Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a hotbox configured to house a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack including a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature inside the fuel cell stack. The system includes a first tank including a first valve and configured to store methanol. The system includes a second tank including a second valve and configured to store water. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to receive signals from the temperature sensor and control each of the first valve and the second valve. The controller is configured to set a dosing rate of methanol, based on a temperature of the fuel cells stack, to a predefined dosing rate and initiate operating at least one of the first valve and the second valve to deliver a mixture of methanol and water at the predefined dosing rate to prevent re-oxidation of an anode of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system and method for identifying and compensating for variations identified in a fuel composition of a fuel cell power system, comprising the fuel cell system components selected from the group consisting of a catalytic oxidizer, a reformer, an exhaust, a fuel cell stack or system, or a combination thereof; and a control device configured to control the fuel cell system components, wherein the control device comprises a computer algorithm to indirectly correlate measurements of the fuel cell system components to a difference in the fuel composition.

Abstract: A component includes an outer wall that includes an exterior surface, and at least one plenum defined interiorly to the outer wall and configured to receive a cooling fluid therein. The component also includes a coating system disposed on the exterior surface. The coating system has a thickness. The component further includes a plurality of adaptive cooling openings defined in the outer wall. Each of the adaptive cooling openings extends from a first end inflow communication with the at least one plenum, outward through the exterior surface and to a second end covered underneath at least a portion of the thickness of the coating system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, which includes an anode recirculation loop having a fuel cell stack for generating power, a flowmeter, a current sensor and a processor. The flowmeter is configured for measuring a fuel flow rate provided into the anode recirculation loop. The current sensor is configured for measuring a current drawn from the fuel cell stack. The processor is configured for determining a steam to carbon ratio in the anode recirculation loop based on the measured fuel flow rate and the measured current. The fuel cell system further includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in the anode recirculation loop. The process is configured for determining the steam to carbon ration further based on the measured temperature. A method for operating the fuel cell system and a fuel cell power plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: A formed substrate assembly includes an air flow form plate, a fuel flow form plate, and an anode. The fuel flow form plate is positioned over the air flow form plate. The fuel flow form plate partially defines a plurality of first channels. The fuel flow form plate also defines a plurality of second channels. The plurality of second channels defines a plurality of apertures, where a portion of the apertures extend from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels. The anode is positioned over the fuel flow form plate. The anode partially defines the plurality of first channels such that the fuel flow form plate and the anode define the plurality of first channels. The portion of the plurality of apertures is configured to channel a flow of fuel from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a control method thereof are disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having an anode and a cathode, an anode recirculation loop including the anode, a fuel supply device for providing a fuel gas via a fuel feed path, an air supply device for providing air to the cathode, an anode blower and a switching element. The loop has a first path and a second path, and the anode is arranged in the second path. During normal operation of the system, the fuel feed path and the first path are combined to form the second path, and the second path is split into the first path and a fuel exhaust path. The anode blower is configured for driving circulation through the loop. The switching element is located in at least one of the first path and the combining point and is configured to force the fuel gas to flow through the second path to the fuel exhaust path in the event of failure of the anode blower.

Abstract: A formed substrate assembly includes an air flow form plate, a fuel flow form plate, and an anode. The fuel flow form plate is positioned over the air flow form plate. The fuel flow form plate partially defines a plurality of first channels. The fuel flow form plate also defines a plurality of second channels. The plurality of second channels defines a plurality of apertures, where a portion of the apertures extend from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels. The anode is positioned over the fuel flow form plate. The anode partially defines the plurality of first channels such that the fuel flow form plate and the anode define the plurality of first channels. The portion of the plurality of apertures is configured to channel a flow of fuel from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis unit for processing a feed solution is provided. The unit includes a pressure vessel includes an inlet end, an outlet end, and a vessel body extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The reverse osmosis unit further includes a plurality of first membrane modules positioned within the pressure vessel. Each first membrane module of the plurality of first membrane modules has a first salt permeance value. At least one second membrane module is positioned within the pressure vessel and coupled in flow communication to the plurality of first membrane modules. The at least one second membrane module has a second salt permeance value that is different from the first salt permeance value.

Abstract: Power generation systems and associated methods for generating electric power using a cascaded fuel cell are provided. The power generation system may include a first fuel cell, a second fuel cell, a splitting mechanism, a first fuel path, and a second fuel path. The First fuel cell is configured to generate first anode and first cathode tail gas streams. The splitting mechanism is configured to split the first anode tail gas stream into first and second portions. The first fuel path is configured to receive hydrocarbon fuel stream downstream of splitting mechanism, mix with the first portion to form a mixed stream, and circulate the mixed stream to the first fuel cell. The second fuel path is configured to feed the second portion to the second fuel cell. The first and second fuel cells are configured to generate electric power by using the mixed stream and the second portion respectively.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis unit for processing a feed solution is provided. The unit includes a pressure vessel includes an inlet end, an outlet end, and a vessel body extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The reverse osmosis unit further includes a plurality of first membrane modules positioned within the pressure vessel. Each first membrane module of the plurality of first membrane modules has a first salt permeance value. At least one second membrane module is positioned within the pressure vessel and coupled in flow communication to the plurality of first membrane modules. The at least one second membrane module has a second salt permeance value that is different from the first salt permeance value.

Abstract: A component includes an outer wall that includes an exterior surface, and at least one plenum defined interiorly to the outer wall and configured to receive a cooling fluid therein. The component also includes a coating system disposed on the exterior surface. The coating system has a thickness. The component further includes a plurality of adaptive cooling openings defined in the outer wall. Each of the adaptive cooling openings extends from a first end inflow communication with the at least one plenum, outward through the exterior surface and to a second end covered underneath at least a portion of the thickness of the coating system.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell and engine combustor assembly includes an engine combustor having a combustion chamber fluidly coupled with a compressor and a turbine. The assembly also includes a fuel cell stack circumferentially extending around the combustion chamber of the combustor. The fuel cell stack includes fuel cells configured to generate electric current. The fuel cell stack is positioned to receive discharged air from the compressor and fuel from a fuel manifold. The fuel cells in the fuel cell stack generate electric current using the discharged air and at least some of the fuel. The fuel cell stack is positioned to radially direct partially oxidized fuel from the fuel cells into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The combustor combusts the partially oxidized fuel into one or more gaseous combustion products that are directed into and drive the downstream turbine.

Abstract: A system includes a first plurality of fuel cell stacks configured to generate a first portion of an electric potential and a second plurality of fuel cell stacks configured to generate a second portion of the electric potential. The system includes a positive electrical bus bar conductively coupled with the first plurality of fuel cell stacks and configured to power an electrical load using the generated electric potential. The system includes a negative electrical bus bar conductively coupled with the second plurality of fuel cell stacks and configured to electrical load using the generated electric potential. The positive electrical bus bar is elongated and extends between the first plurality of fuel cell stacks and the negative electrical bus bar is elongated and extends between the second plurality of fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a control method thereof are disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having an anode and a cathode, an anode recirculation loop including the anode, a fuel supply device for providing a fuel gas via a fuel feed path, an air supply device for providing air to the cathode, an anode blower and a switching element. The loop has a first path and a second path, and the anode is arranged in the second path. During normal operation of the system, the fuel feed path and the first path are combined to form the second path, and the second path is split into the first path and a fuel exhaust path. The anode blower is configured for driving circulation through the loop. The switching element is located in at least one of the first path and the combining point and is configured to force the fuel gas to flow through the second path to the fuel exhaust path in the event of failure of the anode blower.

Abstract: The present application provides combined cycle fuel cell systems that include a fuel cell, such as a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC), comprising an anode that generates a tail gas and a cathode that generates cathode exhaust. The system or plant may include adding fuel, such as processed or refined tail gas, to the inlet air stream of a reformer to heat the reformer. The system or plant may include removing water from the tail gas and recycling the removed water into an inlet fuel stream. The inlet air stream may be the cathode exhaust stream of the fuel cell, and the inlet fuel stream may be input hydrocarbon fuel that is directed to the reformer to produce hydrogen-rich reformate. The system or plant may direct some of the processed or refined tail gas to a bottoming cycle.

Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system including a fuel-cell is presented. The method includes detecting a water deficient condition of the fuel-cell. The method further includes operating, in response to detecting the water deficient condition of the fuel-cell, at least one auxiliary load of the power generation system via use of an electrical current generated by the fuel-cell to maintain a steam-carbon ratio in the fuel-cell above a threshold steam-carbon ratio value. A control sub-system for operating the power generation system is also presented. Moreover, a power generation system including the fuel-cell, the least one auxiliary load, and the control sub-system is presented.

Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system including a fuel-cell is presented. The method includes detecting a water deficient condition of the fuel-cell. The method further includes operating, in response to detecting the water deficient condition of the fuel-cell, at least one auxiliary load of the power generation system via use of an electrical current generated by the fuel-cell to maintain a steam-carbon ratio in the fuel-cell above a threshold steam-carbon ratio value. A control sub-system for operating the power generation system is also presented. Moreover, a power generation system including the fuel-cell, the least one auxiliary load, and the control sub-system is presented.

Abstract: The present application provides combined cycle fuel cell systems that include a fuel cell, such as a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC), comprising an anode that generates a tail gas and a cathode that generates cathode exhaust. The system or plant may include adding fuel, such as processed or refined tail gas, to the inlet air stream of a reformer to heat the reformer. The system or plant may include removing water from the tail gas and recycling the removed water into an inlet fuel stream. The inlet air stream may be the cathode exhaust stream of the fuel cell, and the inlet fuel stream may be input hydrocarbon fuel that is directed to the reformer to produce hydrogen-rich reformate. The system or plant may direct some of the processed or refined tail gas to a bottoming cycle.

Abstract: A formed substrate assembly includes an air flow form plate, a fuel flow form plate, and an anode. The fuel flow form plate is positioned over the air flow form plate. The fuel flow form plate partially defines a plurality of first channels. The fuel flow form plate also defines a plurality of second channels. The plurality of second channels defines a plurality of apertures, where a portion of the apertures extend from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels. The anode is positioned over the fuel flow form plate. The anode partially defines the plurality of first channels such that the fuel flow form plate and the anode define the plurality of first channels. The portion of the plurality of apertures is configured to channel a flow of fuel from the plurality of second channels to the plurality of first channels.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate ratio includes a fuel cell comprising an anode for generating a tail gas and having an inlet and an outlet; a fuel reformer for mixing a fuel with the tail gas from the outlet of the anode to generate a reformed stream which is split into first and second branch streams at a splitting position, the first branch stream returned to the inlet of the anode; a cooler for removing heat from the second branch stream; a bottoming cycle including an external or internal combustion engine driven in response to the cooled second branch stream; a measuring device for measuring differential pressures of two of the main stream, the first branch stream and the second branch stream; and a controlling device for controlling a flow rate ratio of the first branch stream to the main stream in response to the measured differential pressures.