Solid Oxide Fuel Cell BOP Sequential Burner and Reformer Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid oxide fuel cell systems suffer from heat loss, complex piping configurations, high manufacturing costs, and low heat efficiency due to separate startup burners and preheating heaters, which complicate heat transmission and increase system weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A balanced plant system for solid oxide fuel cells is designed with a burner, reformer, steam generator, and heat exchangers laid sequentially to minimize heat loss and optimize space efficiency, using flue gas to preheat air for cathodes without separate preheating heaters, and integrating the burner to eliminate the need for a separate startup burner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate startup burner and preheating heater are added, then system functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the startup burner and preheating heater functions into the main burner assembly. The burner is designed to perform multiple functions: startup heating, main combustion, and preheating of air supply through integrated heat exchange structures. This eliminates the need for separate startup burners and preheating heaters, reducing device complexity while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The main burner is designed as a multi-functional component that serves as both the primary heat source and the preheating device. The burner structure includes integrated heat exchangers that utilize combustion heat to preheat air supply, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions that traditionally required separate devices.
2Reliability
If separate startup burner and preheating heater are added, then system functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the startup burner and preheating heater functions into the main burner assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces material requirements, and lowers overall manufacturing costs while maintaining full system functionality.
3Reliability
If components are connected by various pipes and valves, then system functionality is achieved, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the preheating function from separate preheating heaters and integrates it directly into the burner assembly through built-in heat exchangers. This eliminates the need for separate preheating devices and their associated piping, thereby reducing heat loss in fluid transmission while maintaining the preheating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heat exchangers within the burner assembly act as intermediaries that directly transfer heat from combustion gases to the air supply. This direct heat transfer mechanism eliminates the need for intermediate pipes and valves, reducing heat loss in transmission while achieving the preheating objective.
4Temperature
If separate preheating heater is provided, then air preheating is improved, but heat efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the preheating function with the main burner assembly, allowing direct utilization of combustion heat for preheating air supply. This integration eliminates heat loss in transmission and enables more efficient heat utilization, improving overall heat efficiency while maintaining effective air preheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The burner assembly provides self-service by using its own combustion heat to preheat the air supply through integrated heat exchangers. This self-preheating capability eliminates the need for separate preheating heaters and their associated energy losses, improving overall heat efficiency while maintaining effective air preheating.
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
This configuration reduces heat loss, enhances heat transmission efficiency, optimizes space usage, lowers manufacturing costs, and improves overall heat efficiency by preheating flue gas without additional heaters, resulting in a more compact and cost-effective system.
Implementation Method 1
a reformer for transforming fuel gas into hydrogen so as to supply the hydrogen to the anodes of the stack
Implementation Method 2
a stack having anodes and cathodes located on both sides thereof and electrolytes provided between the anodes and cathodes to produce electricity through the electrochemical reaction with the hydrogen and oxygen supplied to the anodes and cathodes
Implementation Method 3
an after burner for heating the reformer and a steam generator
Implementation Method 4
the heat exchangers introduce the flue gas discharged from the steam generator thereinto and preheat the process air to be supplied to cathodes of stacks
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a balance of plant (BOP) system of solid oxide fuel cells including a burner, a reformer, a steam generator, and heat exchangers, wherein the burner, the reformer and the steam generator are laid sequentially on top of each other to transmit the flames and burned gas generated from the burner directly to the reformer and the steam generator disposed sequentially on top of the burner, and the heat exchangers introduce the flue gas discharged from the steam generator thereinto and preheat the process air to be supplied to cathodes of stacks.