Arnold Otto Isenberg

Hydrocarbon reformer for electrochemical cells

An apparatus for and method of continuously supplying a conditioned fuel, such as CO and H2, to an electrochemical generator such as a high temperature solid oxide electrolyte, fuel cell generator (SOFC) (12, 14), for electrochemical reactions and continually regenerating a hydrocarbon reformation catalyst by providing at least two iron metal/iron oxide beds. At least one bed, a reformation bed (48), is mainly in the iron oxide (FeO) condition and incoming hydrocarbon feed fuel gas, such as natural gas, will be reformed or conditioned at a temperature of about 600 DEG C to 800 DEG C on the iron oxide to CO and H2 which represents the fuel to be fed to the fuel cells of the electrochemical generator, thereby reducing iron oxide to iron metal (Fe). While the FeO reformer bed is being reduced to Fe, the at least one other bed, an oxidation bed (50), which previously served as a reformer bed mainly in the iron metal condition (Fe) is oxidized at a temperature of about 600 DEG C to 800 DEG C to mainly FeO form with generator spent fuel gases, thereby oxidizing iron to iron oxide and also producing some additional conditioned fuel gas. The beds can be operated concurrently or sequentially, and when each bed becomes substantially exhausted, it is switched over in function to the other mode of operation.

High-temperature solid oxide fuel cell — technical status

Abstract The high-temperature Solid Oxide electrolyte Fuel Cell (SOFC) represents the basic building block for power generation in a variety of applications ranging from total energy systems for residences, industrial cogeneration systems, and utility central station power production. The cell operates at approx. 1000 °C, using a variety of fuels. Yttria-stabilised zirconia is the solid electrolyte that conducts oxygen ions from the cathode to the fuel electrode where the fuel is oxidised to release electrons (current) to an external load. This paper describes the operating principle of the SOFC and relates its component composition in the thin layer concept. Performance and life test data to 5000 h will be presented. Sulphur tolerance prediction data and actual tolerance test data are also presented. In addition, test results will include the effect of various fuels, e.g. , CO and/or H 2 (as derived from coal gas), on the performance of the SOFC cell. The status of the present technology is also described. Finally, the usefulness of the SOFC generator, studied as part of a cogeneration system is discussed.