Enhanced efficiency turbine

• US 7,818,969 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energyield LLC, John L. Rogitz
• Original Assignee: Energyield LLC, John L. Rogitz
• Inventors: Hotto, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodríguez; William H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wongwian; Phutthiwat
• Application Number:
  US12/641,626
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 60/391.2, 607/80, 608/01, 606/98, 607/16, 429/12, 429/17, 429/19
• US Class Current: 60/780
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1293 Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/147 Fuel cells with molten carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0618 Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/08 Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

Hydrocarbon fuel is sent to a reformer, which produces carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a fuel cell which uses it to generate electricity, and the electricity is used to actuate an electric motor that is coupled to an output shaft of a turbine to impart torque to the shaft. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuel can be provided to the turbine intake directly and/or carbon from the reformer can be mixed with steam from the fuel cell and sent to the turbine intake, in either case to impinge on the turbine blades and impart further torque to the output shaft.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one reformer assembly receiving hydrocarbon fuel and outputting hydrogen from a first output and product depleted of hydrogen from a second output separate from the first output outputting hydrogen;

at least one fuel cell receiving hydrogen from the first output of the reformer but not being connected to the second output of the reformer, the fuel cell providing a first energy output and an output of water vapor;

the water vapor being mixed with product from the second output of the reformer to provide a mixture;

the mixture being mixed with fuel and directed to a turbine and combusting to impart torque to the turbine;

the first energy output of the fuel cell also being used to impart torque to the output shaft of the turbine.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mixture further includes a surfactant.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the output shaft of the turbine is coupled to a generator to cause the generator to output electricity when the output shaft is rotated.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the turbine propels a vehicle to move.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first energy output of the fuel cell is connected to an electric motor and the electric motor is coupled to a rotor coupling of the turbine, the first energy output actuating the electric motor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is provided to an intake of the turbine in addition to being provided to the reformer.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is electrically connected to a turbine ignition component to provide ignition energy thereto.

8. A system comprising:

at least one turbine including an output shaft;

at least one fuel cell providing output that is coupled to the turbine so as to impart torque to the output shaft;

at least one reformer receiving hydrocarbon fuel and outputting from a first output a stream of hydrogen and from a second output a stream of product depleted of hydrogen separate from the stream of hydrogen;

the fuel cell receiving hydrogen output by the first output of the reformer but not product output by the second output of the reformer, wherein the fuel cell produces water vapor, the water vapor being mixed with product depleted of hydrogen output by the reformer to provide a mixture, the mixture being mixed with fuel and directed to a turbine to impart torque to the turbine.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fuel cell is electrically connected to an electric motor to actuate the electric motor.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein fluid or steam produced by the fuel cell is directed to an intake of the turbine.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the system provides hydrocarbon fuel to an intake of the turbine in addition to providing the hydrocarbon fuel to a reformer supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the fuel cell is electrically connected to a turbine ignition component to provide ignition energy thereto.