Fuel Cell System with Hydrogen Utilization Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems face inefficiencies due to high operating costs, dependency on fuel composition, and lack of black start capability, particularly in handling varying power demands and emissions reduction.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell power production system integrating a high-temperature fuel cell with a hydrogen utilization device, such as an internal combustion engine or microturbine, that processes anode exhaust gas for efficient energy recovery and oxidant gas supply, incorporating a control assembly to manage load variations and recycle hydrogen, thereby reducing emissions and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If excess hydrogen fuel is stored for future use or recycled back to the anode input, then fuel cell efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional storage and separation devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydrogen utilization device with the fuel cell system into an integrated configuration where the hydrogen utilization device directly processes anode exhaust gas and its exhaust provides oxidant gas to the fuel cell cathode, eliminating the need for separate hydrogen storage tanks and reducing system complexity while maintaining improved fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen utilization device serves multiple functions: it consumes excess hydrogen from anode exhaust, generates additional power, and produces oxidant gas for the fuel cell cathode. This multi-functionality allows the system to improve efficiency without requiring separate dedicated components for each function
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional fuel cell systems operate with high utilization rates, then efficiency is maintained, but operating costs increase and black start capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen utilization device operates autonomously on anode exhaust gas without requiring external control or assistance, and the integrated system enables self-starting capability where the hydrogen utilization device can provide initial power and oxidant gas to start the fuel cell without external help, eliminating the need for grid assistance while maintaining high efficiency operation
3Loss of substance
If anode exhaust gas is processed through shift reactor and hydrogen separation apparatus, then hydrogen is extracted for storage or recycling, but device complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes hydrogen directly from anode exhaust gas through the hydrogen utilization device without requiring complex shift reactors or hydrogen separation apparatus. The hydrogen is taken out and immediately consumed in the hydrogen utilization device, simplifying the system while achieving effective hydrogen recovery and utilization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves improved efficiency (up to 74% overall efficiency) and reduced costs (10-25% lower power production costs) with black start capability and reduced emissions, by recycling water and utilizing hydrogen utilization device exhaust as oxidant gas, while minimizing NOx and CO emissions.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel cell is a device which directly converts chemical energy stored in hydrocarbon fuel into electrical energy by means of an electrochemical reaction
Implementation Method 2
an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an electrolyte, which serves to conduct electrically charged ions
Implementation Method 3
The hydrogen utilization device is adapted to receive oxidant gas and one of the water-separated anode exhaust gas and gas derived from the water-separated anode exhaust
Implementation Method 4
a water transfer assembly for transferring water in the anode exhaust to the fuel supply path and for producing water-separated anode exhaust
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell power production system and method for supplying power to a load, comprising a high-temperature fuel cell including an anode compartment, adapted to receive fuel from a fuel supply path and to output anode exhaust, and a cathode compartment adapted to receive oxidant gas and to output cathode exhaust, a water transfer assembly for transferring water in the anode exhaust to the fuel supply path and for outputting water-separated anode exhaust; and a hydrogen utilization device adapted to receive oxidant gas and one of the water-separated anode exhaust and gas derived from the water-separated anode exhaust and to output hydrogen utilization device exhaust including oxidant gas, wherein the hydrogen utilization device exhaust is used to provide oxidant gas to said cathode compartment.