Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Having magnetic field feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-10-16
Kalafut, Stephen (Department: 1745)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Having magnetic field feature
Reexamination Certificate
active
06303243
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a plant with high temperature fuel cells and to a method for the operation of the plant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A plant of this kind comprises an apparatus such as is known from EP-A 0 780 917 (=P.6719). This apparatus contains a cell block with fuel cells which is surrounded by a heat insulating sleeve. An afterburner chamber is located between the sleeve and the cell block. A reformer for the treatment of a fuel gas (also called a pre-reformer) is arranged in the sleeve. It is connected to a heat exchanger. Heat for the endothermic reforming process can be supplied to it from the exhaust gases.
In the reforming of the fuel gas, which consists mainly of methane in many applications, the latter is catalytically converted at least partially into CO and H
2
in the presence of H
2
O and with process heat being supplied. Instead of a gaseous fuel, a liquid one can be provided. Liquid fuel provides additional problems, in that liquid fuel must be fed into the reformer in a suitable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a plant with high temperature fuel cells in which the water (H
2
O) which is required for the total process is won and is supplied to the reforming in a manner which is advantageous for the entire process. Additional measures are also provided through which a soot formation in critical fuels, in particular in liquid fuels (which contain hydrocarbons C
n
H
2n+2
with n>5) is prevented as far as possible. This further object can also be satisfied by means of exhaust gas which can be taken from the afterburner chamber and which is fed back in a sufficiently large amount.
The plant in accordance with the invention contains high temperature fuel cells that are arranged with planar design in a centrally symmetrical stack. A supply point is provided for a gaseous or liquid fuel. In a reformer following the supply point the fuel can be catalytically converted at least partially into CO and H
2
in the presence of H
2
O and with process heat being supplied. An afterburner chamber follows the output points of the fuel cells. A feedback connection exists between the supply point and the afterburner chamber via which exhaust gas can be fed back to the supply point. In case no gas is provided as a fuel, the supply point comprises a means for feeding in a liquid fuel, for example an atomizer.
O
2
is supplied to the fuel with the fed back exhaust gas. This results in a partial oxidation in the reformer, through which the products CO and H
2
are formed from hydrocarbons C
n
H
2n+2
. The liberated heat is absorbed in the reforming, which takes place in parallel, and is thus utilized. Through the partial oxidation, soot formation is advantageously inhibited.
The CO
2
that is additionally contained in the fed back exhaust gas likewise yields, as does H
2
, a reforming of the hydrocarbons to CO and H
2
.
A method for the operation of this plant is disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3718506 (1973-02-01), Fischer
patent: 4128700 (1978-12-01), Sederquist
patent: 5079105 (1992-01-01), Bossel
patent: 6042956 (2000-03-01), Lenel
patent: 0266861A1 (1988-05-01), None
patent: 0654838A1 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 0780917A1 (1997-06-01), None
Kalafut Stephen
Sulzer Hexis AG
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Tsang Susy
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