Abstract:
Processes and systems for operating molten carbonate fuel cell systems are described herein. A process for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell system includes providing a hydrogen-containing stream comprising molecular hydrogen to an anode portion of a molten carbonate fuel cell; controlling a flow rate of the hydrogen-containing stream to the anode such that molecular hydrogen utilization in the anode is less than 50%; mixing anode exhaust comprising molecular hydrogen from the molten carbonate fuel cell with a hydrocarbon stream comprising hydrocarbons, contacting at least a portion of the mixture of anode exhaust and the hydrocarbon stream with a catalyst to produce a steam reforming feed; separating at least a portion of molecular hydrogen from the steam reforming feed; and providing at least a portion of the separated molecular hydrogen to the molten carbonate fuel cell anode.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to systems and processes for operating molten carbonate fuel cell systems. A process for operating the molten carbonate fuel cell includes providing a hydrogen-containing stream comprising molecular hydrogen to a molten carbonate fuel cell anode; heating a hydrocarbon stream, at least a majority of which is comprised of hydrocarbons that are liquid at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure, with a heat source comprising an anode exhaust from the molten carbonate fuel cell anode; contacting at least a portion of the heated hydrocarbon stream with a catalyst to produce a steam reforming feed comprising gaseous hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and at least one carbon oxide; separating at least a portion of the molecular hydrogen from the steam reforming feed; and providing at least a portion of the separated molecular hydrogen to the molten carbonate fuel cell anode as at least a portion of the stream comprising molecular hydrogen.
Abstract:
A method of processing feed streams containing significant quantities of hydrogen sulfide is provided. The method includes providing a feed gas stream that includes hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons. The feed gas stream has at least 1% by volume hydrogen sulfide. At least a portion of the feed gas stream is separated into a hydrogen sulfide stream and a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrogen sulfide stream includes more hydrogen sulfide, by volume percent, than the feed stream; and the hydrocarbon stream contains less hydrogen sulfide, by volume percent, than the feed gas stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is processed to produce a natural gas product selected from pipeline natural gas, compressed natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. Greater than one-third of the hydrogen sulfide stream, on a volume basis, is combusted to generate thermal power.
Abstract:
A method of processing feed streams high in hydrogen sulfide is provided. The method includes providing a feed gas stream that includes hydrocarbons and at least 5 vol % hydrogen sulfide. At least a portion of the feed gas stream is separated into a hydrogen sulfide stream and a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is processed to produce natural gas. At least 34 mol. % of the hydrogen sulfide in the hydrogen sulfide stream is combusted with an oxidant to generate thermal power. Thermal power generated by the combustion is utilized in one or more of the steps of separating the feed gas stream into the hydrogen sulfide stream and the hydrocarbon gas stream, and processing the hydrocarbon gas stream to produce natural gas, compressed natural gas, or liquefied natural gas.
Abstract:
A method of producing sulfur dioxide is provided. A feed gas stream comprising at least 5% by volume hydrogen sulfide is provided. The feed gas stream is separated into a hydrogen sulfide stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream. An oxidant stream is provided and is combusted with the hydrogen sulfide stream to produce thermal power and a combustion stream containing sulfur dioxide and steam. Sulfur dioxide is separated from the combustion stream.