Integration of carbonate fuel cells with advanced coal gasification systems

Technical Report · Sun Nov 29 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10104097· OSTI ID:10104097

Steinfeld, G. ^[1]; Meyers, S. J. ^[2]; Hauserman, W. B. ^[3]

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1. Energy Research Corp., Danbury, CT (United States)
2. Fluor Daniel, Inc., Irvine, CA (United States)
3. North Dakota Univ., Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy and Environmental Research Center

Carbonate fuel cells have attributes which make them ideally suited to operate on coal-derived fuel gas; they can convert the methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide present in coal derived fuel gas directly to electricity, are not subject to thermodynamic cycle limits as are heat engines, and operate at temperatures compatible with coal gasifiers. Some new opportunities for improved efficiency have been identified in integrated coal gasification/carbonate fuel cells which take advantage of low temperature catalytic coal gasification producing a methane-rich fuel gas, and the internal methane reforming capabilities of Energy Research Corporation`s carbonate fuel cells. By selecting the appropriate operating conditions and catalyst in the gasifier, methane formation is maximized to improve gasification efficiency and to take advantage of the heat management aspects of the internal reforming carbonate fuel cell. These advanced integrated gasification/carbonate fuel cell systems are projected to have better efficiencies than gasification/carbonate fuel cell systems employing conventional gasification, and also competing non-fuel cell systems. These improved efficiencies would be accompanied by a corresponding reduction in impact on the environment as well.

• Research Organization: Energy Research Corp., Danbury, CT (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC21-90MC27227
• OSTI ID: 10104097
• Report Number(s): DOE/MC/27227--93/C0136; CONF--921114--3; ON: DE93003485
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010402
010404
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300502
BOTTOMING CYCLES
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
COAL GASIFICATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUEL GAS
GASIFICATION
HEAT RATE
HYDROGEN
METHANE
MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
PERFORMANCE AND TESTING
POTASSIUM CARBONATES
PURIFICATION
PURIFICATION AND UPGRADING
STEAM