A fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell having a first anode and a first cathode, wherein the first anode is configured to output a first anode exhaust gas. The system further includes a first oxidizer configured to receive the first anode exhaust gas and air from a first air supply, to react the first anode exhaust gas and the air in a preferential oxidation reaction, and to output an oxidized gas. The system further includes a second fuel cell configured to act as an electrochemical hydrogen separator. The second fuel cell includes a second anode configured to receive the oxidized gas from the first oxidizer and to output a second anode exhaust gas, and a second cathode configured to output a hydrogen stream. The system further includes a condenser configured to receive the second anode exhaust gas and to separate water and C0.sub.2.

A carbon dioxide capture system includes a fuel cell assembly comprising an anode section and a cathode section; an electrochemical hydrogen separator (EHS) configured to receive an anode exhaust stream from the anode section of the fuel cell assembly, and generate a first EHS output stream comprising hydrogen, and a second EHS output stream comprising concentrated carbon dioxide; and a liquid-vapor separator (LVS) configured to receive the second EHS output stream, and separate the second EHS output stream into a first LVS output stream comprising liquid carbon dioxide, and a second LVS output stream comprising non-condensable gases in the second EHS output stream and carbon dioxide vapor.

A hydrogen purifier includes an electrolyte membrane including a proton conductive polymer, an anode having an anode catalyst layer disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode having a cathode catalyst layer disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, a separator which has a fluid channel and through which carbon monoxide, hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to the anode, and a power supply that energizes the anode and the cathode, the anode catalyst layer including Pt, the cathode catalyst layer including Pt and Ru.

Provided is an electromechanical hydrogen pump, including: (i) an electrolyte membrane; (ii) an anode electrode layer and an anode diffusion layer that are provided at one side of the electrolyte membrane; (iii) a cathode electrode layer and a cathode diffusion layer that are provided at the other side of the electrolyte membrane; (iv) an anode seal that has openings each surrounding the anode diffusion layer; (v) a cathode seal that has openings each surrounding the cathode diffusion layer; (vi) an anode separator that is placed on an outer side of the anode diffusion layer; and (vii) a cathode separator that is placed on an outer side of the cathode diffusion layer, wherein no spaces are provided between the anode diffusion layer and the anode seal or between the cathode diffusion layer and the cathode seal.

A hydrogen extraction system is provided. The extraction system can comprise a compressor for compressing a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and a desulfurization unit for receiving the compressed gas mixture. The system can also comprise a hydrogen-extraction device for receiving a reduced-sulfur gas mixture and a hydrogen storage device for receiving an extracted hydrogen gas. A method of extracting hydrogen from a gas mixture comprising natural gas and hydrogen, and a method of determining an energy price are also provided.

The present invention provides a process and an apparatus for the production of compressed hydrogen gas from an input stream comprising gaseous methane. The apparatus comprises a solid oxide fuel (1) cell and an electro-chemical device (2) capable of extracting gaseous hydrogen and compressing it. The solid oxide fuel cell is capable of reforming the input stream comprising gaseous methane (6) to produce a product mixture comprising hydrogen. At least a portion of the product mixture comprising hydrogen is supplied (10) to the electrochemical device to produce a compressed hydrogen stream (11). At least a portion of the product mixture comprising hydrogen is consumed by the solid oxide fuel cell to produce direct current electricity to at least partially power the electrochemical device, and optionally an electrolysis apparatus (12), for additional hydrogen production.

Embodiments of a self-sustainable solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system for powering a gas well comprise a first SOFC comprising a first cathode, a first anode, and a first solid electrolyte; a second SOFC comprising a second cathode, a second anode, and a second solid electrolyte; SO.sub.2 removal equipment; a combustion circuit comprising a combustor and a circulating heat carrier in thermal connection with the combustor, the first SOFC, and the second SOFC; and one or more external electric circuits. The first anode comprises a first oxidation region configured to produce SO.sub.2 and electrons. The second anode comprises a second oxidation region configured to electrochemically oxidize CH.sub.4 to produce syngas and electrons and electrochemically oxidize H.sub.2 to produce H.sub.2O and electrons. The external electric circuits are configured to generate power from the electrons produced in both the first SOFC and the second SOFC.

The invention is directed to a system and method for for producing energy on transportation routes. A road-based Solar System for production of hydrogen and electricity is provided. This is a novel decentralized system for production, storage, energy collection, conversion is disclosed comprising: a. System and method for converting solar energy to electrical energy; b. Means and methods for storing and/or transporting said electrical energy; c. System and for converting said electrical energy to a gas fuel; d. System and method for storing or transporting said gas fuel; The modules and units for converting solar energy to electrical energy are configured to be positioned above, adjacent on or a transportation network, thereby utilising the pre-existing road system and drastically reducing wasteful land use.

The present disclosure is directed to a method of maintaining pressure within a compressed fuel storage system. The method may include compressing a fuel source with a compressor; directing fuel from the compressor to a first fuel reservoir; determining that the first fuel reservoir has reached a target fill pressure; transiting from the first fuel reservoir to a second fuel reservoir by redirecting the fuel to the second fuel reservoir; and opening a flow limiting valve to limit the rate of pressure change of the compressor to an allowable rate of pressure change when transitioning from the first fuel reservoir to the second fuel reservoir.

A hydrogen extraction system is provided. The extraction system can comprise a compressor for compressing a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and a desulfurization unit for receiving the compressed gas mixture. The system can also comprise a hydrogen-extraction device for receiving a reduced-sulfur gas mixture and a hydrogen storage device for receiving an extracted hydrogen gas. A method of extracting hydrogen from a gas mixture comprising natural gas and hydrogen, and a method of determining an energy price are also provided.