Abstract:
A reformate gas generating device for an energy conversion device comprises a trapping system (110) comprising a filter element (124) and a trap element (140), and a reforming system (100). The reforming system (100) is coupled to the trapping system (110), which is positioned after said reforming system (100). The trapping system (110) is monitored by a combination of devices including an on-board diagnostic system, a temperature sensor (116), and a pressure differential sensor (118), which can individually or in combination determine when to regenerate the trapping system (110). The method for trapping sulfur and particulate matter using the trapping system (110) comprises dispensing fuel into the energy conversion device. The fuel is processed in a reformer system (100) to produce a reformate. The reformate is introduced into the trapping system (110) and filtered to remove particulate matter and sulfur.
Abstract:
The power generation system and method of the present invention employ a solid oxide fuel cell (110) which reforms fuel to a degree which is controlled by the amount of fuel introduced to the solid oxide fuel cell (110). A preheater device (155) in fluid communication with a fuel side and an air side of a solid oxide fuel cell (110), such that air can be heated prior to introducing it to the air side of the solid oxide fuel cell (110). This hybrid system more efficiently produces energy, both mechanical and electrical, over conventional systems.
Abstract:
An energy conversion system comprising ammonia for fueling an SOFC stack to generate electricity and a hydrogen-rich tailgas. In the SOFC stack, ammonia is cracked to hydrogen and nitrogen. Ammonia is stored in a metal halide complex and is released therefrom as gaseous ammonia by waste heat from the SOFC. A heat exchanger is positioned across the SOFC cathode such that incoming air is tempered by the cathode exhaust air. In a two-stage energy conversion system, the hydrogen-rich tailgas from the SOFC is supplied as fuel to a secondary energy conversion device which may be, for example, an internal combustion engine or a gas turbine engine which may operate, for example, either a generator for generating additional electricity or a vehicle for motive power, or a second fuel cell stack.
Abstract:
The present system and method relate to power generation utilizing an exhaust side solid oxide fuel cell (110). Fuel is burned in an engine (125) in the presence of air. The engine exhaust passes through a solid oxide fuel cell (110) where it is consumed in the production of electricity and ionization of oxygen in an air stream (1) also introduced to the solid oxide fuel cell (110). The solid oxide fuel cell effluent fuel stream (21') and/or air stream (23') can be recycled through the engine (125), directed through a turbine (130) to recover additional energy therefrom, and/or passed through a catalytic converter (135). The resulting system exhaust has negligible to zero amounts of nitric oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulates.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a preheated micro-reformer system is disclosed comprising a reformer (42) and a micro-reformer (44) fluidly coupled to the reformer (42). The micro-reformer (44) being electrically preheatable. An apparatus comprising a micro-reformer (44) including a first zone (76) and a second zone (78), the first zone (76) being preheatable to a first temperature and the second zone (78) being preheatable to a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature. A method of using a micro-reformer (44) that is electrically preheatable is disclosed comprising initiating an electrically preheatable micro-reformer (44). The micro-reformer (44) is preheated. The preheating can be accomplished by converting electrical energy (56) into thermal energy (66). A method of using a preheated micro-reformer (44) is disclosed comprising preheating a first zone (76), preheating a second zone (78) to a temperature higher than the first zone (76), vaporizing a fuel air mixture (60) in the first zone (76), and reforming the fuel air mixture (60) in the second zone (78).
Abstract:
A method and system (10) for controlling reformate (102) delivered to an electrochemical cell (50) in an electric power system (10). The system (10) comprises: a reformate pressure sensor (22) disposed in the reformate (102) and configured to measure reformate pressure; a controllable valve (60) configured to control the flow of reformate (102) to the electrochemical cell (50); and a controller (30) coupled to the reformate pressure sensor (22) and the controllable valve (60). The controller (30) receives a reformate pressure signal (104) from the reformate pressure sensor (22), a controllable valve position signal (106) from the controllable valve (60), and transmits a controllable valve command (108) to the controllable valve (60).
Abstract:
The present system and method relate to power generation utilizing an exhaust side solid oxide fuel cell (110). Fuel is burned in an engine (125) in the presence of air. The engine exhaust passes through a solid oxide fuel cell (110) where it is consumed in the production of electricity and ionization of oxygen in an air stream (1) also introduced to the solid oxide fuel cell (110). The solid oxide fuel cell effluent fuel stream (21') and/or air stream (23') can be recycled through the engine (125), directed through a turbine (130) to recover additional energy therefrom, and/or passed through a catalytic converter (135). The resulting system exhaust has negligible to zero amounts of nitric oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulates.
Abstract:
A method of controlling temperature at a fuel reformer (22) comprises sensing the temperature at the fuel reformer (22) and adding air (48) to the fuel reformer (22). A dual air actuator system (100) for use with a fuel reformer (22) comprises air control valves (45, 46) in fluid communication with the fuel reformer (22) and a temperature sensor (72) in electrical communication with the air control valves (45, 46).
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a preheated micro-reformer system is disclosed comprising a reformer (42) and a micro-reformer (44) fluidly coupled to the reformer (42). The micro-reformer (44) being electrically preheatable. An apparatus comprising a micro-reformer (44) including a first zone (76) and a second zone (78), the first zone (76) being preheatable to a first temperature and the second zone (78) being preheatable to a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature. A method of using a micro-reformer (44) that is electrically preheatable is disclosed comprising initiating an electrically preheatable micro-reformer (44). The micro-reformer (44) is preheated. The preheating can be accomplished by converting electrical energy (56) into thermal energy (66). A method of using a preheated micro-reformer (44) is disclosed comprising preheating a first zone (76), preheating a second zone (78) to a temperature higher than the first zone (76), vaporizing a fuel air mixture (60) in the first zone (76), and reforming the fuel air mixture (60) in the second zone (78).
Abstract:
A method of main reformer (102) startup is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a first supply of fuel (122) and a first supply of air (123) into a micro-reformer (120). The first supply of fuel (123) is increased to produce a heated reformate (126) in the micro-reformer (120). The heated reformate (126) is directed through a main reformer (102) in order to heat the main reformer (102). At least a portion of the heated reformate (126) is burned in the main reformer (102). A second supply of fuel (103) and a second supply of air (108) is introduced into the main reformer (102) to produce a main supply of reformate (62). A method for maintaining a vehicle device in standby condition is also disclosed.