Efficient Electrical Generation Utilizing Liquid Fuels

NU 2021-175

INVENTORS

• Scott Barnett*

SHORT DESCRIPTION

This invention provides an innovative method to generate electricity from liquid fuels by integrating a pressurized reformer with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). It converts a liquid fuel composition of hydrocarbons and water into a hydrogen-rich reformate, enabling efficient electrical generation while producing a sequestration-ready exhaust.

BACKGROUND

With the urgent need to transition to CO₂-neutral or negative technologies, reducing emissions by sequestering CO₂ has become critical. Traditional power plants combust fuels with air, diluting the CO₂ with nitrogen and complicating sequestration. SOFCs offer a high-efficiency alternative by operating with pure oxygen, but the direct use of liquid fuels risks coking while conventional atmospheric-pressure reforming is highly endothermic. This invention addresses these challenges by employing a pressurized reformer that efficiently converts liquid fuels into a suitable reformate for SOFC operation.

ABSTRACT

The disclosed technology involves injecting a liquid fuel comprising a hydrocarbon and water into a pressurized, high-temperature reformer. The reformer converts the fuel into a composition containing hydrogen and methane, which is then fed into the anode of a solid oxide fuel cell while oxygen is introduced at the cathode. The integrated system generates electricity with improved conversion efficiency, avoids coking risks, and produces a CO₂-containing exhaust that is ready for sequestration, offering a superior alternative to conventional hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies.

APPLICATIONS

• Stationary Grid Power: Supplies efficient, high-reliability power for utility and distributed energy systems.
• Heavy Duty Vehicles: Delivers high-efficiency energy conversion for trucks, trains, airplanes, and marine vehicles.
• Light-Duty Vehicles: Provides enhanced electrical generation for passenger vehicles.

ADVANTAGES

• Enhanced Efficiency: Uses a pressurized reformer to significantly boost overall electrical conversion efficiency.
• Coking Prevention: Eliminates the risk of damaging the fuel cell stack by avoiding direct liquid fuel introduction.
• Superior Performance: Achieves higher efficiency than conventional hydrogen production followed by fuel cell conversion,

IP STATUS

Filed PCT Patent WO2023154774A2 and Nationalized in the US – View Patent