Integrated solid oxide fuel cell mechanization and method of using for transportation industry applications
First Claim
1. A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:
- pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure, wherein said main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves;
directing said first supply of fuel and a first supply of air to a preheated micro-reformer;
creating a heated pre-reformate in said micro-reformer;
discharging said heated pre-reformate from said micro-reformer to a main reformer;
preheating said main reformer with said preheated pre-reformate;
introducing a second supply of fuel and a second supply of air to said main reformer;
creating a heated main reformate in said main reformer;
directing said heated main reformate to a waste energy recovery assembly;
heating a cathode supply in said waste energy recovery system; and
directing said heated cathode supply to heat said solid oxide fuel cell stack.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed. A solid oxide fuel cell mechanization for a transportation vehicle is also disclosed.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:
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pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure, wherein said main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves;
directing said first supply of fuel and a first supply of air to a preheated micro-reformer;
creating a heated pre-reformate in said micro-reformer;
discharging said heated pre-reformate from said micro-reformer to a main reformer;
preheating said main reformer with said preheated pre-reformate;
introducing a second supply of fuel and a second supply of air to said main reformer;
creating a heated main reformate in said main reformer;
directing said heated main reformate to a waste energy recovery assembly;
heating a cathode supply in said waste energy recovery system; and
directing said heated cathode supply to heat said solid oxide fuel cell stack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of transitioning a solid oxide fuel cell system to normal operating conditions, comprising:
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operating a main reformer to produce a reformate;
directing said reformate in a first stream and second stream to a waste energy recovery assembly;
catalytically combusting said first stream of said reformate in said waste energy recovery assembly;
producing thermal energy in said waste energy recovery assembly to heat said second stream of said reformate and a supply of air;
directing said second stream of said reformate and said supply of air to a solid oxide fuel cell stack; and
heating said solid oxide fuel cell stack to a temperature of about 600°
C. or greater.- View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:
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directing a supply of reformate from a waste energy recovery assembly to a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
using said supply of reformate and a supply of air in said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
producing electrical energy in said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
harnessing said electrical energy;
sensing a condition of said reformate; and
adjusting said supply of reformate and/or said supply of air, based upon said condition, to meet a demand by a vehicle for said electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method of shutting down a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:
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maintaining a supply of air to a solid oxide fuel cell stack and at least one thermal enclosure;
decreasing a supply of reformate to said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
stopping said supply of reformate after an anode oxidation period has passed; and
stopping said supply of air to said solid oxide fuel cell stack. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising:
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directing a supply of reformate and a supply of air to a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
operating said solid oxide fuel cell stack;
reducing said supply of reformate and said supply of air to said solid oxide fuel cell stack; and
maintaining said solid oxide fuel cell stack at a standby temperature of about 400°
C. to about 600°
C.- View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A solid oxide fuel cell mechanization for a transportation vehicle, comprising:
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a solid oxide fuel cell stack;
a reformer system disposed in fluid communication with said solid oxide fuel cell stack, wherein said reformer system comprises a main reformer and a micro-reformer;
a waste energy recovery assembly disposed in fluid communication with said solid oxide fuel cell stack and said reformer system;
a system enclosure disposed around said solid oxide fuel cell stack, said waste energy recovery assembly, and said reformer system;
a thermal management system disposed within said system enclosure, wherein said thermal management system comprises a main plenum and an insulation plenum enclosing a chamber, said chamber comprising said solid oxide fuel cell stack, said reformer system, and said waste energy recovery system; and
a process air supply disposed in fluid communication with said thermal management system. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification