communicated with a pure water outlet of a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell; a hydrogen outlet of the pure water electrolytic cell is communicated with a hydrogen inlet of a hydrogen storage tank; an oxygen outlet of the pure water electrolytic cell is communicated with an oxygen inlet of an oxygen storage tank; a hydrogen outlet of the hydrogen storage tank is communicated with a hydrogen inlet of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell; a hydrogen control valve is arranged between the hydrogen outlet of the hydrogen storage tank and the hydrogen inlet of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell; an oxygen outlet of the oxygen storage tank is communicated with an oxygen inlet of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell; and an oxygen control valve is arranged between the oxygen outlet of the oxygen storage tank and the oxygen inlet of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. The embodiment has no pollution, is environment-friendly and can be recycled in the using process, and has long service life, simple structure, reliable technological principle and easy industrialization.

Fuel mixing control arrangements are provided for fuel cell power plants (10) operating on multiple fuels (22, 24, 26). A fuel delivery system (16) supplies hydrogen-rich fuel (20) to the cell stack assembly (CSA) (12) after controlled mixing of a primary fuel (22) and at least a secondary fuel (24), each having a respective “equivalent hydrogen (H2) content”. The relative amounts of the primary fuel (22) and secondary fuel (24) mixed are regulated (18, 34, 36) to provide at least a minimum level (LL) of hydrogen-rich fuel having an equivalent hydrogen content sufficient for normal operation of the CSA (12). The primary fuel (22) is a bio-gas or the like having a limited, possibly variable, equivalent H2 content, and the secondary fuel (22) has a greater and relatively constant equivalent H2 content and is mixed with the primary fuel in an economic, constant relationship that assures adequate performance of the CSA (12). One or more parameters (IDC, P, V, E. C.) of the operating power plant (10) related to the equivalent H2 content of at least the primary fuel may be sensed (72, 26, 78, 84, 176) and used to control (18, 36) the relative amounts of secondary and primary fuels (22, 24) mixed in response thereto.

The invention discloses a method for producing hydrogen by using a dye-sensitized photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) and degrading organic dye wastewater simultaneously. The method comprises the following steps of: introducing the organic dye wastewater into a PFC optical anode chamber, exciting organic dyes under the action of the irradiation of visible light and electro-catalysis, mineralizing organic matters of the optical anode chamber, and degrading the organic matters to form harmless substances such as CO2 and H2O. According to the method, electrons generated in the degradation process are enriched on the surface of an optical anode and are driven to a cathode electrode by an external circuit; and H<+> generated by the optical anode enters a cathode solution through a proton conductor and receives the electrons from a cathode to generate the hydrogen, so that the hydrogen is produced while the organic dye wastewater is degraded. According to the method, a PFC hydrogen production technology and a technology of degrading the organic dye wastewater are combined, and a dye-sensitized optical anode structure is adopted, so that the organic dye wastewater is degraded and the hydrogen is produced under visible light, and the feasible basis is provided for the actual application of completing solar decontamination and solar hydrogen production synchronously by the PFC in future.

The invention provides a microbial fuel cell and a method for enhancing electricity generation performance of the microbial fuel cell. The microbial fuel cell comprises a reactor, a cathode and an anode, wherein either cathode or anode is arranged on one side of the reactor, and the other electrode is arranged in the reactor; the anode is made of carbon felt, and the cathode adopts a gas electrode containing metallic catalyst; the distance between the two electrodes is 0.5-2.0 cm; the lower end of the reactor is provided with a water inlet, and the upper end is provided with a water outlet; the upper part of the reactor is provided with a sealing cover; a reference electrode slot is arranged on the sealing cover; the cathode and the anode are connected by a wire and connected with a load to form a closed loop circuit; anaerobic sludge is inoculated in the reactor, and fuel is introduced into the reactor; and 5-80 mg of microbial solvent Tween is added to every 1L of fuel. The invention has the advantages of great increase of output power, low price, small effect on environment, and easy realization.

A direct-electrochemical-oxidation fuel cell and method for generating electrical energy from a solid-state organic fuel. The fuel cell includes a cathode provided with an electrochemical-reduction catalyst that promotes formation of oxygen ions from an oxygen containing source at the cathode, an anode provided with an electrochemical-oxidation catalyst that promotes direct electrochemical oxidation of the solid-state organic fuel in the presence of the oxygen ions to produce electrical energy, and a solid-oxide electrolyte disposed to transmit the oxygen ions from the cathode to the anode. The electrochemical oxidation catalyst can optionally include a sulfur resistant material.

The invention relates to an independent generating system and belongs to the field of clean energy generation. The system comprises a photovoltaic generating array, a fuel cell stack and a controller, the system is provided with a super-capacitor communicated with the output of the photovoltaic generating array, an electrolytic power supply of an electrolytic tank is communicated with the photovoltaic generating array, and a hydrogen storage device is arranged behind the electrolytic tank and supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell stack; an output circuit from the photovoltaic generating array to an load, an output circuit from the fuel cell stack to the load and a computer control system are provided, the photovoltaic generating array is used for generating power, surplus power is stored through the super-capacitor in an electrolytic hydrogen mode, system control is achieved by utilizing the sliding mode control technology, the system efficiency is high, the operation is stable, and the system can be applied to occasions needing independent generation conveniently.

A method for producing hydrogen wherein use is made of a high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus having an electrolysis vessel being partitioned into the anode side and the cathode side by the use of a solid oxide electrolyte film as a diaphragm, steam is fed to the above cathode side and a reducing gas is fed to the anode side, and steam electrolysis is carried out at a high temperature, characterized in that the reducing gas and the steam fed to the electrolysis vessel has a temperature of 200 to 500 DEG C. The above temperature range for the reducing gas and the steam fed to the electrolysis vessel has been found to be an optimum temperature range, as a result of taking the heat balance within the vessel into consideration, in a high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus wherein a solid oxide electrolyte film is used, a reducing gas is fed to the anode side and steam is fed to the cathode side, an oxygen ion is allowed to react with said reducing gas on the cathode side, to thereby generate a concentration gradient for an oxygen ion and thus reduce an electrolysis voltage.