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 compact and efficient rotary pressure swing adsorption (PSA) apparatus with laminated sheet adsorbers is used to supply enriched oxygen and/or nitrogen streams to an internal combustion engine, allowing for reduced noxious emissions and enhanced engine performance.

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: 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: 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: Gas separation by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA), to obtain a purified product gas of the less strongly adsorbed fraction of the feed gas mixture, is performed with an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers. The adsorbers cooperate with first and second valve means in a rotary PSA module, with the PSA cycle characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between the higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the intermediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing laminated sheet adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor. Feed gas is compressed prior to entry to the first valve means.

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: 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: Disclosed embodiments of the apparatus address the challenges of rotary PSA systems, both axial and radial flow, with M>1 by providing interpenetrating, layered manifolds to accommodate all of the steps of a complex PSA cycle, suitable with equal compactness for any value of “M”. This approach extends readily to accommodate a plurality of rotary PSA modules and their cooperating compression machinery within a single layered manifold assembly for a single PSA plant train. Described embodiments of the rotary PSA apparatus include stators that define fluid ports. In particular embodiments of the described apparatus, a second stator defines pressure swing adsorption cycle sectors, each sector being defined by a light product delivery port, light product withdrawal ports, and light reflux return ports. The adsorber elements may directly contact one or more of the stators in a fluidly sealing manner (i.e., have a clearance gap of from about 0 to about 50 microns) using described reinforced adsorbers.

Abstract: A rotary module for implementing a high frequency pressure swing adsorption process includes a stator having a number of function compartments opening into the stator valve faces, a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator and including a number of apertures opening into the rotor valve faces, and a self-regulating clearance-type valve seal positioned between the valve faces of the stator and rotor so as to regulate the rate of gas flow between the stator and the rotor. Each valve seal includes a sealing face disposed adjacent a respective one of the rotor valve faces and is pivotable relative to the respective rotor valve face for varying the gas flow rate in accordance with the clearance distance between the sealing face and the respective rotor valve face. Each valve seal also includes a passage which communicates with one of the function compartments for varying the clearance distance in response to a pressure differential between the passage and an approaching aperture.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system for separating components of a gas mixture includes a first adsorbent module, and a second a adsorbent module coupled to the a first adsorbent module. The first adsorbent module includes a first gas inlet for receiving the gas mixture, at least one bed of first adsorbent material in communication with the first gas inlet for adsorbing a gas mixture component from the gas mixture, and a first gas outlet in communication with the first adsorbent beds for receiving a first product gas therefrom. The second adsorbent module includes a second gas inlet coupled to the first gas outlet for receiving the first product gas, at least one second bed of adsorbent material in communication with the second gas inlet for adsorbing a first product gas component from the first product gas, and a second gas outlet in communication with the second adsorbent beds for receiving a second product gas therefrom.

Abstract: Gas separation by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA), to obtain a purified product gas of the less strongly adsorbed fraction of the feed gas mixture, is performed with an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers. The adsorbers cooperate with first and second valves in a rotary PSA module, with the PSA cycle characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between the higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the immediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing laminated sheet adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor.

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: 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: 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: 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: Power plant systems and processes are described that enable recovery of at least a portion of the fuel storage energy associated with a storage system for supplying fuel to the power plant systems. A first embodiment of an energy-recovery power plant system includes at least one fuel storage container and at least one expander that can receive fuel from the fuel storage container at a first pressure and provide the fuel to the power plant at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure. A second embodiment of an energy-recovery power plant system includes a first conduit fluidly coupling the fuel storage container and the power plant for delivering fuel from the fuel storage container to the power plant and at least one regenerative thermodynamic cycle engine thermally coupled to the first conduit such that heat may be exchanged between the fuel and a working fluid for the regenerative thermodynamic cycle engine.

Abstract: A compact and efficient rotary pressure swing adsorption (PSA) apparatus with laminated sheet adsorbers is used to supply enriched oxygen and/or nitrogen streams to an internal combustion engine, allowing for reduced noxious emissions and enhanced engine performance.

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: 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.