Zero emission fuel system for use with a fuel cell

摘要

A self-contained fuel system for use with a high temperature fuel cell is described to address containment of carbon dioxide evolution. The system utilizes a slurry containing calcium carbide and calcium hydride that is pumped into a water reservoir. The resulting hydrolysis reaction generates acetylene, hydrogen and water-soluble calcium hydroxide. The acetylene and hydrogen are catalytically converted to synthesis gas, which is used by a fuel cell to generate electricity. Carbon dioxide exhaust from the fuel cell is reacted with calcium hydroxide to form a storable solid, calcium carbonate.

主权项

1. A fuel system for use with a fuel cell that releases carbon dioxide CO2 gas when operating, comprising:
a slurry contained in a slurry chamber wherein said slurry is comprised of glycerin, calcium carbide powder CaC2, and calcium hydride powder CaH2; a reaction chamber joined to said slurry chamber wherein said slurry is pumped into the reaction chamber and reacted with water to generate a pre-fuel product and a byproduct, wherein said byproduct is to be combined with carbon dioxide CO2 gas generated by a fuel cell; a fuel processor joined to said reaction chamber wherein said fuel processor receives the pre-fuel product that is catalyzed in two stages, first by a hydrogenation catalyst and then by a reforming catalyst, resulting in a fuel product for a fuel cell; a fuel cell joined to said fuel processor that receives the fuel product and generates carbon dioxide gas; a precipitation chamber joined to the reaction chamber and the fuel cell that receives the byproduct and the carbon dioxide gas generated by the fuel cell, wherein the carbon dioxide gas is reacted with the byproduct to form a storable solid precipitate in solution; and a means for directing the carbon dioxide CO2 gas from the fuel cell into the precipitation chamber.