INTEGRATED POWER GENERATION AND CARBON CAPTURE USING FUEL CELLS

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for capturing CO2 from a combustion source using molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The fuel cells are operated to have a reduced anode fuel utilization. Optionally, at least a portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as a fuel for the combustion source. Optionally, a second portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as part of an anode input stream. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of fuel cell area required for separating CO2 from the combustion source exhaust and/or modifications in how the fuel cells are operated.

主权项

1. A method for capturing carbon dioxide from a combustion source, the method comprising:
introducing a fuel stream and an O2-containing stream into a combustion zone; performing a combustion reaction in the combustion zone to generate a combustion exhaust, the combustion exhaust comprising CO2; processing a cathode inlet stream, the cathode inlet stream comprising at least a first portion of the combustion exhaust, with a fuel cell array of one or more molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode exhaust stream from at least one cathode outlet of the fuel cell array, the one or more molten carbonate fuel cells comprising one or more fuel cell anodes and one or more fuel cell cathodes, the one or more molten carbonate fuel cells being operatively connected to the combustion zone through at least one cathode inlet; reacting carbonate from the one or more fuel cell cathodes with H2 within the one or more fuel cell anodes to produce electricity and an anode exhaust stream from at least one anode outlet of the fuel cell array, the anode exhaust steam comprising CO2 and H2; separating CO2 from the anode exhaust stream in one or more separation stages to form a CO2-depleted anode exhaust stream; passing at least a combustion-recycle portion of the CO2-depleted anode exhaust stream to the combustion zone; and recycling at least an anode-recycle portion of the CO2-depleted anode exhaust stream to the one or more fuel cell anodes.