Title: System and method for removing water and hydrogen from anode exhaust

Abstract

A fuel cell system includes an anode configured to output an anode exhaust stream comprising hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and water; and a membrane dryer configured to receive the anode exhaust stream, remove water from the anode exhaust stream, and output a membrane dryer outlet stream. The membrane dryer includes a first chamber configured to receive the anode exhaust stream; a second chamber configured to receive a purge gas; and a semi-permeable membrane separating the first chamber and the second chamber. The semi-permeable membrane is configured to allow water to diffuse therethrough, thereby removing water from the anode exhaust stream. The membrane dryer may further be configured to remove hydrogen from the anode exhaust stream.

Inventors:

Jolly, Stephen; Chimbole, Jr., Frank J.; Jahnke, Fred C.; Malwitz, Jonathan; Ghezel-Ayagh, Hossein

Issue Date:

2021-12-14

Research Org.:

FuelCell Energy, Danbury, CT (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1860172

Patent Number(s):

11201337

Application Number:

16/229,285

Assignee:

FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Danbury, CT)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION

B01D2257/504 - Carbon dioxide
B01D2257/80 - Water
B01D2258/0208 - from fuel cells
B01D53/002 - {by condensation}
B01D53/226 - {in serial connexion}
B01D53/227 - {in parallel connexion}
B01D53/268 - {by diffusion}

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M2008/147 - {Fuel cells with molten carbonates}
H01M8/04097 - {with recycling of the reactants
H01M8/04149 - {by diffusion, e.g. making use of membranes}
H01M8/04156 - {with product water removal}
H01M8/04164 - {by condensers, gas-liquid separators or filters}
H01M8/04514 - {of anode exhausts}
H01M8/04843 - {of fuel cell exhausts}
H01M8/0662 - Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning
H01M8/0668 - Removal of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide
H01M8/0687 - {Reactant purification by the use of membranes or filters}
H01M8/145 - {comprising carbonates}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

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DOE Contract Number:  

FE0026580

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 12/21/2018

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English