Regenerative fuel cell electric power plant and operating method
First Claim
1. An electric power plant comprising:
- a power supply system comprising a power bus, a first fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, a second fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, a first switch selectively operable to electrically couple the first fuel cell system in series in the power bus, and a second switch selectively operable to electrically couple the second fuel cell system in series in the power bus, the fuel cell systems each comprising a regenerative fuel cell stack;
an oxidant supply system for supplying an oxidant gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a fuel supply system for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a system for supplying a humidified carrier gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a DC current supply system for connecting a power source across the fuel cell stacks; and
, a storage system for storing hydrogen received from the fuel cell stacks.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, an electric power plant comprises an array of fuel cell systems, the fuel cell systems each comprising a regenerative fuel cell stack, an oxidant supply system for supplying an oxidant gas to the stacks, a fuel supply system for supplying a fuel gas to the stacks, a system for supplying a humidified carrier gas to the stacks, a DC current supply system for connecting a power source across the stacks, and a storage system for storing hydrogen received from the stacks. In power generation mode, the fuel cells of the present power plant generate electricity for supply to one or more electrical loads. In electrolysis mode, the stacks generate hydrogen from a humidified carrier gas stream.
56 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An electric power plant comprising:
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a power supply system comprising a power bus, a first fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, a second fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, a first switch selectively operable to electrically couple the first fuel cell system in series in the power bus, and a second switch selectively operable to electrically couple the second fuel cell system in series in the power bus, the fuel cell systems each comprising a regenerative fuel cell stack;
an oxidant supply system for supplying an oxidant gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a fuel supply system for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a system for supplying a humidified carrier gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a DC current supply system for connecting a power source across the fuel cell stacks; and
,a storage system for storing hydrogen received from the fuel cell stacks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electric power plant comprising:
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an array of fuel cell systems, the fuel cell systems each comprising a regenerative fuel cell stack;
an oxidant supply system for supplying an oxidant gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a fuel supply system for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a system for supplying a humidified carrier gas to the fuel cell stacks;
a DC current supply system for connecting a power source across the fuel cell stacks; and
,a storage system for storing hydrogen received from the fuel cell stacks. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification