Patent ID: 7201979
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: C25B,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a terrestrial solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system comprising: operating the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system in a fuel cell mode to generate power; and operating the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode to generate oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel; wherein: the step of operating the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system in the electrolysis mode comprises providing power, carbon dioxide and water vapor to the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell and generating the oxygen and the hydrocarbon fuel; the step of operating the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system in the fuel cell mode comprises providing oxidizer and the hydrocarbon fuel to the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell and releasing carbon dioxide and water vapor from the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell; the hydrocarbon fuel comprises methane; and the step of generating the oxygen and the hydrocarbon fuel comprises: