Patent ID: 6645652
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B01B,C01B,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A fuel cell electric power generation system comprising:(A) an electric power generation subsystem comprising at least one fuel cell which comprises a cathode, an anode, and an ion exchange membrane disposed therebetween, said anode having a catalyst associated therewith for producing electrons and protons from a hydrogen-rich fuel stream, said cathode having a catalyst associated therewith for promoting the reaction of oxygen with said protons and electrons to form water and heat, and a cathode exhaust port associated with said cathode for exhausting a cathode exhaust stream comprising residual oxygen from said cathode; (B) a fuel processing subsystem for converting an inlet fuel stream into said hydrogen-rich fuel stream and directing said hydrogen-rich fuel stream to said anode; (C) an oxidant subsystem for pressurizing an inlet oxidant stream and directing a pressurized oxidant stream to said cathode; (D) a water circulation subsystem for circulating water within said fuel cell electric power generation system, said water circulation subsystem comprising: (1) a water reservoir for collecting recycled water and receiving makeup water; (2) a feedwater pump fed for pumping a first portion of circulation water from said water reservoir to a fuel stream humidifier and a second portion of said circulation water to an oxidant stream humidifier; (3) a first water recovery apparatus for recovering water from said oxidant stream humidifier; (4) a second water recovery apparatus for recovering water from at least one of said cathode exhaust stream and an anode exhaust stream; and (E) a temperature control subsystem fluidly isolated from said water circulation subsystem, said temperature control subsystem comprising: (1) a pump for circulating a temperature control fluid through said temperature control subsystem that comprises fluid passages within said electric power generation subsystem; (2) an indirect heat exchanger for exchanging heat between said temperature control fluid and said second portion of said circulation water; and (3) a temperature control subsystem heat exchanger for dissipating excess heat from said temperature control subsystem.