METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL IN COMBINATION WITH AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL TO PRODUCE A CHEMICAL PRODUCT

摘要

A method for operating a first electrochemical fuel cell in combination with a second electrochemical cell which employs a direct current converter, the first fuel cell consuming a fuel and an oxidant to produce electrical power, the second electrochemical cell producing a chemical product and an oxidant as a result of the consumption of electrical power. The method includes operating the electrochemical cell at a first current and at a first voltage to produce a chemical product and an oxidant and supplying the oxidant to the fuel cell for consumption of at least a portion of the oxidant in the fuel cell. The fuel cell is operated to consume fuel and at least a portion of the oxidant to produce direct current electrical power at a second current and at a second voltage. The power output of the fuel cell which is at the second current and the second voltage is converted to a third current and an output voltage which matches the first voltage of the electrochemical cell, and, the third current is supplied to the electrolysis cell to provide at least a portion of the power required to produce the chemical product and the oxidant at the first current and the first voltage.