Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel source configured to provide a fuel input stream, a first carbon dioxide removal system configured to receive the fuel input stream and remove carbon dioxide from the fuel input stream, a fuel cell stack including an anode section having an anode inlet configured to receive an anode input stream, and an anode outlet configured to output an anode exhaust stream, and a cathode section having a cathode inlet configured to receive a cathode input stream, and a cathode outlet configured to output a cathode exhaust stream, an anode exhaust gas recycle system including a second carbon dioxide removal system configured to receive and remove carbon dioxide from the anode exhaust stream, and a combining junction configured to receive the fuel input stream, and the anode exhaust stream, and to output a mixed stream to the anode inlet as the anode input stream.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel source configured to provide a fuel input stream, a first carbon dioxide removal system configured to receive the fuel input stream and remove carbon dioxide from the fuel input stream, a fuel cell stack including an anode section having an anode inlet configured to receive an anode input stream, and an anode outlet configured to output an anode exhaust stream, and a cathode section having a cathode inlet configured to receive a cathode input stream, and a cathode outlet configured to output a cathode exhaust stream, an anode exhaust gas recycle system including a second carbon dioxide removal system configured to receive and remove carbon dioxide from the anode exhaust stream, and a combining junction configured to receive the fuel input stream, and the anode exhaust stream, and to output a mixed stream to the anode inlet as the anode input stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for steam purging a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Purging the SOFC stack with steam has a physical flushing effect, removing carbon monoxide containing reformate and free oxygen gas from the anode area thereby reducing the potential for nickel oxide or nickel carbonyl formation.

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: The present invention relates to an apparatus for steam purging a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Purging the SOFC stack with steam has a physical flushing effect, removing carbon monoxide containing reformate and free oxygen gas from the anode area thereby reducing the potential for nickel oxide or nickel carbonyl formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for steam purging a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Purging the SOFC stack with steam has a physical flushing effect, removing carbon monoxide containing reformate and free oxygen gas from the anode area thereby reducing the potential for nickel oxide or nickel carbonyl formation.

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. Air is split into two parallel streams and preheated in a low temperature heat exchanger. One air stream passes to a high temperature heat exchanger while the other passes to a radiative heat exchanger. The air and fuel streams are equalized in an equalization heat exchanger before entering the fuel cell stacks. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature heat exchanger, the low temperature heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer, the radiative heat exchanger and the equalization heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner, the primary reformer and the high temperature heat exchanger.

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. Air is split into two parallel streams and preheated in a low temperature heat exchanger. One air stream passes to a high temperature heat exchanger while the other passes to a radiative heat exchanger. The air and fuel streams are equalized in an equalization heat exchanger before entering the fuel cell stacks. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature heat exchanger, the low temperature heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer, the radiative heat exchanger and the equalization heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner, the primary reformer and the high temperature heat exchanger.

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. Air is split into two parallel streams and preheated in a low temperature heat exchanger. One air stream passes to a high temperature heat exchanger while the other passes to a radiative heat exchanger. The air and fuel streams are equalized in an equalization heat exchanger before entering the fuel cell stacks. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature heat exchanger, the low temperature heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer, the radiative heat exchanger and the equalization heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner, the primary reformer and the high temperature heat exchanger.

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: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for steam purging a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Purging the SOFC stack with steam has a physical flushing effect, removing carbon monoxide containing reformate and free oxygen gas from the anode area thereby reducing the potential for nickel oxide or nickel carbonyl formation.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack incorporates metallic interconnects each of which includes a fuel intake manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant intake manifold and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel side of the interconnect defines a fuel flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the fuel intake and exhaust manifold. The oxidant side of the interconnect defines an oxidant flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the oxidant intake and exhaust manifolds. The interconnect may be fabricated by brazing together three stainless steel plates having overlapping openings to permit the exclusionary flow of fuel and oxidant through the interconnect.

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. Air is split into two parallel streams and preheated in a low temperature heat exchanger. One air stream passes to a high temperature heat exchanger while the other passes to a radiative heat exchanger. The air and fuel streams are equalized in an equalization heat exchanger before entering the fuel cell stacks. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature heat exchanger, the low temperature heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer, the radiative heat exchanger and the equalization heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner, the primary reformer and the high temperature heat exchanger.

Abstract: An integrated module includes an afterburner, heat exchanger and fuel processor. The module is thermally integrated solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack incorporates metallic interconnects each of which includes a fuel intake manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant intake manifold and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel side of the interconnect defines a fuel flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the fuel intake and exhaust manifold. The oxidant side of the interconnect defines an oxidant flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the oxidant intake and exhaust manifolds. The interconnect may be fabricated by brazing together three stainless steel plates having overlapping openings to permit the exclusionary flow of fuel and oxidant through the interconnect.

Abstract: An integrated module includes an afterburner, heat exchanger and fuel processor. The module is thermally integrated solid oxide fuel cell.