Patent US3101656A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4644751A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated fuel-cell/steam plant for electrical generation
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1985-03-14
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Granted: 1987-02-24
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Expires: 2005-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An electrical generating plant of high efficiency utilizes a conventional steam plant powered by a fossil fuel such as coal, gas or oil, in internal integration with a high temperature solid-oxide fuel-cell. In one embodiment, the spent fuel and the wast heat from the fuel-cell of electrochemical action is made directly available to the combustion furnace of the steam plant for thermodynamic extraction. The system can achieve efficiencies up to 65% compared to ordinary steam plants which have an efficiency of about 35%.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael S. Hsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:40
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K3/00; F01K3/18; F01K3/185; H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/0625; H01M8/10; H01M8/12; H01M8/1231; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An electrical generating facility having increased efficiency comprising: a fossil fired steam power plant including a boiler having a combustion furnace; a high temperature fuel-cell in operative relationship with said combustion furnace; a fossil-fuel supply: means for introducing said fossil fuel to said fuel-cell for generating electricity whereby said fossil fuel becomes partially spent and surplus heat is generated; and means for directing said partially spent fossil fuel and said surplus heat from said fuel-cell to said combustion furnace for further combustion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electrical generating facility having increased efficiency comprising: a fossil fired steam power plant including a boiler having a combustion furnace; a high temperature fuel-cell in operative relationship with said combustion furnace; a fossil-fuel supply: means for introducing said fossil fuel to said fuel-cell for generating electricity whereby said fossil fuel becomes partially spent and surplus heat is generated; and means for directing said partially spent fossil fuel and said surplus heat from said fuel-cell to said combustion furnace for further combustion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrical generating facility of claim 1 wherein said fuel is gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical generating facility of claim 1 wherein said fuel is coal and said fuel supply comprises a coal gasifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical generating facility of claim 1 wherein said fuel is oil and said fuel supply is a reactor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrical generating facility of claim 2 wherein said fuel supply includes an internal reformer which is integrated with a heat exchanger and the fuel-cell in a high temperature zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical generating generating facility of claim 5 wherein the reformer produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a gaseous fuel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical generating facility of claim 1 wherein said fuel-cell operates at a temperature between about 700° C. and 1200° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrical generating facility of claim 7 wherein the heat generated by the operation of said fuel-cell is directed to said boiler for subsequent steam generation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrical generating facility having increased efficiency comprising: a fossil fuel fired, steam power plant including a boiler having at least one high temperature zone therein and including a combustion furnace; a higher temperature fuel-cell mounted within said boiler in said high temperature zone; a fossil fuel supply; and means directing a portion of said fuel supply to said fuel-cell and a portion to said combustion furnace.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrical generating facility having increased efficiency comprising: a fossil fuel fired, steam power plant including a boiler having at least one high temperature zone therein and including a combustion furnace; a higher temperature fuel-cell mounted within said boiler in said high temperature zone; a fossil fuel supply; and means directing a portion of said fuel supply to said fuel-cell and a portion to said combustion furnace.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4087976A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-23 | 1990-08-25 | 1991-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-23 | 1994-08-25 | 1995-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-23 | 1998-08-25 | 1999-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |