Abstract: A biogas cleaning method for purifying a biogas waste stream to form a combustible clean biofuel uses a biogas cleaning system that includes a gas control system, a deoxidizer catalyst bed, a hydrosulfurization catalyst bed, a hydrogen sulfide adsorption bed and a thermal sensor controller. The biogas cleaning method includes using a biogas source to introduce a biogas waste stream into the biogas cleaning system, blending hydrogen with the biogas waste stream, combusting the blended hydrogen and biogas stream to remove oxygen, hydrogenating the heated biogas waste stream to convert sulfur species to hydrogen sulfide and adsorbing the hydrogen sulfide from the biogas stream. In some embodiments, a biogas cleaning system also includes a sulfur polisher adsorption bed, a chlorine removal adsorption bed, a siloxane removal adsorption bed, a heat exchanger loop and a biogas precooler.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a foam fractionation method and system that include a foam collection container having a body, a collection tube coupled to the collection container, and a foam collection conduit coupled with foam removal piping disposed within a chamber formed by the body of the collection cone. The collection container and the collection tube are coupled to allow for pressurization within the chamber. A mouth of the foam collection conduit is operable to receive foam.

Abstract: A biogas cleaning method for purifying a biogas waste stream to form a combustible clean biofuel uses a biogas cleaning system that includes a gas control system, a deoxidizer catalyst bed, a hydrosulfurization catalyst bed, a hydrogen sulfide adsorption bed and a thermal sensor controller. The biogas cleaning method includes using a biogas source to introduce a biogas waste stream into the biogas cleaning system, blending hydrogen with the biogas waste stream, combusting the blended hydrogen and biogas stream to remove oxygen, hydrogenating the heated biogas waste stream to convert sulfur species to hydrogen sulfide and adsorbing the hydrogen sulfide from the biogas stream. In some embodiments, a biogas cleaning system also includes a sulfur polisher adsorption bed, a chlorine removal adsorption bed, a siloxane removal adsorption bed, a heat exchanger loop and a biogas precooler.

Abstract: An integrated biogas cleaning system is provided to clean biogas from sources such as landfills and digesters for heat and power generation systems such as boilers, engines, turbines, or fuel cells. Siloxanes, chlorine, oxygen and sulfur are removed to parts per billion levels as well as removing the majority of water and some volatile organic compounds. The biogas system cools a biogas stream to partially remove contaminants, blends in a small concentration of hydrogen gas and then combusts the remaining oxygen to heat the biogas and leave sufficient hydrogen suitable for a downstream sequence of further contaminant conversion and removal in stages using a hydrodesulfurization bed and adsorbent media beds. Heat exchange arrangements provide efficient recycling of waste heat and compensation for varying levels of oxygen in the incoming biogas waste stream, suitable for use in a wide range of biogas generating sources.

Abstract: A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.

Abstract: A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.

Abstract: A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.

Abstract: A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.

Abstract: A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.

Abstract: An electric power generation system incorporates one or more liquid feed fuel cells, and includes a removable and replaceable fuel cartridge module for storing, delivering and receiving a vaporizable liquid fuel such as aqueous formic acid. The system also includes a fuel delivery module, a fuel cell module, an exhaust module including a vapor cell for consuming unreacted vaporous fuel and a recycle liquid fuel stream, a moisture management module, and a power management module. In operation, a recycle liquid fuel stream is directed back to the fuel delivery module, and vaporous fuel in the fuel cell anode exhaust stream is converted in the vapor cell to substantially benign reaction products. The vapor cell exhaust stream is then directed through a filter in the fuel cartridge module, where residual vaporous fuel is trapped and a benign exhaust stream is discharged from the cartridge module.

Abstract: A passive-pumping liquid feed fuel cell system includes a cartridge module, a fuel delivery module, a fuel cell module and an exhaust module. In fuel delivery mode, a bladder in the cartridge module is passively pressurized by permeable gas separated from liquid fuel to a pressure greater than fuel cell pressure, and doses are delivered to the fuel cell by controlling a single fuel valve. In fuel return mode, unused liquid fuel is separated in the exhaust module while the fuel cell is operated in a temporary high load mode, thereby generating anode gas pressure greater than bladder pressure and transferring unused fuel back to the bladder. The returned fuel maintains bladder volume and internal pressure for ongoing fuel dosing. The system provides compact and efficient micro-dose operation of low power formic acid fuel cells, and is operable with highly concentrated stored fuel and resulting high energy capacity.

Abstract: A fuel cartridge stores and delivers a vaporizable liquid fuel stream to one or more fuel cells. The cartridge includes a housing with an interior cavity, a fuel stream port with a bidirectional flow valve, a pressure relief valve for discharging a gas stream at a set pressure, a bladder located within the interior cavity and formed from a liquid-impermeable and gas-permeable liner, and a compression mechanism for imparting positive pressure to the bladder. In a fuel storage mode, the compression mechanism induces flow of vaporous fuel through the bladder liner. When the fuel cell fuel stream inlet pressure is less than the bladder pressure, the bladder discharges a liquid fuel stream in a fuel delivery mode. When the fuel cell fuel stream inlet pressure is greater than the bladder pressure, the fuel cell outlet fuel stream is returned to the bladder in a fuel return mode.

Abstract: A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.

Abstract: A self-inerting fuel processing system is provided. In one embodiment, the present fuel processing system comprises a fuel processor comprising a reformer, at least one self-reducing catalyst bed, a recycle loop for circulating a gas stream through the fuel processor and the self-reducing catalyst bed(s) during shutdown of the fuel processing system, and an oxidant supply for introducing oxidant into the recycle loop during shutdown of the fuel processing system. A method for shutting down the fuel processing system is provided. A fuel cell electric power generation system incorporating the present fuel processing system is also provided.

Abstract: A self-inerting fuel processing system is provided. In one embodiment, the present fuel processing system comprises a fuel processor comprising a reformer, at least one self-reducing catalyst bed, a recycle loop for circulating a gas stream through the fuel processor and the self-reducing catalyst bed(s) during shutdown of the fuel processing system, and an oxidant supply for introducing oxidant into the recycle loop during shutdown of the fuel processing system. A method for shutting down the fuel processing system is provided. A fuel cell electric power generation system incorporating the present fuel processing system is also provided.

Abstract: Improved fuel processing systems convert a hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate stream comprising hydrogen. Improved steam reformers and fuel processing systems employ steam reforming catalyst compositions that are oxygen-tolerant and/or sulfur-tolerant. Improved fuel processing systems employ shift reactors comprise shift catalyst compositions that are oxygen-tolerant and self-reducing. Improved fuel processing systems also comprise a preoxidizer or first-stage selective oxidizer, shift reactor, and selective oxidizer connected in series. An improved integrated reactor comprises a metal oxide bed and shift catalyst bed, and fuel processing systems comprising the improved integrated reactor.

Abstract: A fuel processing reactor is provided, comprising a shift catalyst bed disposed in a shell and tube reactor. The thermal stress on the present reactor during normal operation is reduced by cooling/heating both the shell and the tubes in the reactor. The present reactor may further comprise other beds such as hydrodesulfurizer catalyst beds, metal oxide beds, or sulfur polisher beds.