Abstract:
Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated to provide enhanced CO2 utilization. This can increase the effective amount of carbonate ion transport that is achieved. The enhanced CO2 utilization is enabled in part by operating an MCFC under conditions that cause transport of alternative ions across the electrolyte. The amount of alternative ion transport that occurs during enhanced CO2 utilization can be mitigated by using a more acidic electrolyte.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for arranging processing units in a common volume to allow for processing of a fluid flow as part of a mass and/or heat transfer process. Fuel cells are examples of processing units that include separate flow paths for processing two input fluid flows with mass and/or heat transfer between the separate flow paths. The arrangements described herein can allow a gas phase fluid flow to be delivered to a first process flow path of processing units in a common volume. The gas phase fluid flow can be delivered in a relatively uniform manner without the use of an intervening manifold to distribute gas from the common volume into the processing units.
Abstract:
Aspects of the technology described herein comprise a raw material valuation system that is able to quantify an outcome of various raw material management decisions. Raw material management decisions can include, but are not limited to, purchasing a raw material, selling a raw material, transferring a raw material within a chemical production system, and substituting a proposed purchase of a first raw material with the purchase of a second material. The raw material valuation system can quantify a contemplated changes to a raw material management plan by comparing an optimal reference usage plan to an optimal updated usage plan. The raw material valuation system can calculate a breakeven sale price for a raw material in inventory or a breakeven purchase price for a raw material to be purchased. The raw material valuation system used to generate the reference usage plan and the updated usage plan can use a multi-period optimization model.
Abstract:
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process in various manners, including providing synthesis gas for use in producing hydrocarbonaceous carbons. Additionally, integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process can facilitate further processing of vent streams or secondary product streams generated during the synthesis process.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells to allow for periodic regeneration of the fuel cells while performing elevated CO2 capture. In some aspects, periodic regeneration can be achieved by shifting the location within the fuel cells where the highest density of alternative ion transport is occurring. Such a shift can result in a new location having a highest density of alternative ion transport, while the previous location can primarily transport carbonate ions. Additionally or alternately, periodic regeneration can be performed by modifying the input flows to the fuel cell and/or relaxing the operating conditions of the fuel cell to reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport.
Abstract:
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.
Abstract:
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process in various manners, including providing synthesis gas for use in producing hydrocarbonaceous carbons. Additionally, integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process can facilitate further processing of vent streams or secondary product streams generated during the synthesis process.
Abstract:
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process in various manners, including providing synthesis gas for use in producing hydrocarbonaceous carbons. Additionally, integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process can facilitate further processing of vent streams or secondary product streams generated during the synthesis process.
Abstract:
Cathode collector structures and/or corresponding cathode structures are provided that can allow for improved operation for a molten carbonate fuel cell when operated under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization. A cathode collector structure that provides an increased open area at the cathode surface can reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs within the fuel cell. Additionally or alternately, grooves in the cathode surface can be used to increase the open area.
Abstract:
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integrating molten carbonate fuel cells with a fired heater for production of electrical power while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 present in the flue gas generated by the fired heater. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated for use with fired heater so that at least a portion of the flue gas from fired heater flows through cathodes of the fuel cells and at least a portion of the cathode exhaust is returned to a convection section of the fired heater.