Abstract: The present disclosure relates to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) exploiting gas separation devices in which a first gas mixture including components A (for example hydrogen) and B (for example carbon dioxide) is to be separated so that a first product of the separation is enriched in component A, while component B is mixed with a third gas component C (for example air, oxygen-enriched air or oxygen-depleted air) contained in a displacement purge stream to form a second gas mixture including components B and C, and with provision to prevent cross contamination of component C into the first product containing component A, or of component A into the second gas mixture containing component C. The invention may be applied to hydrogen (component A) enrichment from fuel cell anode exhaust, where dilute carbon dioxide (component B) is to be rejected such as to the atmosphere by purging with cathode exhaust oxygen-depleted air (as component C).

Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.

Abstract: Enhanced high temperature fuel cell systems, such as solid oxide fuel cell systems and molten carbonate fuel cell systems are disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure include solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cell systems incorporating gas separation apparati facilitating the recycle of hydrogen fuel from fuel cell anode exhaust for supply to the fuel cell anode inlet. Further embodiments of the disclosure include solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cell systems incorporating inventive combinations of anode materials conducive to combination with enriched hydrogen fuel. Other embodiments of the disclosure include gas separation apparati for providing enriched oxygen feed to the cathode inlet of solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cells.

Abstract: A method and system for adsorptive separation of a feed gas mixture provides for increased system efficiency and product recovery. The requirement for purge gas streams consuming desired product gas to regenerate adsorption beds is reduced through an inventive method for adsorbent selection and adsorption bed and process design.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high temperature fuel cell power generation system that includes a high temperature fuel cell having an anode inlet and exhaust, and a cathode inlet and exhaust. The system also includes a gas separation means operable to recover hydrogen gas from the anode exhaust and to provide at least a portion of such hydrogen gas for recycle to the anode inlet. The system further includes energy recovery means operable to recover energy from the fuel cell exhaust gases and to provide at least a portion of such recovered energy to drive mechanical loads associated with the operation of the gas separation means, wherein a portion of the recovered hydrogen gas is provided for export from the generation system as hydrogen fuel.

Abstract: An electrical current generating system is disclosed that includes a fuel cell operating at a temperature of at least about 250° C. (for example, a molten carbonate fuel cell or a solid oxide fuel cell), a hydrogen gas separation system or oxygen gas delivery system that includes a compressor or pump, and a drive system for the compressor or pump that includes means for recovering energy from at least one of the hydrogen gas separation system, oxygen gas delivery system, or heat of the fuel cell. The drive system could be a gas turbine system. The hydrogen gas separation system or the oxygen gas delivery system may include a pressure swing adsorption module.

Abstract: A process and system for providing a hydrogen-containing gas stream to a fuel cell anode that includes providing a hydrogen-containing gas stream that includes carbon monoxide, introducing the hydrogen-containing gas stream into a pressure swing adsorption module that includes at least one carbon monoxide-selective adsorbent to produce a purified hydrogen-containing gas stream, and introducing the purified hydrogen-containing gas stream to the fuel cell anode. The pressure swing adsorption module can also include a second adsorbent and/or catalyst. Also disclosed is a fuel cell system coupled to an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell system that utilizes fuel cell waste heat for vaporizing a hydrocarbon/water mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments address contaminant management challenges that arise during production of desirably contaminant free product fluid in the operation of PSA equipment, and further address the more serious challenges that arise under intermittent operation of PSA equipment. One disclosed embodiment of a PSA apparatus, intended primarily for normal operating cycle speeds of at least 3 cycles per minute, includes a breather fluidly coupled to a feed end of an adsorber with a contaminant-sensitive adsorbent. The breather can be coupled to the feed end through a shutoff valve closed during production and open during shutdown. Other disclosed embodiments of the PSA apparatus used particular sealing strategies for additional sealing of the apparatus, or at least components thereof, from contaminant ingress.

Abstract: An electrical generating system consists of a fuel cell, and an oxygen gas delivery. The fuel cell includes and anode channel having an anode gas inlet for receiving a supply of hydrogen gas, a cathode channel having a cathode gas inlet and a cathode gas outlet, and an electrolyte in communication with the anode and cathode channel for facilitating ion exchange between the anode and cathode channel. The oxygen gas delivery system is coupled to the cathode gas inlet and delivers oxygen gas to the cathode channel. The electrical current generating system also includes gas recirculation means couple to the cathode gas outlet for recirculating a portion of cathode exhaust gas exhausted from the cathode gas outlet to the cathode gas inlet.

Abstract: A gas separation system for separating a feed gas mixture into a first gas component and a second gas component comprises a stator, and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a first stator valve face, a second stator valve surface, and a plurality of function compartments opening into the stator valve surfaces. The rotor includes a first rotor valve surface in communication with the first stator valve surface, and a second rotor valve surface in communication with the second stator valve surface. The rotor also includes a plurality of rotor flow paths for receiving gas adsorbent material therein for preferentially adsorbing the first gas component in response to increasing pressure in the rotor flow paths in comparison to the second gas component. Each rotor flow path includes a pair of opposite ends opening into the rotor valve faces for communication with the function compartments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for adsorptive gas separations where a first gas mixture including components A and B is to be separated so that a first product of the separation is enriched in component A, while component B is mixed with a third gas component C contained in a displacement purge stream to form a second gas mixture including components B and C, and with provision to prevent cross contamination of component C into the first product containing component A, or of component A into the second gas mixture containing component C. The invention may be applied to hydrogen (component A) enrichment from syngas mixtures, where dilute carbon dioxide (component B) is to be rejected such as directly to the atmosphere, and with preferably nitrogen-enriched air as the displacement purge stream containing residual oxygen (component C).

Abstract: Various systems, method and apparatuses are disclosed that include a pressure swing adsorption apparatus coupled to a fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell receives at least a portion of a product gas from the pressure swing adsorption and powers the pressure swing adsorption apparatus. Also disclosed is a portable gas separator that include a housing that houses a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus.

Abstract: A gas separation system includes a stator, and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator, and at least one surge absorber in communication with the stator. The stator includes a stator valve surface and a plurality of function compartments opening into the stator valve surface. The rotor includes a rotor valve surface in communication with the stator valve surface, and a plurality of flow paths for receiving adsorbent material therein. The rotor also includes a plurality of apertures provided in the rotor valve surface and in communication with the flow paths for cyclically exposing the flow paths to the function compartments. The surge absorbers are configured to reduce pressure variations in the function compartments and to maintain each function compartment at one of a plurality of discrete pressure levels. In this manner, substantially uniform gas flow can be maintained through the function compartments and the flow paths without recourse to multistage compression machinery.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments address contaminant management challenges that arise during production of desirably contaminant free product fluid in the operation of PSA equipment, and further address the more serious challenges that arise under intermittent operation of PSA equipment. One disclosed embodiment of a PSA apparatus, intended primarily for normal operating cycle speeds of at least 3 cycles per minute, includes a breather fluidly coupled to a feed end of an adsorber with a contaminant-sensitive adsorbent. The breather can be coupled to the feed end through a shutoff valve closed during production and open during shutdown. Other disclosed embodiments of the PSA apparatus used particular sealing strategies for additional sealing of the apparatus, or at least components thereof, from contaminant ingress.

Abstract: A parallel passage contactor structure which advantageously does not require a spacing member is provided according to the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention a parallel passage contactor is provided comprising multiple layers of sheet material wherein the sheet material is perforated with a regular pattern of openings. The perforated openings in the sheet material comprising the layers of the contactor structure are arranged such that when multiple similarly perforated layers of material are suitably layered in contact with each other the perforated openings in adjacent layers form substantially continuous parallel passages suitable for the conduction of fluids.

Abstract: High temperature fuel cell electrical generation systems are provided that are adapted to enable selective generation of electrical power, and/or hydrogen fuel, and/or useable heat, allowing flexible operation of the generation system. In such embodiments, the high temperature fuel cell may be either a MCFC or a SOFC. The disclosed systems relate to high temperature fuel cells exploiting gas separation devices in which a first gas mixture is to be separated so that a first product of the separation is enriched in a first component, while a second component is mixed with a displacement purge stream to form a second gas mixture, with provision to prevent cross contamination of purge gas components into the first product stream.

Abstract: Enhanced high temperature fuel cell systems, such as solid oxide fuel cell systems and molten carbonate fuel cell systems are disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure include solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cell systems incorporating gas separation apparati facilitating the recycle of hydrogen fuel from fuel cell anode exhaust for supply to the fuel cell anode inlet. Further embodiments of the disclosure include solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cell systems incorporating inventive combinations of anode materials conducive to combination with enriched hydrogen fuel. Other embodiments of the disclosure include gas separation apparati for providing enriched oxygen feed to the cathode inlet of solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cells.

Abstract: Methods for forming adsorbent laminate structures particularly for use in pressure swing adsorption processes and devices are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises providing a metal or alloy support and depositing adsorbent material onto the support by electrophoretic deposition. Adsorbent material also may be deposited on plural strips, which are then assembled into a laminate structure along the support. Adsorbers also are described comprising first and second wire mesh sheets having adsorbent material deposited on a first major planar surface thereof. The first and second sheets are placed adjacent one another and spaced sufficiently to define a flow channel. Another disclosed embodiment comprises plural wire mesh sheets having adsorbent material deposited on both first and second major opposed planar surfaces thereof, the sheets being spaced from each other to define a gas flow channel. The adsorber may include ventilation gaps to provide ventilation between flow channels.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) separation of a gas mixture is performed in an apparatus with a plurality of adsorbent beds. The invention provides rotary multiport distributor valves to control the timing sequence of the PSA cycle steps between the beds, with flow controls cooperating with the rotary distributor valves to control the volume rates of gas flows to and from the adsorbent beds in blowdown, purge, equalization and repressurization steps.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) separation of a gas mixture is performed in an apparatus with a plurality of adsorbent beds. The invention provides rotary multiport distributor valves to control the timing sequence of the PSA cycle steps between the beds, with flow controls cooperating with the rotary distributor valves to control the volume rates of gas flows to and from the adsorbent beds in blowdown, purge, equalization and repressurization steps.