SOFC Heat Integration for Multi-Utility Energy and CO2 Use

The patent captures CO2 emissions from steam methane reforming and uses them as a resource for greenhouse gas enhancement and carbon sequestration. The CO2 that would otherwise be harmful is redirected to greenhouses where it promotes plant growth, and excess CO2 is sequestered in biomass, converting an environmental liability into a beneficial resource for agriculture and carbon storage.

The patent divides the thermal management system into multiple segments with different temperature zones. The SOFC operates at high temperature for efficient electricity generation, while separate heat exchange systems extract heat at different temperature levels to serve various utilities (hot water, space heating, cooling). This segmentation allows the SOFC to maintain optimal operating temperature without compromising component reliability, as the thermal stress is managed through controlled heat extraction.

The patent implements a multi-functional heat utilization system where a single heat exchange network serves multiple purposes: generating hot water for domestic use, providing space heating, enabling absorption cooling, and supporting waste treatment processes. This universal heat utilization approach maximizes energy efficiency by capturing waste heat at different temperature levels and directing it to various utilities, while the modular design of the heat exchange components helps manage system complexity.

The patent merges the CO2 capture and utilization functions with existing system components. The CO2 capture is integrated into the exhaust gas handling system of the SOFC, and the CO2 utilization is combined with the greenhouse heating system. By merging these functions with existing infrastructure rather than adding completely separate systems, the patent improves environmental sustainability while minimizing the increase in system complexity.