PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM NATURAL GAS USING A SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL

摘要

A PROCESS OF GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM NATURAL GAS (1) COMPRISES SUPPLYING AIR (37) TO THE CATHODE SIDE (20) OF A SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL (10); CONVERTING AT THE ANODE SIDE (15) OF THE FUEL CELL THE NATURAL GAS TO HYDROGEN AND CARBON MONOXIDE AND ALLOWING THE CATHODE AND ANODE REACTIONS TO TAKE PLACE TO PRODUCE A POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANODE AND CATHODE WHEREIN AN ANODE OFF-GAS IS PRODUCED WHICH COMPRISES WATER AND CARBON DIOXIDE AND FEEDING THE ANODE OFF-GAS FROM THE ANODE SIDE (15) TO A CERAMIC AFTERBURNER (75) IN WHICH ANY UNBURNED CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROGEN ARE COMBUSTED WITHOUT ADDITION OF NITROGEN TO THE ANODE OFF-GAS.