Claims
- 1. A cogeneration system comprising:
a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate; a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate; a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack; and a third fluid loop for removing heat from at least one of the first and second loops for use in a cogenerative application.
- 2. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a fuel processor assembly, wherein steam is supplied by the first fluid loop, the fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce the hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust from which heat is captured for transfer to a cogenerative use.
- 3. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a fuel cell coolant circulating in the second fluid loop, wherein the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate are in heat exchange to maintain a fixed temperature difference in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 4. The cogeneration system of claim 3, wherein the fixed temperature difference is achieved before the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate enter the fuel cell stack.
- 5. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a fuel cell coolant circulating in the second fluid loop, wherein the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate are in heat exchange to maintain a difference within a set range of temperatures in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 6. The cogeneration system of claim 5, wherein the difference within a set range of temperatures is achieved before the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate enter the fuel cell stack.
- 7. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a fuel processor assembly for producing the hydrogen-rich reformate using an air blower and an exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application; wherein the fuel processor exhaust is in a heat exchange relationship with the first fluid loop and the air from the air blower entering the fuel processor assembly.
- 8. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a local control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to individual dwelling usage.
- 9. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a wide control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to multiple dwelling usage.
- 10. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for the heating of potable water; wherein the third fluid loop carries a fluid for providing space heating.
- 11. The cogeneration system of claim 1, wherein heat is extracted by the third fluid loop from at least one source in addition to the exhaust.
- 12. The cogeneration system of claim 11, wherein the additional heat source is selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen-rich reformate, a reformer, power electronics, a furnace and a boiler.
- 13. The cogeneration system of claim 1, further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for providing heat for potable hot water; and a condensing radiator for recovering water from the cogeneration system exhaust and releasing heat from the exhaust into at least one of the fourth fluid loop and the second fluid loop; wherein the second fluid loop is in a heat exchange relationship with the third fluid loop to recover and utilize heat extracted from the cogeneration system in a cogenerative application.
- 14. The cogeneration system of claim 13, wherein the condensing radiator has a first zone in which heat is transferred to a fluid loop providing space heating and a second zone in which heat is transferred to a supply of potable water.
- 15. The cogeneration system of claim 14 further comprising:
heat transfer coils; wherein the water condensed from the exhaust flows over the heat transfer coils and is collected for return to the cogeneration system.
- 16. The cogeneration system of claim 2 further comprising:
a furnace for providing heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating.
- 17. The cogeneration system of claim 16 further comprising:
a controller for providing sufficient heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating by selectively activating at least one of the furnace, the fuel cell stack and the fuel processor assembly.
- 18. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
means for cooling the second fluid loop; and a controller for selectively activating the means for cooling the second fluid loop when space heating is not being provided by the system.
- 19. The cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising:
a furnace for providing supplemental heat to the third fluid loop for use in at least one of space heating, potable water heating, and provision of startup heating to the cogeneration system.
- 20. The cogeneration system of claim 19, wherein the furnace is connected in parallel with the third fluid loop.
- 21. The cogeneration system of claim 19, wherein the furnace is connected in series with the third fluid loop.
- 22. A cogeneration system comprising:
a fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application to provide space heat and heat for potable water; and a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel cell exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application to provide space heat and heat for potable water.
- 23. The cogeneration system of claim 22 further comprising:
a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate; a second fluid loop circulating the fuel cell coolant for maintaining operable conditions in the fuel cell stack; and a third fluid loop for removing heat from at least one of the first and second loops for use in a cogenerative application.
- 24. The cogeneration system of claim 23 further comprising:
a fuel cell coolant circulating in the second fluid loop, wherein the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate are in heat exchange to maintain a fixed temperature difference in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 25. The cogeneration system of claim 24, wherein the fixed temperature difference is achieved before the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate enter the fuel cell stack.
- 26. The cogeneration system of claim 23 further comprising:
a fuel cell coolant circulating in the second fluid loop, wherein the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate are in heat exchange to maintain a difference within a set range of temperatures in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 27. The cogeneration system of claim 26, wherein the difference within a set range of temperatures is achieved before the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate enter the fuel cell stack.
- 28. The cogeneration system of claim 22 further comprising:
a local control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to individual dwelling usage.
- 29. The cogeneration system of claim 22 further comprising:
a wide control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to multiple dwelling usage.
- 30. The cogeneration system of claim 23 further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for the heating of potable water; wherein the third fluid loop carries a fluid for providing space heating.
- 31. The cogeneration system of claim 23, wherein heat is extracted by the third fluid loop from at least one source in addition to the exhaust.
- 32. The cogeneration system of claim 31, wherein the additional heat source is selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen-rich reformate, a reformer, power electronics, a furnace and a boiler.
- 33. The cogeneration system of claim 23 further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for providing heat for potable hot water; and a condensing radiator for recovering water from the cogeneration system exhaust and releasing heat from the exhaust into at least one of the fourth fluid loop and the second fluid loop; wherein the second fluid loop is in a heat exchange relationship with the third fluid loop to recover and utilize heat extracted from the cogeneration system in a cogenerative application.
- 34. The cogeneration system of claim 33, wherein the condensing radiator has a first zone in which heat is transferred to a fluid loop providing space heating and a second zone in which heat is transferred to a supply of potable water.
- 35. The cogeneration system of claim 34 further comprising:
heat transfer coils; wherein the water condensed from the exhaust flows over the heat transfer coils and is collected for return to the cogeneration system.
- 36. The cogeneration system of claim 23 further comprising:
a furnace for providing heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating.
- 37. The cogeneration system of claim 36 further comprising:
a controller for providing sufficient heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating by selectively activating at least one of the furnace, the fuel cell stack and the fuel processor assembly.
- 38. The cogeneration system of claim 23 further comprising:
means for cooling the second fluid loop; and a controller for selectively activating the means for cooling the second fluid loop when space heating is not being provided by the system.
- 39. The cogeneration system of claim 23 further comprising:
a furnace for providing supplemental heat to the third fluid loop for use in at least one of space heating, potable water heating, and provision of startup heating to the cogeneration system.
- 40. The cogeneration system of claim 39, wherein the furnace is connected in parallel with the third fluid loop.
- 41. The cogeneration system of claim 39, wherein the furnace is connected in series with the third fluid loop.
- 42. A cogeneration system comprising:
a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from a hydrogen-rich reformate; and a fuel cell coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack; wherein at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack are in heat exchange with at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack to maintain a fixed temperature difference in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 43. The cogeneration system of claim 42, wherein the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate are in heat exchange to maintain a fixed temperature difference in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 44. The cogeneration system of claim 43, wherein the fixed temperature difference is achieved before the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate enter the fuel cell stack.
- 45. The cogeneration system of claim 42 further comprising:
a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate; a second fluid loop circulating the fuel cell coolant for maintaining operable conditions in the fuel cell stack; and a third fluid loop for removing heat from at least one of the first and second loops for use in a cogenerative application.
- 45. The cogeneration system of claim 42 further comprising:
a fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application.
- 47. The cogeneration system of claim 42 further comprising:
a fluid loop for circulating the fuel cell coolant to maintain operable conditions in the fuel cell stack; wherein the fuel cell coolant is in a heat exchange relationship with and humidifies air entering the fuel cell stack.
- 48. The cogeneration system of claim 42 further comprising:
a local control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to individual dwelling usage.
- 49. The cogeneration system of claim 42 further comprising:
a wide control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to multiple dwelling usage.
- 50. The cogeneration system of claim 45 further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for the heating of potable water; wherein the third fluid loop carries a fluid for providing space heating.
- 51. The cogeneration system of claim 45, wherein heat is extracted by the third fluid loop from at least one source in addition to the exhaust.
- 52. The cogeneration system of claim 51, wherein the additional heat source is selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen-rich reformate, a reformer, power electronics, a furnace and a boiler.
- 53. The cogeneration system of claim 45, further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for providing heat for potable hot water; and a condensing radiator for recovering water from the cogeneration system exhaust and releasing heat from the exhaust into at least one of the fourth fluid loop and the second fluid loop; wherein the second fluid loop is in a heat exchange relationship with the third fluid loop to recover and utilize heat extracted from the cogeneration system in a cogenerative application.
- 54. The cogeneration system of claim 53, wherein the condensing radiator has a first zone in which heat is transferred to a fluid loop providing space heating and a second zone in which heat is transferred to a supply of potable water.
- 55. The cogeneration system of claim 54 further comprising:
heat transfer coils; wherein the water condensed from the exhaust flows over the heat transfer coils and is collected for return to the cogeneration system.
- 56. The cogeneration system of claim 46 further comprising:
a furnace for providing heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating.
- 57. The cogeneration system of claim 56 further comprising:
a controller for providing sufficient heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating by selectively activating at least one of the furnace, the fuel cell stack and the fuel processor assembly.
- 58. The cogeneration system of claim 45 further comprising:
means for cooling the second fluid loop; and a controller for selectively activating the means for cooling the second fluid loop when space heating is not being provided by the system.
- 59. The cogeneration system of claim 45 further comprising:
a furnace for providing supplemental heat to the third fluid loop for use in at least one of space heating, potable water heating, and provision of startup heating to the cogeneration system.
- 60. The cogeneration system of claim 59, wherein the furnace is connected in parallel with the third fluid loop.
- 61. The cogeneration system of claim 59, wherein the furnace is connected in series with the third fluid loop.
- 62. A cogeneration system comprising:
a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from a hydrogen-rich reformate; and a fuel cell coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack; wherein at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack are in heat exchange with at least one of the fuel cell coolant, the hydrogen-rich reformate and the fuel cell stack to maintain a difference within a set range of temperatures in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 63. The cogeneration system of claim 62, wherein the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate are in heat exchange to maintain a difference within a set range of temperatures in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 64. The cogeneration system of claim 63, wherein the difference within a set range of temperatures is achieved before the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate enter the fuel cell stack.
- 65. The cogeneration system of claim 62 further comprising:
a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate; a second fluid loop circulating the fuel cell coolant for maintaining operable conditions in the fuel cell stack; and a third fluid loop for removing heat from at least one of the first and second loops for use in a cogenerative application.
- 66. The cogeneration system of claim 62 further comprising:
a fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application.
- 67. The cogeneration system of claim 62 further comprising:
a fluid loop for circulating the fuel cell coolant to maintain operable conditions in the fuel cell stack; and an air blower for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell coolant is in a heat exchange relationship with and humidifies the air.
- 68. The cogeneration system of claim 62 further comprising:
a local control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to individual dwelling usage.
- 69. The cogeneration system of claim 62 further comprising:
a wide control area network for controlling the distribution of heat for use in cogenerative applications according to multiple dwelling usage.
- 70. The cogeneration system of claim 65 further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for the heating of potable water; wherein the third fluid loop carries a fluid for providing space heating.
- 71. The cogeneration system of claim 65, wherein heat is extracted by the third fluid loop from at least one source in addition to the exhaust.
- 72. The cogeneration system of claim 71, wherein the additional heat source is selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen-rich reformate, a reformer, power electronics, a furnace and a boiler.
- 73. The cogeneration system of claim 65 further comprising:
a fourth fluid loop for providing heat for potable hot water; and a condensing radiator for recovering water from the cogeneration system exhaust and releasing heat from the exhaust into at least one of the fourth fluid loop and the second fluid loop; wherein the second fluid loop is in a heat exchange relationship with the third fluid loop to recover and utilize heat extracted from the cogeneration system in a cogenerative application.
- 74. The cogeneration system of claim 73, wherein the condensing radiator has a first zone in which heat is transferred to a fluid loop providing space heating and a second zone in which heat is transferred to a supply of potable water.
- 75. The cogeneration system of claim 74 further comprising:
heat transfer coils; wherein the water condensed from the exhaust flows over the heat transfer coils and is collected for return to the cogeneration system.
- 76. The cogeneration system of claim 66 further comprising:
a furnace for providing heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating.
- 77. The cogeneration system of claim 76 further comprising:
a controller for providing sufficient heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating by selectively activating at least one of the furnace, the fuel cell stack and the fuel processor assembly.
- 78. The cogeneration system of claim 65 further comprising:
means for cooling the second fluid loop; and a controller for selectively activating the means for cooling the second fluid loop when space heating is not being provided by the system.
- 79. The cogeneration system of claim 65 further comprising:
a furnace for providing supplemental heat to the third fluid loop for use in at least one of space heating, potable water heating, and provision of startup heating to the cogeneration system.
- 80. The cogeneration system of claim 79, wherein the furnace is connected in parallel with the third fluid loop.
- 81. The cogeneration system of claim 79, wherein the furnace is connected in series with the third fluid loop.
- 82. A condensing radiator for recovering water from an exhaust of a cogeneration system comprising:
a first zone in which heat is transferred to a fluid loop providing space heating; and a second zone in which heat is transferred to a supply of potable water.
- 83. The condensing radiator of claim 82 further comprising:
heat transfer coils; wherein the water condensed from the exhaust flows over the heat transfer coils and is collected for return to the cogeneration system.
- 84. A cogeneration system comprising:
a fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application; a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate; a plurality of dissociated fluid circulation loops to reduce corrosive effects, wherein a first loop provides steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, a second loop maintains operable conditions in the fuel cell stack, and a third loop removes heat from the cogeneration system for use in a cogenerative application, the heat being previously extracted from the exhaust of at least one of either the fuel processor and the fuel cell; and a fuel cell coolant circulating in the second fluid loop, wherein the fuel cell coolant is in heat exchange with the hydrogen-rich reformate to equilibrate temperatures of the fuel cell coolant and the hydrogen-rich reformate prior to entering the fuel cell stack in order to reduce mechanical stress in the fuel cell stack.
- 85. A cogeneration system comprising:
a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate; and two dissociated and different fluid loops to reduce corrosive effects in the cogeneration system, wherein the fluid loops are selected from the group consisting of a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, a second fluid loop for maintaining operable conditions in the fuel cell stack, and a third fluid loop for removing heat from the cogeneration system for use in cogenerative applications, the heat being previously extracted from an exhaust.
- 86. A cogeneration system comprising:
a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, wherein fluid is pumped from a reservoir to each of a first heat exchanger, a fuel processor assembly, a second heat exchanger, a third fluid recovery heat exchanger, then returned to the reservoir; a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack, wherein fluid is pumped from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to each of a fourth cogeneration heat exchanger, a fifth reformate cooling heat exchanger, a fuel cell stack, a saturator, then returned to the third fluid recovery heat exchanger; a third fluid loop for providing space heating, wherein heat for cogeneration is transferred via the third fluid loop from the fourth cogeneration heat exchanger to a radiator; and a fourth fluid loop for heating potable water, wherein heat for cogeneration is transferred via the fourth fluid loop from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to potable water.
- 87. A cogeneration system comprising:
a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate, wherein fluid is pumped from a reservoir to each of a first heat exchanger, a fuel processor assembly, a second heat exchanger, a third fluid recovery heat exchanger, then returned to the reservoir; a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack, wherein fluid is pumped from a fourth cogeneration heat exchanger to each of a saturator, a fuel cell stack, then returned to the fourth cogeneration heat exchanger; a third fluid loop for providing space heating, wherein fluid is pumped from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to each of a fourth cogeneration heat exchanger, a radiator, a fifth reformate cooling heat exchanger, then returned to the third fluid recovery heat exchanger; and a fourth fluid loop for heating potable water, wherein heat for cogeneration is transferred via the fourth fluid loop from the third fluid recovery heat exchanger to potable water.
- 88. A heat exchange system for the provision of electricity and heat from a cogeneration system comprising:
a first fluid loop for providing steam to a fuel reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a reformer exhaust; a fuel cell stack for generating electricity from the hydrogen-rich reformate; a second fluid loop for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack; a third fluid loop for removing heat from at least one of the fuel reforming reaction and the fuel cell stack for use in a cogenerative application; a first heat exchanger between the hydrogen-rich reformate and at least one other system fluid; a second heat exchanger between the reformer exhaust and at least one other fluid; and a third heat exchanger between the second fluid loop and the third fluid loop; wherein the system produces heat for at least one of hot potable water and space heating.
- 89. The heat exchange system of claim 88 further comprising a radiator for cooling the second fluid loop.
- 90. The heat exchange system of claim 88 further comprising a fourth fluid loop in a heat exchange relationship with at least one of the first fluid loop and the second fluid loop for the preheating of potable hot water.
- 91. The heat exchange system of claim 90 further comprising a fourth heat exchanger between the reformer exhaust, the second fluid loop and at least one other fluid.
- 92. The heat exchange system of claim 88 further comprising a heat exchange loop in at least one of the first, second and third heat exchangers.
- 93. The heat exchange system of claim 88 wherein the cogenerative application comprises a hot water tank.
- 94. The heat exchange system of claim 88 wherein at least one of the heat exchangers is a condensing heat exchanger for removal of water from a gas.
- 95. The heat exchange system of claim 94 wherein the gas is reformate.
- 96. The heat exchange system of claim 94 wherein the gas is the reformer exhaust.
- 97. The heat exchange system of claim 94 wherein the condensing heat exchanger transfers heat from at least one of the second fluid loop and the third fluid loop to heat potable water.
- 98. The heat exchange system of claim 88 further comprising a furnace for providing supplemental heat to the third fluid loop for use in at least one of space heating, potable water heating, and provision of startup heating to the cogeneration system.
- 99. The heat exchange system of claim 98 wherein the furnace is connected in parallel with the third fluid loop.
- 100. The heat exchange system of claim 98 wherein the furnace is connected in series with the third fluid loop.
- 101. The heat exchange system of claim 88 further comprising means for using unheated external water for replenishing water in at least one of the fluid loops.
- 102. The heat exchange system of claim 88 further comprising a furnace for providing heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating.
- 103. The heat exchange system of claim 102 further comprising:
a fuel processor assembly comprising a burner for burning a fuel to supply energy for a reforming reaction to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate and a fuel processor exhaust which is used in a cogenerative application; and a controller for providing sufficient heat for at least one of space heating and potable water heating by selectively activating at least one of the furnace, the fuel cell stack and the fuel processor assembly.
- 104. The heat exchange system of claim 88 further comprising:
means for cooling the second fluid loop; and a controller for selectively activating the means for cooling the second fluid loop when space heating is not being provided by the system.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional Application No. 60/289,851 filed May 9, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60289851 |
May 2001 |
US |