Fuel cell hybrid power generation system and method for gas distribution systems

摘要

A method for use with a gas distribution system in which a higher pressure gas is transported/distributed and reduced to a lower pressure gas for a gas distribution or transmission line, the method comprising pre-heating the higher pressure gas before it is reduced in pressure, using an energy recovery generator to generate electricity using the pre-heated higher pressure gas while reducing the gas pressure to a lower gas pressure, using a fuel cell power plant to generates electricity while producing heat that is used to pre-heat high pressure gas, and combining the electrical outputs of the energy recovery generator and the fuel cell power plant to generate a combined electrical output. The method also comprises the fuel cell power plant making the waste heat available to the gas pre-heater without using a combustion unit thereby increasing the system's electrical efficiency.