TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to systems for power generation, and more particularly relates to power generation using a hybrid fuel cell.

BACKGROUND

Generally, fuel cell systems employ a hydrogen-rich gas for power generation. Certain fuels, while rich in hydrogen, may also have heavy hydrocarbon compounds, such as diesel, jet fuel, etc. Fuels with heavy hydrocarbon compounds may require reforming to generate the hydrogen-rich gas for use by the fuel cell system. Certain methods for reforming can involve the use of a steam reformer, which can require an external heat transfer device to provide heat to the steam reformer. The use of an external heat transfer device, however, may add undesirable weight to the fuel cell system.

In addition, certain hybrid fuel cell systems require operation at a high pressure. In order to operate these hybrid fuel cell systems at a high pressure, a fuel cell stack associated with the fuel cell system requires a reinforced structure to maintain the high operating pressure. The use of the reinforced structure also adds undesirable weight to the fuel cell system.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved systems for hybrid fuel cell power generation, which reduces system weight while maintaining efficient power generation. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, a hybrid fuel cell system is provided. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system includes a fuel source, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The fuel source is in fluid communication with the reforming subsystem. The reforming subsystem reforms the fuel from the fuel source to generate hydrogen enriched gases, and the reforming subsystem is in fluid communication with the depressurization system. The depressurization system reduces a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack in communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure.

A hybrid fuel cell system is provided, according to various embodiments. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system includes a fuel source, a start-up subsystem, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The fuel source is in fluid communication with the start-up subsystem and the reforming subsystem. The start-up subsystem includes a steam generator that combusts the fuel from the fuel source and a source of water. The steam generator combusts the fuel to heat the water and generate steam. The reforming subsystem reforms the fuel from the fuel source with the steam to generate a hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The depressurization system receives hydrogen enriched gases and reduces a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack downstream from and in communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure. The fuel cell stack is upstream from the steam generator.

Also provided according to various embodiments is a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a source of a gas and a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system includes a fuel source, a start-up subsystem, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The fuel source is in fluid communication with the start-up subsystem and the reforming subsystem. The start-up subsystem includes a steam generator that combusts the fuel from the fuel source and a source of water. The steam generator combusts the fuel to heat the water and generate steam. The reforming subsystem reforms the fuel from the fuel source with the steam to generate a hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The depressurization system receives hydrogen enriched gases and reduces a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack downstream from and in communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure. The fuel cell stack is in communication with the gas supply system to receive the gas. The steam generator is downstream from the fuel cell stack to combust one or more exhaust gases from the fuel cell stack. The hybrid fuel cell system also includes a heat exchanger downstream from the steam generator and upstream from the fuel cell stack that receives an exhaust gas from the burner and heats the gas from the source of the gas before the gas flows into the fuel cell stack.

Further provided is a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system including a fuel tank including a combustible fuel, a start-up subsystem, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The start-up subsystem includes a steam generator downstream from the fuel tank that is configured to receive the fuel from the fuel tank and to generate steam to raise an operating temperature of the reforming subsystem. The reforming subsystem is configured to receive the fuel from the fuel tank and to reform the fuel from the fuel tank to generate a hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a water supply system having a source of water that provides water for the steam generator. The water supply system includes a water condenser directly downstream from the reforming subsystem that is in fluid communication with the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The water condenser is configured to condense the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture into water and hydrogen enriched gases, and the water condensed by the water condenser is communicated back to the source of water. The depressurization system is downstream from the water condenser and in fluid communication with the water condenser to receive the hydrogen enriched gases. The depressurization system is configured to reduce a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack downstream from the depressurization system and having an anode inlet in fluid communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure.

Also provided is a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system including a fuel tank including a combustible fuel, a start-up subsystem, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The start-up subsystem includes a steam generator downstream from the fuel tank that is configured to receive the fuel from the fuel tank and to generate steam to raise an operating temperature of the reforming subsystem. Based on an operating temperature of the reforming subsystem, the reforming subsystem is configured to receive the fuel from the fuel tank and to reform the fuel from the fuel tank to generate a hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a water supply system having a source of water that provides water for the steam generator. The water supply system includes a water condenser directly downstream from the reforming subsystem that is in fluid communication with the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The water condenser is configured to condense the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture into water and hydrogen enriched gases and the water condensed by the water condenser is communicated back to the source of water. The depressurization system is downstream from the water condenser and in fluid communication with the water condenser to receive the hydrogen enriched gases. The depressurization system is configured to reduce a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack downstream from the depressurization system and having an anode inlet in fluid communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure.

Further provided is a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a source of a gas, and a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system includes a fuel source, a start-up subsystem, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The fuel source is in fluid communication with the start-up subsystem and the reforming subsystem. The start-up subsystem incldues a steam generator downstream from the fuel tank that is configured to receive the fuel from the fuel tank and to generate steam to raise an operating temperature of the reforming subsystem. Based on an operating temperature of the reforming subsystem, the reforming subsystem is configured to receive the fuel from the fuel tank and to reform the fuel from the fuel tank to generate a hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The depressurization system receives hydrogen enriched gases and is configured to reduce a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a water supply system having a source of water that provides water for the steam generator. The water supply system includes a water condenser directly downstream from the reforming subsystem that is in fluid communication with the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The water condenser is configured to condense the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture into water and hydrogen enriched gases, and the water condensed by the water condenser is communicated back to the source of water. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack downstream from the depressurization system and having an anode inlet in fluid communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure. The fuel cell stack is in communication with the gas supply system to receive the gas, and the steam generator is downstream from the fuel cell stack to combust one or more exhaust gases from the fuel cell stack.

