Patents by Inventor Fred C. Jahnke

Fred C. Jahnke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200075981
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for removing CO2 from anode exhaust gas includes a fuel cell having an anode that outputs anode exhaust including H2, CO, CO2, and water; a shift reactor that receives a first portion of the anode exhaust and performs a water-gas shift reaction to produce an output stream primarily including H2 and CO2; an anode gas oxidizer (AGO); and an absorption system including an absorber column that absorbs the CO2 from the output stream in a solvent and outputs a resultant gas including H2 and a hydrocarbon that is at least partially recycled to the anode, and a stripper column that regenerates the solvent and outputs a CO2-rich stream. The AGO is configured to oxidize at least a portion of the CO2-rich stream and an AGO input stream that includes one of a second portion of the anode exhaust or a portion of the output stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew R. LAMBRECH
  • Publication number: 20200054993
    Abstract: An EHS system includes a EHS cell having an anode, a cathode, and a cooling plate disposed proximate at least one of the anode or the cathode, the cooling plate configured to receive water and configured to output steam or a mixture of water and steam. The system further includes a liquid-vapor separator (LVS) configured to receive the steam or the mixture of water and steam from the cooling plate and to separate water and steam. The LVS is configured to output water to the cooling plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew R. LAMBRECH
  • Patent number: 10566639
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture system includes a fuel cell assembly comprising an anode section and a cathode section; an electrochemical hydrogen separator (EHS) configured to receive an anode exhaust stream from the anode section of the fuel cell assembly, and generate a first EHS output stream comprising hydrogen, and a second EHS output stream comprising concentrated carbon dioxide; and a liquid-vapor separator (LVS) configured to receive the second EHS output stream, and separate the second EHS output stream into a first LVS output stream comprising liquid carbon dioxide, and a second LVS output stream comprising non-condensable gases in the second EHS output stream and carbon dioxide vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Fred C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 10541434
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, a water recovery system configured to recycle water from exhaust from the anode, a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between exhaust from the cathode and water from the water recovery system, and a saturator having an upper section and a lower section separated by a divider defining an opening configured to allow fuel and steam to pass from the lower section to the upper section. The lower section receives fuel from a fuel source and water from the water recovery unit and the upper section receives fuel from the lower section and water from the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech
  • Patent number: 10516180
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide removal system includes: an absorption system including a first absorption stage and a second absorption stage. The first absorption stage includes: a first compressor configured to receive and compress a first carbon dioxide-containing exhaust stream from an anode of a fuel cell, and a first direct contact absorption cooling tower configured to absorb carbon dioxide from the compressed first exhaust stream and lower a temperature of the compressed first exhaust stream using a first solvent stream containing a physical solvent, to generate a second exhaust stream. The second absorption stage includes: a second compressor configured to receive and compress the second exhaust stream from the first absorption stage, and a second direct contact absorption cooling tower configured to absorb carbon dioxide from the compressed second exhaust stream and lower a temperature of the compressed second exhaust stream using a second solvent stream containing a physical solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech
  • Publication number: 20190368830
    Abstract: A system for fast draining an airfan heat exchanger includes an airfan heat exchanger comprising a housing, a pressurized gas source fluidly coupled to the airfan heat exchanger and configured to hold a purging gas at a predetermined pressure, and a controller configured to control delivery of the purging gas to the airfan heat exchanger. The pressurized gas source is configured to provide a flow of the purging gas to the airfan heat exchanger and thereby drain water held in the airfan heat exchanger. The purging gas to the airfan will cause the airfan to drain quickly avoiding potential damage to the airfan from freezing of the water during cold weather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew LAMBRECH, Jeffrey BROWN
  • Patent number: 10483562
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell module and at least one relational water seal configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure differential in the fuel cell system in an anode under-pressurization situation in which the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by at least a first predetermined amount. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell assembly having one or more fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration, an anode inlet manifold, an anode outlet manifold having a first pressure, a cathode inlet manifold having a second pressure, and a cathode outlet manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech, Joseph M. Daly
  • Patent number: 10465305
    Abstract: A system for producing at least one of hydrogen or carbon monoxide includes at least one fuel cell, including an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte matrix. The at least one fuel cell further includes a power supply for applying a reverse voltage to the at least one fuel cell to operate the fuel cell in reverse as an electrolyzer. The anode is configured to receive a partially-reformed fuel and output a gas comprising hydrogen. The cathode is configured to output a gas comprising carbon dioxide and oxygen. The system further includes at least one oxidizer configured to receive the carbon dioxide and oxygen from the cathode and fuel from a fuel supply, the at least one oxidizer configured to output a partially-oxidized fuel comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech
  • Publication number: 20190224641
    Abstract: A system for producing liquid fuel including a hydrocarbon source, a fuel cell unit configured to output anode exhaust gas containing a predetermined amount of C02, and a reformer configured to receive a first hydrocarbon feed portion from the hydrocarbon source and the anode exhaust gas from the fuel cell unit, such that the reformer is configured to output a syngas having a first H2/CO ratio of at most 2:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew LAMBRECH
  • Publication number: 20190148753
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system for generating hydrogen and electrical power includes a power supply, a reformer-electrolyzer-purifier (REP) assembly including at least one fuel cell including an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte matrix, at least one low temperature fuel cell, and a hydrogen storage. The at least one fuel cell is configured to receive a reverse voltage supplied by the power supply and generate hydrogen-containing gas in the anode of the at least one fuel cell. The at least one low temperature fuel cell is configured to receive the hydrogen-containing gas output from the REP assembly. The at least one low temperature fuel cell is configured to selectably operate in a power generation mode in which the hydrogen-containing gas is used to generate electrical power and a power storage mode in which the hydrogen-containing gas is pressurized and stored in the hydrogen storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew LAMBRECH
  • Publication number: 20190140296
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide removal system includes: an absorption system including a first absorption stage and a second absorption stage. The first absorption stage includes: a first compressor configured to receive and compress a first carbon dioxide-containing exhaust stream from an anode of a fuel cell, and a first direct contact absorption cooling tower configured to absorb carbon dioxide from the compressed first exhaust stream and lower a temperature of the compressed first exhaust stream using a first solvent stream containing a physical solvent, to generate a second exhaust stream. The second absorption stage includes: a second compressor configured to receive and compress the second exhaust stream from the first absorption stage, and a second direct contact absorption cooling tower configured to absorb carbon dioxide from the compressed second exhaust stream and lower a temperature of the compressed second exhaust stream using a second solvent stream containing a physical solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew LAMBRECH
  • Publication number: 20190131645
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture system includes a fuel cell assembly comprising an anode section and a cathode section; an electrochemical hydrogen separator (EHS) configured to receive an anode exhaust stream from the anode section of the fuel cell assembly, and generate a first EHS output stream comprising hydrogen, and a second EHS output stream comprising concentrated carbon dioxide; and a liquid-vapor separator (LVS) configured to receive the second EHS output stream, and separate the second EHS output stream into a first LVS output stream comprising liquid carbon dioxide, and a second LVS output stream comprising non-condensable gases in the second EHS output stream and carbon dioxide vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: Fred C. JAHNKE
  • Publication number: 20190123372
    Abstract: A system for removing carbon dioxide from anode exhaust gas that has been compressed to form pressurized anode exhaust vapor includes a feed/effluent heat exchanger configured to cool the anode exhaust vapor to a first predetermined temperature and partially condense carbon dioxide in the anode exhaust vapor; a first vapor-liquid separator configured to receive an output of the feed/effluent heat exchanger and separate liquid carbon dioxide from uncondensed anode exhaust vapor; a feed/refrigerant heat exchanger configured to receive the uncondensed anode exhaust vapor from the first vapor-liquid separator, cool the uncondensed anode exhaust vapor to a second predetermined temperature, and condense carbon dioxide in the uncondensed anode exhaust vapor; a second vapor-liquid separator configured to receive an output of the feed/refrigerant heat exchanger and separate liquid carbon dioxide to form hydrogen rich, uncondensed anode exhaust vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Anthony M. LEO
  • Publication number: 20190115610
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one modular enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls that connect the top wall and the bottom wall and close off the modular enclosure on all sides; at least one fuel cell stack disposed within the at least one modular enclosure; at least one piping manifold configured to supply at least one process gas to the at least one fuel cell stack and to receive at least one exhaust process gas from the at least one fuel cell stack; and at least one process gas seal configured to seal the at least one piping manifold. The at least one process gas seal is effected via a static force from a weight of the at least one fuel cell stack or a weight of the at least one piping manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Michael L. QUATANNENS, Matthew LAMBRECH, Fred C. JAHNKE
  • Publication number: 20190062643
    Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking unit system includes a fluidized catalytic cracking unit assembly comprising a cracking unit; a reformer-electrolyzer-purifier assembly comprising a reformer-electrolyzer-purifier cell, the reformer-electrolyzer-purifier cell comprising an anode section and a cathode section; and a carbon capture assembly. The anode section of the reformer-electrolyzer-purifier assembly is configured to receive an input stream comprising hydrocarbon gases and water. The cathode section of the reformer-electrolyzer-purifier assembly is configured to produce a cathode exhaust stream comprising oxygen and carbon dioxide. The fluidized catalytic cracking unit assembly is configured to receive the cathode exhaust stream and to produce a flue gas comprising carbon dioxide, water, and less than 5 mole % oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventor: Fred C. JAHNKE
  • Publication number: 20180375121
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell module and at least one relational water seal configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure differential in the fuel cell system in an anode under-pressurization situation in which the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by at least a first predetermined amount. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell assembly having one or more fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration, an anode inlet manifold, an anode outlet manifold having a first pressure, a cathode inlet manifold having a second pressure, and a cathode outlet manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew LAMBRECH, Joseph M. DALY
  • Patent number: 10109874
    Abstract: A multi-stage shift reactor includes a vessel having an inner chamber configured to contain a first shift catalyst, the first shift catalyst configured to receive anode exhaust gas form a fuel cell and to output a first shifted gas, and an outer chamber annularly disposed about the inner chamber and configured to contain a second shift catalyst, the second shift catalyst configured to receive the first shifted gas and output a second shifted gas. The shift reactor further includes a water injection port downstream from the inner chamber and packing between the water injection port and the outer chamber, the packing configured to prevent liquid water from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech
  • Publication number: 20180261862
    Abstract: A system for producing at least one of hydrogen or carbon monoxide includes at least one fuel cell, including an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte matrix. The at least one fuel cell further includes a power supply for applying a reverse voltage to the at least one fuel cell to operate the fuel cell in reverse as an electrolyzer. The anode is configured to receive a partially-reformed fuel and output a gas comprising hydrogen. The cathode is configured to output a gas comprising carbon dioxide and oxygen. The system further includes at least one oxidizer configured to receive the carbon dioxide and oxygen from the cathode and fuel from a fuel supply, the at least one oxidizer configured to output a partially-oxidized fuel comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew LAMBRECH
  • Publication number: 20180261864
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture system for removing carbon dioxide from a flue gas produced by a combustion power plant. The system includes an electrolyzer cell configured to receive a flue gas comprising carbon dioxide and output a first exhaust stream comprising an enriched flue gas comprising carbon dioxide. The system further includes a fuel cell configured to receive the first exhaust stream and output a second exhaust stream comprising carbon dioxide. The second exhaust stream contains a higher concentration of carbon dioxide than the first exhaust stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech
  • Publication number: 20180261860
    Abstract: An energy storage system includes a power plant configured to generate an exhaust gas comprising carbon dioxide. The energy storage system further includes a first fuel cell configured to operate in reverse as an electrolyzer. The first fuel cell is configured to receive at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the power plant. An anode is configured to receive carbon dioxide via the exhaust gas and methane from a separate feed, and the anode is configured to output a hydrogen-containing gas mixture. The energy storage system further includes a reformer configured to methanate the hydrogen-containing gas mixture to convert substantially all of the carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas mixture to methane. The energy storage system further includes a second fuel cell operating in reverse as a hydrogen pump, the second fuel cell configured to separate hydrogen from a gas mixture output by the reformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech