Pre-reformer for selective reformation of higher hydrocarbons

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9287572-B2
Application number	US-201414519560-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 21, 2014
Priority date	Oct 23, 2013
Publication date	Mar 15, 2016
Grant date	Mar 15, 2016

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An anode recuperator for a fuel cell system, comprising:
a first annular fuel passage, wherein an inner wall of the first annular fuel passage is configured to form an upper plenum surrounded by the first annular fuel passage;
an annular pre-reformer coupled to the first annular fuel passage and configured to receive an unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and at least partially reform the unreformed fuel stream to generate a reformed fuel stream, the annular pre-reformer located axially inward of the first annular fuel passage; and
an annular anode exhaust passage surrounding at least a portion of the first annular fuel passage and the annular pre-reformer, the annular anode exhaust passage thermally coupled to the first annular fuel passage such that an anode exhaust stream in the annular anode exhaust passage provides heat to the unreformed fuel stream in the first annular fuel passage, wherein the annular pre-reformer is separated from the annular anode exhaust passage;

further comprising a second annular fuel passage coupled to the annular pre-reformer and configured to receive the reformed fuel stream from the annular pre-reformer;
wherein:
an inner wall of the second annular fuel passage is configured to form a lower plenum surrounded by the second annular fuel passage;
the annular anode exhaust passage surrounds at least a portion of the second annular fuel passage and the annular anode exhaust passage is thermally coupled to the second annular fuel passage such that the anode exhaust stream in the annular anode exhaust passage provides heat to the reformed fuel stream in the second annular fuel passage; and

the annular pre-reformer is separated from the annular anode exhaust passage by the first annular fuel passage or the second annular fuel passage; and

wherein:
the annular pre-reformer includes a first annular pre-reforming passage and a second annular pre-reforming passage, the first annular pre-reforming passage encircling the second annular pre-reforming passage; and
the first annular pre-reforming passage is configured to receive the unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and the second annular pre-reforming passage is configured to provide the reformed fuel stream to the second annular fuel passage.

2. The anode recuperator of claim 1 , wherein a pre-reformer catalyst is located in both the first annular pre-reforming passage and the second annular pre-reforming passage.

3. The anode recuperator of claim 2 , wherein:
an inner wall of the second annular pre-reformer passage is configured to form a hollow plenum surrounded by the second annular pre-reformer passage; and
the pre-reformer catalyst is not located in the hollow plenum.

4. The anode recuperator of claim 1 , wherein a pre-reformer catalyst is located only in the second annular pre-reformer passage and is not located in the first annular pre-reforming passage.

5. An anode recuperator for a fuel cell system, comprising:
a first annular fuel passage, wherein an inner wall of the first annular fuel passage is configured to form an upper plenum surrounded by the first annular fuel passage;
an annular pre-reformer coupled to the first annular fuel passage and configured to receive an unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and at least partially reform the unreformed fuel stream to generate a reformed fuel stream, the annular pre-reformer located axially inward of the first annular fuel passage; and
an annular anode exhaust passage surrounding at least a portion of the first annular fuel passage and the annular pre-reformer, the annular anode exhaust passage thermally coupled to the first annular fuel passage such that an anode exhaust stream in the annular anode exhaust passage provides heat to the unreformed fuel stream in the first annular fuel passage,

wherein the annular pre-reformer is separated from the annular anode exhaust passage;
further comprising a second annular fuel passage coupled to the annular pre-reformer and configured to receive the reformed fuel stream from the annular pre-reformer;
wherein:
an inner wall of the second annular fuel passage is configured to form a lower plenum surrounded by the second annular fuel passage;
the annular anode exhaust passage surrounds at least a portion of the second annular fuel passage and the annular anode exhaust passage is thermally coupled to the second annular fuel passage such that the anode exhaust stream in the annular anode exhaust passage provides heat to the reformed fuel stream in the second annular fuel passage; and
the annular pre-reformer is separated from the annular anode exhaust passage by the first annular fuel passage or the second annular fuel passage; and

wherein:
the annular pre-reformer includes a first annular pre-reforming passage and a second annular pre-reforming passage, the first annular pre-reforming passage encircling the second annular pre-reforming passage; and
the second annular pre-reforming passage is configured to receive the unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and the first annular pre-reforming passage is configured to provide the reformed fuel stream to the second annular fuel passage.

6. The anode recuperator of claim 5 , wherein a pre-reformer catalyst is located in both the first annular pre-reforming passage and the second annular pre-reforming passage.

7. The anode recuperator of claim 6 , wherein:
an inner wall of the second annular pre-reformer passage is configured to form a hollow plenum surrounded by the second annular pre-reformer passage; and
the pre-reformer catalyst is not located in the hollow plenum.

8. The anode recuperator of claim 5 , wherein a pre-reformer catalyst is located only in the second annular pre-reformer passage and is not located in the first annular pre-reforming passage.

9. An anode recuperator for a fuel cell system, comprising:
a first annular fuel passage, wherein an inner wall of the first annular fuel passage is configured to form an upper plenum surrounded by the first annular fuel passage;
an annular pre-reformer coupled to the first annular fuel passage and configured to receive an unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and at least partially reform the unreformed fuel stream to generate a reformed fuel stream, the annular pre-reformer located axially inward of the first annular fuel passage; and
an annular anode exhaust passage surrounding at least a portion of the first annular fuel passage and the annular pre-reformer, the annular anode exhaust passage thermally coupled to the first annular fuel passage such that an anode exhaust stream in the annular anode exhaust passage provides heat to the unreformed fuel stream in the first annular fuel passage,
wherein the annular pre-reformer is separated from the annular anode exhaust passage; and

wherein:
the annular pre-reformer includes a first annular pre-reforming passage and a second annular pre-reforming passage, the first annular pre-reforming passage encircling the second annular pre-reforming passage;
the first annular pre-reforming passage is configured to receive the unreformed fuel stream from the first annular fuel passage and the second annular pre-reforming passage is configured to provide the reformed fuel stream to an anode feed manifold; and
a pre-reformer catalyst is located only in the second annular pre-reformer passage and is not located in the first annular pre-reforming passage.

10. The anode recuperator of claim 9 , wherein the anode feed manifold includes an inner cylindrical space and an outer ring concentrically aligned in a same plane, t

Assignees

• Bloom Energy Corp

Inventors

• Weingaertner David
• Kalika Vlad
• Perry Martin

Classifications

• H01M8/0618 Primary

  Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming · CPC title

• H01M8/0637

  Direct internal reforming at the anode of the fuel cell · CPC title

• H01M2008/1293

  Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/004

  Cylindrical, tubular or wound · CPC title