Enhanced efficiency turbine
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- at least one reformer assembly receiving hydrocarbon fuel and outputting hydrogen from as 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 exhaust;
product from the second output of the reformer being directed into a receiver such that the receiver receives both the exhaust from the fuel cell and the product from the second output of the reformer.
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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.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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at least one reformer assembly receiving hydrocarbon fuel and outputting hydrogen from as 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 exhaust; product from the second output of the reformer being directed into a receiver such that the receiver receives both the exhaust from the fuel cell and the product from the second output of the reformer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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at least one fuel cell providing output; at least one reformer assembly receiving hydrocarbon fuel and reforming the hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen and carbon outputs; the fuel cell receiving the hydrogen output from the reformer assembly, wherein the fuel cell produces exhaust, at least the exhaust of the fuel cell resulting from the fuel cell processing the hydrogen output from the reformer assembly being directed to a turbine to impart torque to the turbine, the turbine including injectors configured for receiving the exhaust of the fuel cell resulting from the fuel cell processing the hydrogen output from the reformer assembly and for injecting the exhaust of the fuel cell resulting from fuel cell processing the hydrogen output from the reformer assembly into the turbine, the turbine further comprising a compressor section of the turbine, and a combustor section for igniting the exhaust of the fuel cell resulting from the fuel cell processing the hydrogen output from the former assembly received from the injectors. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system comprising:
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at least one fuel cell providing output; at least one turbine providing output; at least one reformer assembly receiving hydrocarbon fuel and outputting separated streams of hydrogen fuel and carbon reformate fuel; wherein the hydrogen fuel is directed to the fuel cell and the carbon reformate fuel is directed to the turbine, bypassing the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification