WO1991017580A1 - Fuel preheating for a fuel processing system of a fuel cell power plant - Google Patents
Fuel preheating for a fuel processing system of a fuel cell power plant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1991017580A1 WO1991017580A1 PCT/US1991/003289 US9103289W WO9117580A1 WO 1991017580 A1 WO1991017580 A1 WO 1991017580A1 US 9103289 W US9103289 W US 9103289W WO 9117580 A1 WO9117580 A1 WO 9117580A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- pass
- heat exchanger
- relationship
- power plant
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
- H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/0612—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
Heat exchanger (4) operates in counterflow relationship to cool reformed gas and to heat raw gas during operation with gaseous raw fuel feed. It also operates in counterflow relationship when preheating the system while recirculating inert gas. This same heat exchanger (4) operates in parallel flow relationship when liquid raw fuel is to be vaporized. Only one heat exchanger is required while avoiding cracking and fouling in the heat exchanger.
Description
Description
Fuel Preheating for a Fuel Processing System of a Fuel Cell Power Plant
Technical Field The invention relates to fuel cell power generation systems and in particular to a fuel processing system suited for both gas and liquid fuels.
Background of the Invention
The fuel cells of a fuel cell power plant operate on gaseous fuel. Where the raw fuel is itself gaseous it is preheated in a heat exchanger as it enters the fuel processing system. The heat is supplied by gaseous effluent from the reformer. These heat exchangers are designed for counterflow heat transfer whereby the maximum heat transfer is achieved with minimum surface.
The various components of the fuel processing system must be preheated before operation of the plant. Conventionally an inert gas is introduced into the system where heat is supplied by firing in the reformer. This inert gas is recycled through the system, being cooled in a heat exchanger to prevent overheating of some of the low temperature components. The same heat exchanger as is used for heating the fuel is used to both cool this gas upstream of the low temperature components, and to partially reheat the gas as it is recycled to the high temperature components.
The previously described counterflow relationship is ideal for this since it achieves maximum efficiency of the heat exchanger.
On occasions, however, it is desirable to operate a fuel cell plant with a liquid raw fuel feed. If such fuel is introduced in counterflow relationship with the high temperatures encountered at the reformer outlet, there is potential for fuel cracking and heat exchanger fouling. Conventional systems have used a second heat exchanger to perform this duty.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of this invention to avoid the necessity of two heat exchangers on a dual fuel power plant. This is accomplished by arranging the heat exchanger so that it may selectively operate in parallel flow or counterflow relationship.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the fuel cell power plant and the fuel preheating arrangement showing the heat exchanger operation when gas is being heated or when the system is processing a gaseous feedstock;
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the fuel cell power plant when liquid is being vaporized in the heat exchanger; and
Figure 3 shows the flow direction reversal on the raw fuel side.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to Figure 1 which illustrates operation on gaseous fuel, raw gas enters through line 3 is mixed
with recycled gas flows to the two-way heat exchanger 4 and through second pass 10. The preheated gas passes through hydrodesulfurizer 13 is mixed with steam introduced through valve 12 and flows to reformer 5 where heat is added to reform the gas. The hot gas then passes through a high temperature shift converter 14 and through transfer valves 6 into line 16 and through first pass 18 of heat exchanger 4 in counterflow relationship with second pass 10. The cooled gas passes through changeover valve 7 to low temperature shift converter 20 and cooler 22 in which a portion of the moisture is removed. The gas then passes to fuel cell 24. Before operating the plant it is required that the hydrodesulfurizer and the shift converters be preheated. For this purpose an inert gas is charged through line 28 into the system with valves 12 and 30 being closed. Blower 32 recycles this inert gas through the fuel treatment train. Heat exchanger 4 is again operated with the second pass 10 being in counterflow relationship with the first pass 18. This maintains the maximum efficiency of the heat exchanger thereby minimizing the amount of heat rejected from cooler 22 and heat added in the reformer 5.
When it is desired to operate on a liquid raw fuel such as naphtha, the heat exchanger operation is changed as illustrated in Figure 2. The raw fuel enters through line 3 into heat exchanger 4 where it again enters first pass 10. The fuel in passing through the heat exchanger is vaporized and superheated. The gaseous effluent from the heat exchanger 4 passes again through components 13, 5 and
14 of the fuel processing train and passes to changeover valve 6. In this case changeover valve is switched to the illustrated position where the flow through line 34 is switched over to line 36 passing through changeover valve 7 passing to line 38. It then passes through first pass 18 of the heat exchanger in the reverse direction returning to changeover valve 6 to line 40.
This flow is routed to line 42 to changeover valve 7 where it returns to the original loop passing to line 44 to the remainder of the fuel process train. This places the liquid phase of the naptha in contact with the cooler gas. Overheating of the film of liquid on the heat exchanger surface is avoided, thereby avoiding fouling and cracking of the fuel.
Figure 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment where the flow reversal is accomplished on the raw fuel side of the two-way heat exchanger 4. Preheating of the system of inert gas from line 28 is accomplished as previously described, but with valve 46 closed and valve 48 open.
Liquid raw fuel is introduced from line 50. Liquid fuel valve 52 and gas fuel valve 54 are in this case functional equipment of the first changeover valve 6.
The liquid fuel passes through line 56 where with valve 48 closed it passes through the second pass 10 of the heat exchanger in the reverse direction affecting parallel flow heat transfer with the gas passing through the first pass 18. The now vaporized liquid passes as a gas through line 58 and through now open valve 46 to the hydrodesulfurizer 13 and hence to the remainder of the fuel processing system.
Valves 46 and 48 are the functional equivalent of the second changeover valve 7.
Claims
1. A method of operating a dual fuel fuel cell power plant comprising: recycling inert gas serially through a fired gas reformer, a first pass in a two-way heat exchanger, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, a blower, a second pass in said two-way heat exchanger in counterflow relationship with said first pass, and returning said inert gas to said reformer, while preheating the components of the power plant in preparation for operation; operating said power plant on gaseous fuel including passing hot reformed fuel from said reformer through a first pass in said two-way heat exchanger and passing raw gaseous fuel through a second pass in said two-way heat exchanger in counterflow relationship with said first pass; and operating said power plant on liquid fuel including passing hot reformed fuel from said reformer through a first pass in said two-way heat exchanger, and passing raw liquid fuel through a second pass in said heat transfer exchanger in parallel flow relationship with said first pass to vaporize said liquid fuel.
2. A fuel preheating system for fuel cells comprising: a heat exchanger having a first pass fluid flow path and a second pass fluid flow path, said first pass fluid flow path and said second pass fluid flow path and said second pass fluid path being in heat exchange relationship; means for passing a gaseous fuel through said first pass; means for passing hot gas through second pass in counterflow heat transfer relationship with said first pass; means for reversing the direction of flow of one of said first paths and second paths and passing liquid fuel in heat exchange relationship with said hot gas in parallel flow relationship.
3. A fuel preheating system as in claim 2 wherein said means for reversing the direction of flow comprises: means for reversing the flow direction through said first pass.
4. A fuel preheating system as in claim 2 wherein said means for reversing the direction of flow comprises: means for reversing the flow direction through said second pass.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/521,481 US5043232A (en) | 1990-05-10 | 1990-05-10 | Fuel Preheating for a fuel processing system of a fuel cell power plant |
US521,481 | 1990-05-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1991017580A1 true WO1991017580A1 (en) | 1991-11-14 |
Family
ID=24076892
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1991/003289 WO1991017580A1 (en) | 1990-05-10 | 1991-05-10 | Fuel preheating for a fuel processing system of a fuel cell power plant |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5043232A (en) |
JP (1) | JP3089034B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1991017580A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1365466A2 (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2003-11-26 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for distributing water to an ion-exchange membrane in a fuel cell |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5725366A (en) * | 1994-03-28 | 1998-03-10 | Institute Of Gas Technology | High-heat transfer, low-nox oxygen-fuel combustion system |
US5499868A (en) * | 1994-08-31 | 1996-03-19 | Woodtronics | Self-supporting data processing desk module with detachable and longitudinally shiftable exhaust fan assembly and adjustable angle, reversible video deck bridges with front and rear continuous sweep grommets |
US6641625B1 (en) | 1999-05-03 | 2003-11-04 | Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. | Integrated hydrocarbon reforming system and controls |
US6365289B1 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2002-04-02 | General Motors Corporation | Cogeneration system for a fuel cell |
DE10003274A1 (en) * | 2000-01-26 | 2001-08-09 | Xcellsis Gmbh | System for supplying at least two components of a gas generation system |
US7081312B1 (en) | 2000-09-26 | 2006-07-25 | General Motors Corporation | Multiple stage combustion process to maintain a controllable reformation temperature profile |
US6740435B2 (en) | 2001-08-06 | 2004-05-25 | Utc Fuel Cells, Llc | System and method for preparing fuel for fuel processing system |
DE10157737A1 (en) * | 2001-11-24 | 2003-06-05 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | fuel cell plant |
DE10254842A1 (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2004-06-03 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | fuel cell plant |
CN100564246C (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2009-12-02 | 松下电器产业株式会社 | Hydrogen producing apparatus and fuel cell generation |
US20040253493A1 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2004-12-16 | Nissan Technical Center N. A. Inc. | Reformate purifying system for fuel processing systems |
JP5375119B2 (en) * | 2009-01-20 | 2013-12-25 | 株式会社ノーリツ | Cogeneration system |
US11597255B2 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2023-03-07 | Pony Al Inc. | Systems and methods for cooling vehicle components |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3553023A (en) * | 1966-10-24 | 1971-01-05 | United Aircraft Corp | Fuel cell gas reversal method and system |
US3704172A (en) * | 1971-03-29 | 1972-11-28 | United Aircraft Corp | Dual mode fuel cell system |
US4650728A (en) * | 1985-02-20 | 1987-03-17 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel-cell power plant |
US4670359A (en) * | 1985-06-10 | 1987-06-02 | Engelhard Corporation | Fuel cell integrated with steam reformer |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4582765A (en) * | 1981-08-25 | 1986-04-15 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Fuel cell system with coolant flow reversal |
US4994331A (en) * | 1989-08-28 | 1991-02-19 | International Fuel Cells Corporation | Fuel cell evaporative cooling using fuel as a carrier gas |
-
1990
- 1990-05-10 US US07/521,481 patent/US5043232A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1991
- 1991-05-10 WO PCT/US1991/003289 patent/WO1991017580A1/en unknown
- 1991-05-10 JP JP03509432A patent/JP3089034B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3553023A (en) * | 1966-10-24 | 1971-01-05 | United Aircraft Corp | Fuel cell gas reversal method and system |
US3704172A (en) * | 1971-03-29 | 1972-11-28 | United Aircraft Corp | Dual mode fuel cell system |
US4650728A (en) * | 1985-02-20 | 1987-03-17 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel-cell power plant |
US4670359A (en) * | 1985-06-10 | 1987-06-02 | Engelhard Corporation | Fuel cell integrated with steam reformer |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1365466A2 (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2003-11-26 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for distributing water to an ion-exchange membrane in a fuel cell |
EP1365466A3 (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2004-10-20 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for distributing water to an ion-exchange membrane in a fuel cell |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP3089034B2 (en) | 2000-09-18 |
US5043232A (en) | 1991-08-27 |
JPH05501175A (en) | 1993-03-04 |
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