High temperature fuel cell system with integrated heat exchanger network
First Claim
1. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:
- providing a fuel cell stack;
heating an air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack cathode exhaust stream;
heating the air inlet stream using heat from an uncombusted fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream; and
heating an anode feed stream using heat from the uncombusted fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream.
4 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged into a stack. A combustor receives a cathode exhaust flow from the fuel cell cathodes and a flow of fuel. The fuel is oxidized in the combustor by the cathode exhaust to produce a mixed exhaust flow. A cathode air flow path extends between a fresh air source and the fuel cell cathodes. An air preheater is arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the air preheater being heated therein by a flow of uncombusted anode exhaust from the fuel cell anodes. A cathode recuperator is arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the cathode recuperator being heated therein by the mixed exhaust flow. Water passing through a vaporizer is converted to steam by heat from the mixed exhaust flow and directed from the vaporizer to the fuel cell anodes.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:
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providing a fuel cell stack; heating an air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack cathode exhaust stream; heating the air inlet stream using heat from an uncombusted fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream; and heating an anode feed stream using heat from the uncombusted fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a fuel cell stack; an anode recuperator heat exchanger which is adapted to heat an anode feed stream using heat from an uncombusted fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream; a cathode recuperator heat exchanger which is adapted to heat an air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack cathode exhaust stream; and an air preheater heat exchanger which is adapted to heat the air inlet stream using heat from the uncombusted fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream; wherein the cathode recuperator heat exchanger is adapted to provide the cathode exhaust stream exiting the cathode recuperator heat exchanger at a temperature of at least 200°
C.;wherein the fuel cell stack, the anode recuperator heat exchanger and the cathode recuperator heat exchanger are located inside a hot box; and wherein an air blower which provides the air inlet stream is located outside the hot box.
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5. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a plurality of fuel cells arranged into a stack, each fuel cell having an anode and a cathode; a combustor receiving a cathode exhaust flow from the fuel cell cathodes and a flow of fuel, the fuel being oxidized in the combustor by the cathode exhaust to produce a mixed exhaust flow comprising cathode exhaust and combusted fuel; a cathode air flow path extending between a fresh air source and the fuel cell cathodes; an air preheater arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the air preheater being heated therein by a flow of uncombusted anode exhaust from the fuel cell anodes; a cathode recuperator arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the cathode recuperator being heated therein by the mixed exhaust flow; and a vaporizer, water passing through the vaporizer being converted to steam by heat from the mixed exhaust flow, the steam being directed from the vaporizer to the fuel cell anodes; and a condenser to remove water from the uncombusted anode exhaust after the uncombusted anode exhaust has passed through the air preheater.
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Specification