SOFC system and method which maintain a reducing anode environment
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system, comprising:
- operating the SOFC system which includes a hotbox containing a SOFC stack and a hydrogen supply, in steady-state by;
providing a flow of fuel from a fuel supply to the SOFC system to generate electricity and maintain the SOFC stack at a temperature of above 750°
C.; and
maintaining the hydrogen supply at a temperature ranging from about 150°
C. to about 300°
C. to store hydrogen; and
shutting down the SOFC system by;
stopping the flow of the fuel to the SOFC system;
heating the hydrogen supply to a temperature ranging from about 400°
C. to about 650°
C. using residual heat of the hotbox to release the stored hydrogen; and
providing the hydrogen released from the hydrogen supply to the SOFC stack before the SOFC stack temperature drops below 750°
C., such that an anode reducing environment is maintained in the SOFC stack.
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Abstract
A solid oxide fuel cell system and method including a hotbox containing a fuel cell stack, a fuel supply configured to provide a fuel to the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply thermally integrated with the hotbox. The hydrogen supply is configured to produce hydrogen during or shortly after the SOFC system is shutdown using residual heat of the hot box, and to provide the hydrogen to the SOFC stack such that an anode reducing environment is maintained in the stack.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system, comprising:
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operating the SOFC system which includes a hotbox containing a SOFC stack and a hydrogen supply, in steady-state by; providing a flow of fuel from a fuel supply to the SOFC system to generate electricity and maintain the SOFC stack at a temperature of above 750°
C.; andmaintaining the hydrogen supply at a temperature ranging from about 150°
C. to about 300°
C. to store hydrogen; andshutting down the SOFC system by; stopping the flow of the fuel to the SOFC system; heating the hydrogen supply to a temperature ranging from about 400°
C. to about 650°
C. using residual heat of the hotbox to release the stored hydrogen; andproviding the hydrogen released from the hydrogen supply to the SOFC stack before the SOFC stack temperature drops below 750°
C., such that an anode reducing environment is maintained in the SOFC stack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification