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US5736026A
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Biomass-fuel cell cogeneration apparatus and method
Assignee: Fuelcell Energy Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-05
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2016-02-05
Abstract
Abstract Integrated ethanol manufacturing by fermentation of biomass, with an electrical fuel cell generator of electrical and heat energy, the cogeneration including use by the fuel cell of the alcohol, and of the carbon dioxide from the fermentation, which increases the generation of energy, and use by the alcohol manufacturing of the heat and electrical energy from the fuel cell, which increases the fuel manufacture.
Inventors
- 👤 Pinakin S. Patel
- 👤 Jen Jung Fan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; C; C12; C12M; C12M43/00; C12M43/08; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/0625; H01M8/14; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A biomass fermentation-electrical fuel cell cogeneration process including the steps of: (a) fermenting a biomass, (b) collecting carbon dioxide from the fermenting biomass, (c) delivering the carbon dioxide to the cathode of an electrical fuel cell which uses the carbon dioxide as a chemical reducing agent in generating electrical energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A biomass fermentation-electrical fuel cell cogeneration process including the steps of: (a) fermenting a biomass, (b) collecting carbon dioxide from the fermenting biomass, (c) delivering the carbon dioxide to the cathode of an electrical fuel cell which uses the carbon dioxide as a chemical reducing agent in generating electrical energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process described in claim 1, further including transferring chemical heat generated by the electrical fuel cell's chemical process, to elements of the biomass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process described in claim 1, further including the steps of (d) collecting alcohol from the biomass fermented in step (a), and (e) fueling the anode of the electrical fuel cell with the alcohol obtained in step (d).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process described in claim 3, further including transferring chemical heat generated by the electrical fuel cell's chemical process, to elements of the biomass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The process described in claim 4 wherein the transferring of the heat includes applying the heat to fermented elements of the biomass, the heat being applied so that the heat causes alcohol to be driven from said fermented elements for said collecting of step (d) for use in step (e) fueling of the anode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process described in claim 4 further including steps (f) of cooking the biomass, and then (g) of saccharification of the cooked biomass, wherein the transferring of the heat includes the heat being applied to the biomass during step (f).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process described in claim 1 further including applying electrical energy generated by the fuel cell to breaking the biomass into smaller parts so that it is in better condition for carrying out step (a).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A biomass fermentation-electrical fuel cell cogeneration process including the steps of: taking biomass, and (a) fermenting the biomass, (b) collecting alcohol of a preselected concentration from the biomass fermented in step (a) (c) fueling an electrical fuel cell with the alcohol obtained in step (b).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A biomass fermentation-electrical fuel cell cogeneration process including the steps of: taking biomass, and (a) fermenting the biomass, (b) collecting alcohol of a preselected concentration from the biomass fermented in step (a) (c) fueling an electrical fuel cell with the alcohol obtained in step (b).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process described in claim 8, further including the step of (d) transferring chemical heat generated by the electrical fuel cell's chemical process to elements of the biomass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The process described in claim 9 wherein the transferring of the heat in step (d) includes applying the heat to fermented elements Of the biomass, the heat being applied so that the heat causes alcohol to be driven from said fermented elements for said collecting of step (b), for use in step (c) fueling of the anode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process described in claim 9, further including steps (e) of cooking the biomass, and then.(f) of saccharification of the coeked biomass, wherein the transferring of the heat to elements of the biomass includes the heat being applied during step (e).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process described in claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises step (g) of reforming the alcohol of step (c) at the anode of an internally reforming molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process described in claim 9, where step (c) comprises step (h) of reforming the alcohol of step (b) to provide hydrogen, and fueling the anode of a molten carbonate fuel cell with the hydrogen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process described in claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of (i) preconverting the alcohol of step (b) to provide methane, and then (j) reforming the methane at the anode of an internally reforming molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process described in claim 8, wherein step (c) comprises step (g) of reforming the alcohol of step (c) at the anode of an internally reforming molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process described in claim 8, where step (c) comprises step (h) of reforming the alcohol of step (b) to provide hydrogen, and fueling the anode of a molten carbonate fuel cell with the hydrogen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process described in claim 8, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of (i) preconverting the alcohol of step (b) to provide methane, and then (j) reforming the methane at the anode of an internally reforming molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process described in claim 8, wherein the fueling of step (c) consists of fueling predominantly with partially dewatered alcohol obtained from step (b).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process described in claim 8 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 1-60%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process described in claim 19, wherein said preselected concentration is in a range of 15-30%.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process of fueling a molten carbonate fuel cell with a fuel that consists predominantly of partially dewatered alcohol of a preselected concentration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process of fueling a molten carbonate fuel cell with a fuel that consists predominantly of partially dewatered alcohol of a preselected concentration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process described in claim 21 in which the fueling with the partially dewatered alcohol comprises reforming the partially dewatered alcohol to provide hydrogen and delivering the hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process described in claim 21 in which the fueling with the partially dewatered alcohol comprises preconverting the alcohol to provide methane, and then reforming the methane at the anode of an internally reforming molten carbonate fuel cell.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process described in claim 21 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 1-60%.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process described in claim 24 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 15-30%.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
72 words
A biomass fermentation-electrical fuel cell cogeneration system comprising: means for holding a biomass, means for fermenting the biomass, connected to said means for holding, means for separating alcohol of preselected concentration from the fermented biomass, connected to said means for fermenting, an electrical fuel cell connected to said means for separating alcohol from the fermented biomass, for receiving said alcohol for generating electrical energy electrochemically and chemical heat energy from said alcohol.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
72 words
A biomass fermentation-electrical fuel cell cogeneration system comprising: means for holding a biomass, means for fermenting the biomass, connected to said means for holding, means for separating alcohol of preselected concentration from the fermented biomass, connected to said means for fermenting, an electrical fuel cell connected to said means for separating alcohol from the fermented biomass, for receiving said alcohol for generating electrical energy electrochemically and chemical heat energy from said alcohol.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 26, further comprising: means for transferring heat energy, connected to said fuel cell and to said means for holding, for heating of said biomass.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 27, further comprising: said means for separating comprising distillation means, said means for transferring heat energy being connected to said distillation means for transferring the heat to said distillation means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 27, further comprising: means for cooking said biomass, connected to said means for holding, said means for transferring heat energy being connected to said means for cooking.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
69 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 27, further comprising: means for receiving the biomass, connected to said means for holding the biomass, means for reducing the biomass to smaller parts, connected to said means for holding, between said means for receiving and said means for fermenting, and being connected to said electrical fuel cell for receiving electrical energy from said electrical fuel cell for operating said means for reducing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 27, further comprising: means for collecting carbon dioxide from said means from fermenting, said electrical fuel cell further being connected to said means for collecting carbon dioxide for receiving the carbon dioxide for using the carbon dioxide chemically in said generating of electrical and heat energy.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 27, further comprising: means for trying the biomass, connected to said means for fermenting, said means for transferring heat energy being connected to said means for drying.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 27, further comprising: an anode exhaust converter connected between an anode and a cathode of said electrical fuel cell, and connected to said means for transferring heat energy.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 26, further comprising: means for collecting carbon dioxide from said means from fermenting, said electrical fuel cell further being connected to said means for collecting carbon dioxide for receiving the carbon dioxide for using the carbon dioxide chemically in said generating of electrical and heat energy.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 26, further comprising: means for reforming alcohol to hydrogen, connected to said means for separating and said fuel cell for reforming said alcohol to hydrogen for said receiving of said alcohol by said fuel cell.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 26, further comprising: means for converting alcohol to methane, connected to said means for separating and said fuel cell for converting said alcohol to methane for said receiving of said alcohol by said fuel cell.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 26 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 1-60%.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 37 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 15-30%.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
76 words
A biomass-electrical fuel cell cogeneration system comprising means for making alcohol of preselected concentration from biomass and at least one of electrical energy and heat energy, by fermentation; electrical fuel cell means connected to said means for making alcohol for receiving said alcohol and generating electricity electrochemically and chemical heat energy from said alcohol, said means for making alcohol receiving said at least one of electrical energy and heat energy from said electrical fuel cell means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
76 words
A biomass-electrical fuel cell cogeneration system comprising means for making alcohol of preselected concentration from biomass and at least one of electrical energy and heat energy, by fermentation; electrical fuel cell means connected to said means for making alcohol for receiving said alcohol and generating electricity electrochemically and chemical heat energy from said alcohol, said means for making alcohol receiving said at least one of electrical energy and heat energy from said electrical fuel cell means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
51 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 39, further comprising: means for reforming alcohol to hydrogen, connected to said means for making alcohol and to said fuel cell for reforming said alcohol to hydrogen for said receiving of said alcohol by said fuel cell for said generating of electricity and heat energy.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 39, further comprising: means for converting alcohol to methane, connected to said means for making alcohol and to said fuel cell, for converting said alcohol to methane for said receiving of said alcohol by said fuel cell for said generating of said electricity and heat energy.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 39 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 1-60%.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 42 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 15-30%.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
80 words
A biomass-electrical fuel cell cogeneration system comprising means for making alcohol of preselected concentration from biomass and at least one of electrical energy and heat energy, by fermentation; electrical fuel cell means connected to said means for making alcohol for receiving said alcohol partially dewatered and generating electricity electrochemically and chemical heat energy from said partially dewatered alcohol, said means for making alcohol receiving said at least one of electrical energy and heat energy from said electrical fuel cell means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
80 words
A biomass-electrical fuel cell cogeneration system comprising means for making alcohol of preselected concentration from biomass and at least one of electrical energy and heat energy, by fermentation; electrical fuel cell means connected to said means for making alcohol for receiving said alcohol partially dewatered and generating electricity electrochemically and chemical heat energy from said partially dewatered alcohol, said means for making alcohol receiving said at least one of electrical energy and heat energy from said electrical fuel cell means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 44 wherein said preselected concentration of alcohol is in a range of 1-60%.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cogeneration system described in claim 45 wherein said preselected concentration is in a range of 15-30%.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5500306A
Cited
US5554453A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |