Abstract: Provided is a renewable energy power generation system (10) having a renewable energy power generating apparatus (12) arranged to generate electric power; and a hydrogen power generation module (20) having a separation unit (22) adapted to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, and a fuel cell unit (28) adapted to receive air or oxygen, and hydrogen from said separation unit or from a hydrogen storage; the fuel cell unit being arranged to produce electric power in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen; wherein the hydrogen power generation module being adapted to receive electric power from the at least one renewable energy power generating apparatus at least prior to production of electric power by the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a solid oxide fuel cell at conditions that can improve or optimize the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting conventional conditions for maximizing the electrical efficiency of a fuel cell, the operating conditions can allow for output of excess synthesis gas and/or hydrogen in the anode exhaust of the fuel cell. The synthesis gas and/or hydrogen can then be used in a variety of applications, including chemical synthesis processes and collection of hydrogen for use as a fuel.

Abstract: A microelectrochemical sensor includes an energy supply unit and a sensor unit. The energy supply unit is configured to generate electrical energy using a reference fluid. The sensor unit is configured to determine a concentration difference of a chemical species between a measuring fluid and the reference fluid. The measuring fluid has an unknown concentration of the species, and the reference fluid has a known concentration of the species. The sensor unit is electrically connected to the energy supply unit and is designed to determine the concentration difference using the electrical energy from the energy supply unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system control device includes a carbon amount determination unit for determining the carbon amount in fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell stack depending on required output of the stack, a temperature detector unit for detecting temperature of a steam reformer and temperature of an evaporator, an S/C determination unit for determining a range of steam/carbon ratio based on the temperature of the steam reformer, a water supply amount determination unit for determining a range of the water supply amount to the evaporator based on the carbon amount and the steam/carbon ratio, an evaporator operating state determination unit for determining whether the temperature of the evaporator is a temperature determined based on the range of the water supply amount, and a reformer control unit for controlling the steam reformer and a partial oxidation reformer based on the result of the evaporator operating state determination unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module and a control device. The control device includes a partial oxidation reformer adjuster, a combustion starter, and a power generator. Based on at least any of the reforming state in the partial oxidation reformer, the combustion state in the exhaust gas combustor and the temperature of the fuel cell stack, the partial oxidation reformer adjuster adjusts the temperature of the partial oxidation reformer, the supply amount of raw fuel, and the supply amount of oxygen-containing gas, the combustion starter starts combustion in the exhaust gas combustor, and the power generator starts power generation in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A reactor system is integrated internally within an anode-side cavity of a fuel cell. The reactor system is configured to convert higher hydrocarbons to smaller species while mitigating the lower production of solid carbon. The reactor system may incorporate one or more of a pre-reforming section, an anode exhaust gas recirculation device, and a reforming section.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a reformer configured to cause a reforming reaction using a material and steam to generate a hydrogen-containing gas; a shift converter configured to reduce CO in the hydrogen-containing gas by a shift reaction; an evaporator provided adjacent to the shift converter so as to perform heat exchange with an upstream side of the shift converter and configured to evaporate water; and a hydro-desulfurizer provided adjacent to the shift converter so as to perform heat exchange with a downstream side of the shift converter and configured to remove a sulfur compound in the material by a hydrodesulfurization reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a first exothermally operated fuel cell stack and a second non-exothermally operated fuel cell stack, wherein anode waste gas containing water molecules from the first fuel cell stack can be supplied to the second fuel cell stack, and wherein hydrocarbons can be admixed to the anode waste gas by way of a feed line. According to the invention, it is contemplated that the anode waste gas of the first fuel cell stack can be supplied to the second fuel cell stack in an uncooled state. The invention further relates to a method for operating a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power plant, having a waste heat-generating gas turbine unit and also rooms which are to be air conditioned. Waste heat, which is discharged directly to the outside of the gas turbine unit, is used for heating the rooms which are to be air conditioned. A gas turbine for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A gas turbine including a compressor and a combustor, an SOFC including an air electrode (cathode) and a fuel electrode (anode), a first compressed air supply line adapted to supply a compressed air compressed by the compressor to the combustor, a second compressed air gas supply line adapted to supply a part of a compressed air compressed by the compressor to the air electrode (cathode), a first fuel gas supply line adapted to supply a fuel gas to the combustor, a second fuel gas supply line adapted to supply a fuel gas to the fuel electrode (anode), a fuel gas recirculation line adapted to return an exhausted fuel gas discharged from the fuel electrode (anode) to the fuel electrode (anode), a cooler provided in the fuel gas recirculation line are provided.

Abstract: A power generation system has a fuel cell, a gas turbine, an exhausted oxidant line, a fuel gas supply line, an exhausted fuel gas supply line, a supply amount adjustment unit, and a control system including an information acquisition unit, a calculation unit, and a fuel gas supply control unit. The information acquisition unit acquires an output command of the gas turbine, an atmospheric temperature, a temperature of the exhausted oxidant supplied to the gas turbine, and a temperature of the exhausted fuel gas supplied to the gas turbine. The calculation unit calculates a heat input of the exhausted oxidant, calculates a heat input of the exhausted fuel gas, and calculates by the output command and the atmospheric temperature to calculate a gas turbine heat input command.

Abstract: A metal/air battery in one embodiment includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator positioned between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the pressure within the positive electrode is maintained at or above 10 bar with compression energy provided by electrons driving electrochemical reaction in the battery during charging of the metal/air battery.

Abstract: A fuel cell purge apparatus for a fuel cell system has a separator defining a chamber for receiving a recirculated fuel stream including a fluid and impurities. The apparatus has a drain conduit with an outer passage connected to the chamber. The outer passage forms a fluid trap to collect the fluid. The drain conduit also has an inner passage nested within the outer passage through the fluid trap for delivering the impurities to a purge valve. The inner passage has a free end extending into the chamber of the separator.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis apparatus that includes an alternating current (AC) absorption unit that is connected to the fuel cell stack and switched based on an applied AC signal to enable a current from the fuel cell stack to flow. In addition, an AC signal generator is configured to generate the AC signal and supply the generated AC signal to the AC absorption unit. As the current from the fuel cell stack is absorbed by the AC absorption unit based on an alternating signal, a stack current input into a diagnosis processing unit includes an AC component, thus the diagnosis processing unit may diagnose fuel cell stack failure by analyzing a frequency of the AC component.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell, a first combustor, a first heating gas return channel and a gas supplier. The fuel cell includes a solid electrolyte cell with an anode and a cathode. The fuel cell generates power by reacting a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas. The first combustor selectively supplies a heating gas to the cathode of the fuel cell. The first heating gas return channel mixes at least some exhaust gas discharged from the cathode with the heating gas of the first combustor such that a mixed heating gas of the exhaust gas and the heating gas is supplied to the cathode. The gas supplier connected to the first heating gas return channel for supplying the exhaust gas from the cathode to mix with the heating gas of the first combustor.

Abstract: A pulsating operation method and system for a fuel cell system that smoothly discharges water remaining in a fuel electrode of a fuel cell and, simultaneously, improves fuel utilization. The method includes performing a pulsation control that controls the magnitude and period of a pulsating operating pressure for hydrogen supplied to an anode of a fuel cell to smoothly discharge the water remaining in the anode, maximize fuel utilization of the anode, and improve operational stability of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchange type prereformer comprising a shell side having a channel to which cathode exhaust gas is supplied and through which cathode exhaust gas flows so that heat can be exchanged between the cathode exhaust gas and the mixture gas supplied for preforming; a catalyst layer arranged so as to overlap one area of the shell side and formed to cause the mixture gas to have a prereforming reaction; and a tube side connected to the catalyst layer and arranged so as to overlap the other area of the shell side and formed to cause the prereformed mixture gas to exchange heat with the cathode exhaust gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant provided in a vehicle includes a power plant unit, a frame including a front part of the vehicle, and an impact cushioning member having a protective space therein and surrounding the power plant unit. The power plant unit includes a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen supply device to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell stack to generate electric power, and a high-voltage device to receive and manage the electric power generated. A gap is provided between the power plant unit and the impact cushioning member so that the power plant unit moves in a case where a collision load is applied from an outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells with processes for iron and/or steel production. The systems and methods can provide process improvements such as increased efficiency, reduction of carbon emissions per ton of product produced, or simplified capture of the carbon emissions as an integrated part of the system. The number of separate processes and the complexity of the overall production system can be reduced while providing flexibility in fuel feed stock and the various chemical, heat, and electrical outputs needed to power the processes.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device of which power generation efficiency is improved. A fuel cell device includes a fuel cell module including a housing and a fuel cell stack which is composed of a plurality of fuel cells and is inside the housing, a power conditioner configured to supply electric current generated by the fuel cell stack to an external load, and a controller configured to control the power conditioner such that, at a time of starting power generation, a voltage value of the fuel cells is greater than a voltage value for generating a maximum output in power generation of the fuel cells, and the fuel cell module, the power conditioner and the controller are accommodated in an external case. Accordingly, deterioration of the fuel cells can be suppressed, and the fuel cell device having improved reliability can be obtained.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell main body containing a fuel cell having an anode side at which fuel is reacted, exhaust products arising at the anode side of the fuel cell as a result of the reaction at the anode side. A recirculation passage is located inside the fuel cell main body and recirculates a proportion of the exhaust products directly to the anode side of the fuel cell for reaction at the anode side. The recirculation passage may include an ejector arrangement for mixing fresh fuel with the recirculated exhaust products and may also include a reforming catalyst for partially reforming the mixture in the recirculation passage.

Abstract: The present invention is to properly adjust a water content in a cell of a fuel cell in response to a wide variety of conditions. A method of controlling a water content in a cell of a fuel cell, wherein a flow rate and pressure of a hydrogen gas supplied to an anode electrode of the cell of the fuel cell are adjusted so as to satisfy a restrictive condition in order to control a water content in the cell of the fuel cell. A water content state in the cell is detected and, based on the detection result, a flow rate and pressure of the hydrogen gas are adjusted so that a water content in the cell equals a target water content.

Abstract: A sweep membrane separator includes a membrane that is selectively permeable to a selected gas, the membrane including a retentate side and a permeate side. A mixed gas stream including the selected gas enters the sweep membrane separator and contacts the retentate side of the membrane. At least part of the selected gas separates from the mixed gas stream and passes through the membrane to the permeate side of the membrane. The mixed gas stream, minus the separated gas, exits the sweep membrane separator. A sweep gas at high pressure enters the sweep membrane separator and sweeps the selected gas from the permeate side of the membrane. A mixture of the sweep gas and the selected gas exits the sweep membrane separator at high pressure. The sweep membrane separator thereby separates the selected gas from the gas mixture and pressurizes the selected gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided. A plurality of heat exchange pipes are provided in the heat exchanger around a first partition plate. At least one of the heat exchange pipes has at least one constricted portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A hydrogen production apparatus includes a burner, a combustion tube provided so as to surround flame of the burner, a reforming unit provided so as to surround the tube, an exhaust gas flow path provided so as to pass through between the tube and the unit, fold back at the other side of the unit, and extend through outside of the unit on a predetermined side, a low temperature shift unit provided on one of inside and outside of an extending portion of the flow path that extends on the predetermined side so as to extend along the extending portion, and a preferential oxidation unit provided on the other of the inside and the outside of the extending portion so as to extend along the extending portion.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus including: a first desulfurizer; a second desulfurizer; a reformer to generate a hydrogen-containing reformed gas from a raw material gas from which sulfur has been removed by at least one of the first desulfurizer and the second desulfurizer; and a recycle passage through which a part of the reformed gas generated by the reformer is mixed into the raw material gas to be supplied to the second desulfurizer. After installation or maintenance of the hydrogen generation apparatus, the raw material gas is supplied to the reformer through the first desulfurizer until a catalyst in the second desulfurizer is activated by a mixed gas of the reformed gas supplied through the recycle passage and the raw material gas, and after the catalyst in the second desulfurizer is activated, the raw material gas is supplied to the reformer through the second desulfurizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system having high-temperature fuel cells, for example SOFCs. A reformer connected upstream of the high-temperature fuel cells at the anode side, a start burner for the preheating of the cathodes of the high-temperature fuel cells, an afterburner and an operating heat exchanger are present at the system in accordance with the invention. Oxidizing agent can be supplied to the high-temperature fuel cell cathodes through the operating heat exchanger. In addition, it can be heated with the exhaust gas of the high-temperature fuel cells. Exhaust gas conducted through the operating heat exchanger can flow in an exhaust gas line together with environmental air and can then be conducted away into the environment as cooled exhaust gas.

Abstract: To determine a composition of a hydrocarbon-based gaseous fuel to be supplied to a supply target by a fuel supply device. A speed of sound in the gaseous fuel is measured using an ultrasonic flow meter (101). A carbon number of the gaseous fuel is estimated on the basis of the measured speed of sound (102). The composition (ingredients and ingredient concentration) of the gaseous fuel is estimated on the basis of the estimated carbon number (103). A supply amount of fuel in a fuel supply system is controlled on the basis of the estimated composition.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of a fuel cell module includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes connected to an oxygen-containing gas supply chamber at one end, and connected to an oxygen-containing gas discharge chamber at the other end. An end of an oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe for guiding the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas supply chamber is provided in the oxygen-containing gas supply chamber. A plurality of first inlet holes extend through the oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe in an axial direction, and a plurality of second inlet holes extend through the oxygen-containing gas inlet pipe radially. The total area of openings of the first inlet holes is smaller than the total area of openings of the second inlet holes.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided, and a first partition member provided between the first area and the second area. The first partition member has a combustion gas hole for allowing the combustion gas to flow from the first area to the second area. A baffle circular member is provided inside the first partition member, between the exhaust gas combustor and the start-up combustor.

Abstract: A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method are provided for generating hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuel, wherein hydrocarbon fuel is supplied to a fuel reformer for producing hydrogen rich gas including hydrogen, carbon monoxide and possibly unconverted fuel compounds, wherein the amount of carbon monoxide and/or the unconverted fuel compounds is reduced with the help of a molten salt reactor arranged downstream the fuel reformer. An auxiliary power unit including such an arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for producing gaseous hydrogen current or hydrogen-rich currents through hydrocarbon reforming with water vapor. Said catalyst comprises at least one support, an active phase and at least two promoting agents, and is characterized in that it is a metal-type-supported solid in which the active phase comprises at least one transition metal chosen from group VIII, and at least one promoting agent chosen from the alkaline-earth or transition metals; and the support comprises at least one mixed oxide with a basic nature, and at least one promoting agent chosen from among the lanthanides group. The invention also has as an object the process for preparing the catalyst, as well as its use in the process for obtaining the hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gas from hydrocarbons, in different operating conditions and using various types of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: To allow the supply of an appropriate amount of gaseous fuel even if the composition of the gaseous fuel varies. A composition-independent flow meter 4 capable of measuring a flow rate without depending on the composition of the gaseous fuel is disposed in series with a thermal flow meter 3 in a supply pathway of the gaseous fuel. When the measured value of the thermal flow meter 3 and the measured value of the composition-independent flow meter 4 differ by a certain degree or higher, it is determined that there is an abnormal state, and the conversion factor with respect to the measured value of the thermal flow meter 3 is set. The composition of the gaseous fuel is estimated based on the set conversion factor, and the target supply amount of the gaseous fuel is corrected and controlled based on the estimated composition.

Abstract: Two or more methods selected among a steam reforming method, a partial oxidation reforming method, and an autothermal reforming method are defined as i-th reforming method. Functions Fi=fi(P), P=fi?1(Fi), and ?i=gi(P) are obtained in advance. If there is a number i which satisfies FiR?Fimin, the following process (1) is performed when PD?P is satisfied, and the following process (2) is performed when PD>PiM is satisfied. In the process (1), if fi(PD)?FiR is satisfied, Pi*=PD and Fi*=fi(PD), and if fi(PD)>FiR is satisfied, Pi*=(the maximum fi?1(FiR) which is less than PD) and Fi*=FiR. In the process (2), if fi(PiM)?FiR is satisfied, Pi*=PiM and Fi*=fi(PiM), and if fi(PiM)>FiR is satisfied, Pi*=(the maximum fi?1(FiR)) and Fi*=FiR. If there are a plurality of numbers i which satisfy FiR?Fimin, PI*, a reforming method, and FI*, which relate to the number i which provides the maximal ?i=gi(Pi*), are adopted.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method to convert a fuel into energy and specialized fuel includes, in a reactor, dissociating a fuel to produce hot carbon and hydrogen, the hot carbon having a temperature state in a range of 700 to 1500° C., in which the dissociating includes providing heat and/or electric energy to produce the hot carbon and the hydrogen; and removing the hot carbon and the hydrogen from the reactor, the removing including depositing the hot carbon to a chamber, in which the hot carbon includes an increased chemical potential energy and is capable of storing energy from an external source. In some implementations, the method can further include supplying an oxygen- and hydrogen-containing reactant to contact the hot carbon to produce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2); and obtaining the produced CO and H2, which, after the supplying, remaining deposited carbon forms a durable carbon-based good or product.

Abstract: A combined generation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a natural gas synthesizing apparatus for receiving coal and oxygen, generating synthetic gas by a gasifier, and permitting the synthetic gas to pass through a methanation reactor so as to synthesize methane; a fuel cell apparatus for receiving fuel that contains methane from the natural gas synthesizing apparatus and generating electrical energy; and a generating apparatus for producing electrical energy using the fluid discharged from the fuel cell apparatus

Abstract: A fuel cell system which is capable of reducing deterioration of fuel cells includes a cell stack, a CPU, a voltage detection circuit, a current detection circuit, an external air temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a concentration sensor and sonars. The CPU obtains a volume of a garage, an amount of temperature change, an amount of humidity change and an amount of methanol concentration change in external air, as well as an amount of output change in the cell stack based on detection results from the voltage detection circuit, the current detection circuit, the external air temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the concentration sensor and the sonars. The CPU sets first through fifth duration times based on the volume of the garage and the various amounts of changes, selects the shortest duration time, and stops power generation in the cell stack when the selected duration time has passed.

Abstract: To stably supply a gaseous fuel by setting a calorific value as a management value even if a composition of the fuel varies. A composition-independent flow meter 4 is disposed in series with a thermal flow meter 3 in a supply pathway of the fuel. When the measured values of the both flow meters 3,4 differ by a certain degree, it is determined that there is an abnormal state, and the conversion factor with respect to the thermal flow meter 3 is set. The composition of the fuel is estimated based on the conversion factor, and the calorific value of the fuel is estimated based on the composition. The supply amount of the fuel by a supply device 2 is adjusted based on the calorific value of the fuel so that the target supply calorific value per unit time is obtained.

Abstract: A method for producing an adjustable gas composition to be used as an anode gas for a fuel cell, such as a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), is performed in a system comprising (a) a fuel processing unit (1), wherein a hydrocarbon fuel raw material is converted to reformate gas, a combustion unit (2), wherein the reformate gas from the fuel processing unit (a) is partially or completely burned with an oxygen gas source, and (c) a post-processing unit (3), wherein the equilibrium composition of the reformate gas is catalytically changed by varying the temperature of the catalytic bed in the unit or by partially combusting the feed gas to the post-processing unit in the preceding combustion unit (2).

Abstract: A system and method of producing hydrogen from a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and steam. Reaction cells are provided that each contains a first tube of hydrogen permeable material and a second tube of hydrogen impermeable material that are concentrically positioned. This creates a gap space between the first tube and the second tube. The gap space is heated by burning a combustion gas outside of the two concentric tubes. A water gas shift reaction occurs in the gap space. Hydrogen is created that permeates through the first tube and becomes separated from the remainder of the reaction gases. The hydrogen gas is collected for use. As such, the system and method acts both as a gas shift reactor and as a hydrogen separator even though it is a single unit.

Abstract: A burner reformer is provided for a power generating system using fuel cell. A burner is contained inside the reformer. The reformer absorbs heat from the burner and other heat source to reduce heat loss and save connecting wires. The present invention avoids flashing back of hydrogen. When fuel is lean, flame would not easily die and the system can thus work stably.

Abstract: Disclosed method of load-following operation of fuel-cell system comprises pre-determining functions F=f(P) and P=f?1(F), wherein P is the electric output and F is the fuel flow-rate required to output P. If reformable flow-rate FR<Fmin (the minimum flow-rate value), power generation is stopped. If FR?Fmin and if required output PD?maximum power output PM, (1) is performed; and if FR?Fmin and if PD>PM, (2) is performed. (1) If f(PD)?FR, the output is set at PD, and the fuel flow-rate is set at f(PD); and if f(PD)>FR, the output is set at the maximum value of P lower than PD and computed using P=f?1(FR), and the fuel flow-rate is set at FR. (2) If f(PM)?FR, the output is set at PM, and the fuel flow-rate is set at f(PM); and if f(PM)>FR, the output is set at the maximum value of P computed using P=f?1(FR), and fuel flow-rate is set at FR.

Abstract: The present application relates to an arrangement for supplying energy to isolated buildings. The arrangement comprises at least one energy generating installation for providing an electrical current, at least one electrolyser for producing hydrogen from water using the electrical current from the energy generating installation, at least one first chemical reactor for at least partially hydrogenating at least one substrate with an extended ?-conjugated system using the hydrogen formed in the electrolyser, at least one storage tank for storing the substrate hydrogenated at least partially in the first chemical reactor, at least one second chemical reactor for at least partially dehydrogenating the at least partially hydrogenated substrate which was produced in the first chemical reactor and stored in the storage tank with the release of hydrogen, and at least one fuel cell for the oxidation of the hydrogen release in the second chemical reactor with the release of energy.

Abstract: When terminating power generation by a fuel cell 3 in a fuel cell system 1, an amount of a raw fuel material introduced to a reforming catalyst 2a of a reformer 2 is reduced. Here, before the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a is lowered to the un-reformed gas generation temperature, an amount of water supplied to the reforming catalyst 2a is controlled to increase the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a. Thus, upon termination of power generation in the fuel cell 3, no un-reformed gas is generated and the reformed gas is supplied to the fuel cell 3.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power.

Abstract: The indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell system includes an indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell that has a first reformer which produces a reformed gas from a hydrocarbon-based fuel by using a steam reforming reaction, a solid oxide fuel cell which generates electric power by using the reformed gas obtained in the first reformer, and a container which houses the first reformer and the solid oxide fuel cell, the first reformer being disposed in a position to receive heat radiation from the solid oxide fuel cell; a second reformer which is disposed outside the container and produces a reformed gas by reforming a hydrocarbon-based fuel; and a line which leads the reformed gas obtained in the second reformer from the second reformer to an anode of the solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: Provided is a method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC, in which a hydrocarbon-based fuel is reliably reformed, and the oxidative degradation of the anode can be prevented by a reformed gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of converting a hydrocarbon into H2 and a carbon material comprising substantially no CO2, whereby the H2 is used by a fuel cell to generate electrical energy and the carbon material is collected. The method includes heating a hydrocarbon and a catalyst in a reactor to form H2 and a carbon material comprising substantially no CO2. A fuel cell is operated to generate electrical energy and heat using the H2 formed in the reactor. The step of heating is repeated using the heat generated in the fuel cell. The present invention also provides a system for converting a hydrocarbon into H2 and a carbon material comprising substantially no CO2, whereby the H2 is used by a fuel cell to generate electrical energy and the carbon material is collected.