摘要:
An apparatus and method for enhancing the yield and purity of hydrogen when reforming hydrocarbons is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock fuel (e.g., methane, vaporized methanol, natural gas, vaporized diesel, etc.) and steam at a reaction zone and reacting the hydrocarbon feedstock fuel and steam in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is selectively removed from the reaction zone while the reaction is occurring by selectively diffusing the hydrogen gas through a porous ceramic membrane. The selective removal of hydrogen changes the equilibrium of the reaction and increases the amount of hydrogen that is extracted from the hydrocarbon feedstock fuel.
摘要:
A ceramic electrode for a gliding electric arc system. The ceramic electrode includes a ceramic fin defining a spine, a heel, and a tip. A discharge edge of the ceramic fin defines a diverging profile approximately from the heel of the ceramic fin to the tip of the ceramic fin. A mounting surface coupled to the ceramic fin facilitates mounting the ceramic fin within the gliding electric arc system. One or more ceramic electrodes may be used in the gliding electric arc system or other systems which at least partially oxidize a combustible material.
摘要:
A ceramic electrode for a gliding electric arc system. The ceramic electrode includes a ceramic fin defining a spine, a heel, and a tip. A discharge edge of the ceramic fin defines a diverging profile approximately from the heel of the ceramic fin to the tip of the ceramic fin. A mounting surface coupled to the ceramic fin facilitates mounting the ceramic fin within the gliding electric arc system. One or more ceramic electrodes may be used in the gliding electric arc system or other systems which at least partially oxidize a combustible material.
摘要:
A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for use in generating electricity while tolerating sulfur content in a fuel input stream. The solid oxide fuel cell includes an electrolyte, a cathode, and a sulfur tolerant anode. The cathode is disposed on a first side of the electrolyte. The sulfur tolerant anode is disposed on a second side of the electrolyte opposite the cathode. The sulfur tolerant anode includes a composition of nickel, copper, and ceria to exhibit a substantially stable operating voltage at a constant current density in the presence of the sulfur content within the fuel input stream. The solid oxide fuel cell is useful within a SOFC stack to generate electricity from reformate which includes synthesis gas (syngas) and sulfur content. The solid oxide fuel cell is also useful within a SOFC stack to generate electricity from unreformed hydrocarbon fuel.
摘要:
An electrolyzer cell is disclosed which includes a cathode to reduce an oxygen-containing molecule, such as H2O, CO2, or a combination thereof, to produce an oxygen ion and a fuel molecule, such as H2, CO, or a combination thereof. An electrolyte is coupled to the cathode to transport the oxygen ion to an anode. The anode is coupled to the electrolyte to receive the oxygen ion and produce oxygen gas therewith. In one embodiment, the anode may be fabricated to include an electron-conducting phase having a perovskite crystalline structure or structure similar thereto. This perovskite may have a chemical formula of substantially (Pr(1-x)Lax)(z-y)A′yBO(3-∂), wherein 0
摘要:
A thermally integrated reformer (10) is located inside the stack furnace (12), housing stacks (14) of solid oxide fuel cells (16). The energy to support the endothermic reformation reaction converting hydrocarbon and water feedstock into hydrogen and carbon monoxide fuel is supplied by heat recuperated from the oxidation process in the stack (14) of fuel cells (16). The source of hydrocarbons is de-sulfurized natural gas. Heat transfers to the incrementally shielded packed beds (30, 60) of the reactors (18, 19) of the reformer (10) by radiation from the stacks (14) and furnace wall (38) and by forced convection from the exhausting airflow exiting the stack furnace (12). Temperature gradients in the reformer (10) are controlled by selective (or incremented) radiation shielding (20) and by counterflow heat exchange to prevent excessive premature cracking in the reformer where carbonization would clog interstices and render the catalyst granules (32) ineffective.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for incinerating a medical waste material. The method includes introducing a volume of the medical waste material into a plasma zone of a non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator to incinerate the medical waste material.
摘要:
A method is provided for synthesizing synthesis gas from carbon dioxide obtained from atmospheric air or other available carbon dioxide source and water using a sodium-conducting electrochemical cell. Synthesis gas is also produced by the coelectrolysis of carbon dioxide and steam in a solid oxide fuel cell or solid oxide electrolytic cell. The synthesis gas produced may then be further processed and eventually converted into a liquid fuel suitable for transportation or other applications.
摘要:
A method for increasing the reliability of an electrolyzer cell stack includes providing multiple electrolyzer cell stacks. Each electrolyzer cell stack includes multiple cells separated by electrically conductive interconnects. The method may further include generating, using an external power source, an electrical current through each of the electrolyzer cell stacks to produce a fuel. The method may further include electrically connecting an interconnect of a first electrolyzer cell stack to an interconnect of a second electrolyzer cell stack located at a substantially equivalent electrical potential. This allows current to flow from one electrolyzer cell stack to another in the event a cell fails or creates a point of high resistance.
摘要:
A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.