Fuel cell system containing anode tail gas oxidizer and hybrid heat exchanger/reformer
First Claim
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1. A method of operating fuel cell system, comprising:
- providing a hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream into a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst;
reforming the hydrocarbon fuel in the fuel heat exchanger;
providing a reformed fuel from the fuel heat exchanger into at least one fuel cell stack;
providing at least one exhaust stream from the at least one fuel cell stack into the fuel heat exchanger to exchange heat with the hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream;
providing an exhaust stream from the anode tail gas oxidizer through an air heat exchanger; and
providing the exhaust stream from the anode tail gas oxidizer exiting the air heat exchanger to steam generator.
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Abstract
A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger. The fuel heat exchanger is thermally integrated with an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) exhaust conduit such that in operation an ATO exhaust stream in the ATO exhaust conduit heats a fuel inlet stream passing through the heat exchanger.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of operating fuel cell system, comprising:
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providing a hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream into a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst; reforming the hydrocarbon fuel in the fuel heat exchanger;
providing a reformed fuel from the fuel heat exchanger into at least one fuel cell stack;providing at least one exhaust stream from the at least one fuel cell stack into the fuel heat exchanger to exchange heat with the hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream; providing an exhaust stream from the anode tail gas oxidizer through an air heat exchanger; and providing the exhaust stream from the anode tail gas oxidizer exiting the air heat exchanger to steam generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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10. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:
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providing a first fuel inlet stream and an air exhaust stream into an anode tail gas oxidizer, the air exhaust stream being generated by a fuel cell stack; oxidizing the first fuel inlet stream in the anode tail gas oxidizer; providing a second fuel inlet stream into a fuel heat exchanger; providing a fuel exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack into the fuel heat exchanger; heating the second fuel inlet stream in the fuel heat exchanger using both the fuel exhaust stream and the an exhaust stream from the anode tail gas oxidizer; and providing the second fuel inlet stream into the fuel cell stack after heating the second fuel inlet stream. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 18)
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19. A method of operating fuel cell system, comprising:
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providing a hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream into a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst; reforming the hydrocarbon fuel in the fuel heat exchanger; providing a reformed fuel from the fuel heat exchanger into at least one fuel cell stack; providing at least one exhaust stream from the at least one fuel cell stack into the fuel heat exchanger to exchange heat with the hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream; and splitting the at least one exhaust stream exiting from the fuel heat exchanger into at least two streams, a first exhaust stream being provided to the hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream, and a second exhaust stream being provided to an anode tail gas oxidizer.
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Specification