Patent ID: 6042956
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: F24H,H01M,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for the simultaneous generation of electrical energy and heat for heating purposes from a combustion gas comprised of one or more hydrocarbons as well as a gas mixture containing oxygen, by means of at least one gas burner and at least one stack of fuel cells, with an oxygen surplus having a stoichiometric ratio greater than approximately 3 with respect to the hydrocarbons being provided in the stack of fuel cells the method comprising,converting less than half of the combustion gas in the stack for the generation of electricity while producing a first exhaust gas; burning the remaining part of the combustion gas in the burner while producing a second exhaust gas; using the first exhaust gas at least partially as an oxygen source for the combustion; and gaining heat energy from the exhaust gases, with at least approximately half of the water contained in the exhaust gases being condensed out; wherein the two exhaust gases are mixed directly upon their leaving the stack of fuel cells and the burner respectively, the exhaust gas mixture being conducted into a heat exchanger in which heat for heating purposes is removed from the mixture while water vapor is condensed; andwherein subsequently a portion of the cooled mixture is conducted back to the burner for the combustion.