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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Pressurized fuel cell power plant with air bypass. [using waste heat and auxiliary burner to compress air and fuel]

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7349627
A power plant for producing electricity uses fuel cells run on pressurized air and pressurized fuel. The air is compressed by compressor apparatus which is driven by waste energy in the form of hot pressurized gases produced in the power plant. In one embodiment the compressor apparatus includes a turbine operably connected to a compressor for driving the same. At part power, in order to maintain the pressure of the air being fed to the cells while reducing the amount of air fed to the cells, a portion of the compressed air is bypassed around the fuel cells, is increased in temperature using an auxiliary burner, and is delivered into the turbine to help drive the compressor. By doing this the mass flow of air through the cells may be reduced without reducing the mass flow of gases into the turbine thereby maintaining the speed of the compressor at part power.
Assignee:
United Technologies Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 3976506
OSTI ID:
7349627
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English