Integrated power generation and carbon capture using fuel cells

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for capturing CO₂ from a combustion source using molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The fuel cells are operated to have a reduced anode fuel utilization. Optionally, at least a portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as a fuel for the combustion source. Optionally, a second portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as part of an anode input stream. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of fuel cell area required for separating CO₂ from the combustion source exhaust and/or modifications in how the fuel cells are operated.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. Nos. 61 / 787,587, 61 / 787,697, 61 / 787,879, and 61 / 788,628, all filed on Mar. 15, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. Nos. 61 / 884,376, 61 / 884,545, 61 / 884,565, 61 / 884,586, 61 / 884,605, and 61 / 884,635, all filed on Sep. 30, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application further claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 889,757, filed on Oct. 11, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002]This application is related to 25 other co-pending U.S. applications, filed on even date herewith, and identified by the following Attorney Docket numbers and titles: 2013EM104-US2 entitled “Integrated Power Generation and Carbon Capture using Fuel Cells”; 2013EM104-US3 entitled “Integrated Power Generation and Carbon Capture using Fuel Cells”; 2013EM107-US2...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]In one aspect, a method for capturing carbon dioxide from a combustion source is provided. The method can introducing one or more fuel streams and an O2-containing stream into a combustion zone; performing a combustion reaction in the combustion zone to generate a combustion exhaust, the combustion exhaust comprising CO2; processing at least a first portion of the combustion exhaust with a fuel cell array of one or more molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode exhaust stream from at least one cathode outlet of the fuel cell array, the one or more fuel cells each having an anode and a cathode, the molten carbonate fuel cells being operatively con...

Problems solved by technology

The energy required for CO2 separation reduces the overall efficiency of the power generation process.

However, conventional combinations of a combustion...

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