MXPA99006155A - Pressurized, integrated electrochemical converter energy system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrochemical converter is disposed within a pressure vessel that collects hot exhaust gases generated by the converter for delivery to a cogeneration bottoming device, such as a gas turbine. The bottoming device extracts energy from the waste heat generated by the converter, such as a fuel cell for the generation of electricity, yielding an improved efficiency energy system. Bottoming devices can include,for example, a gas turbine system or a heating, ventilation or cooling (HVAC) system. The pressure vessel can include a heat exchanger, such as a cooling jacket, for cooling the pressure vessel and/or preheating an input reactant to the electrochemical converter prior to introduction of the reactant to the converter. In one embodiment, a compressor of a gas turbine system assembly draws an input reactant through the pressure vessel heat exchanger and delivers the reactant under pressure to a fuel cell enclosed therein. Pressurized and heated fuel cell exhaust gases are collected by the pressure vessel and delivered to the turbine system expander. The fuel cell and the pressure vessel function as the combustor of the gas turbine assembly. The expander can perform mechanical work, or can be coupled to a generator to provide electrical energy in addition to that provided by the fuel cell. Also disclosed is a feedthrough for transferring a fluid, such as exhaust gases or an input reactant, from outside the pressure vessel to within the pressure vessel.

Description

INTEGRATED, PRESSEDIZED ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERTER ENERGY SYSTEM Reference to related applications This application claims priority in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 199 (e) on co-pending US provisional application number 60 / 034,836, entitled 'Pressurized, Integrated Electrochemical Converter System', filed on December 31, 1996, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference; and is an application which is a continuation in part of the co-pending US application No. 08 / 325,486, entitled wUltra High Efficiency Turbine And Combustible Cell Combination ", presented on October 19, 1994 whose content is incorporated here by reference. The North American application 08 / 325,486 is a continuation in part of the application of North American patent number 08 / 287,093, entitled * Electrochemical Converter Having Internal Ther to the Integration ", (Electrochemical converter with internal thermal integration), presented on August 8, 1994 , and issued as US Patent No. 5,501,781 on March 26, 1996, which is also incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to high temperature electrochemical converters, such as, for example, fuel cells, and more specifically To high-performance power or power systems that use electrochemical converters, electrochemical converters, such as fuel cells, convert the chemical energy derived from fuel directly into electrical power, one type of fuel cell includes a series of power units. electrolyte, where electrics are fixed of fuel and oxidant electrodes, in a similar series of interconnectors placed between the electrolyte units in order to provide electrical connections. The electricity is generated through electrodes and the electrolyte by an electrochemical reaction triggered when a fuel, for example, hydrogen, is introduced into the fuel electrode and an oxidant, for example air, is introduced into the oxidant electrode. Alternatively, the electrochemical converter can be operated in electrolysis device mode, wherein the electrochemical converter consumes electricity and input reagents and produces fuel. When an electrochemical converter, such as a fuel cell, performs a fuel-to-electricity conversion in a fuel cell mode, a waste energy is generated and must be properly processed to maintain the proper operating temperature. of the electrochemical converter and to increase the overall efficiency of the power system. Conversely, when the converter performs a conversion of electricity to fuel in the electrolyser mode, the electrolyte must be provided with heat to maintain its reaction. In addition, the fuel reforming process, frequently employed with. fuel cells, may require the introduction of thermal energy. Thus, the thermal management of the electrochemical converter system for proper operation and efficiency is important. Thermal management techniques may include the combination of an electrochemical converter with other energy devices in an effort to extract energy from the waste heat of the converter exhaust. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,462,817 issued to Hsu discloses certain combinations of electrochemical converters and bottom devices that draw energy from the converter for use by the bottom device. Environmental and political concerns associated with traditional combustion-based energy systems such as power generation plants that consume coal or oil are increasing interest in alternative energy systems such as energy systems that use electrochemical converters. Nevertheless, electrochemical converters have not found wide use, despite significant advantages over conventional energy systems. For example, compared to traditional energy systems, electrochemical converters such as fuel cells are relatively efficient and do not pollute. The large capital investment in conventional energy systems requires the realization of all the advantages of competing energy systems for such systems to find increased use. Therefore, electrochemical converter power systems can benefit from further development to optimize their advantages compared to traditional energy systems and increase the likelihood of their widespread use. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to increase the efficiency of an energy system employing an electrochemical converter. It is another object of the present invention to simplify energy systems employing electrochemical converters. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified electrochemical converter energy system that extracts energy from the residual heat generated by the electrochemical converter.

Although electrochemical converters have important advantages over conventional energy systems, for example, they are relatively efficient and do not produce contaminants, they have not yet found widespread use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention focuses on the above objects and other objects providing methods and apparatus for more efficient operation of an energy system employing an electrochemical converter. According to the present invention, an electrochemical converter such as a fuel cell is combined with a cogeneration or bottom device that extracts energy from the residual heat produced by the fuel cell. The electrochemical converter and the bottom device form an improved energy system for converting fuel into useful forms of electrical, mechanical or thermal energy. Devices that can be combined with a fuel cell include gas turbines, steam turbines, thermal fluid boilers, and heat activated coolers. The last two devices are frequently incorporated into a ventilation and thermal cooling system (HVAC). In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an electrochemical converter is placed within a positive pressure vessel adapted to collect heated exhaust gases produced by the electrochemical converter. At least a part of the exhaust gases generated by the electrochemical converter are sent to the internal part of the pressure vessel for collection in the container, and the pressure vessel includes an exhaust element for routing the collected gases to a device for background. The positive pressure vessel allows the exhaust gases generated by the electrochemical converter to be collected at temperatures and pressures suitable for the extraction of energy by bottom devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to, a gas turbine, a thermal fluid boiler, a steam boiler, and a heat activated cooler, thus, the invention facilitates the integration of an electrochemical converter, such as an assembly of fuel cells, with bottom devices. The term "positive pressure vessel" includes a vessel designed to operate at pressures of one or two atmospheres, or a vessel designed to tolerate much higher pressures of up to 1000 psi.A smaller pressure vessel is useful when the bottom device used in combination with the electrochemical converter is, for example, an HVAC system incorporating a heat-activated cooler or heater.A higher pressure vessel is useful, for example with a gas turbine.According to another aspect of the present invention, a pump mechanism pumps at least one of the input reagents in the electrochemical converter such that the exhaust under pressure exits the converter and raises the pressure inside the pressure vessel In one aspect of the present invention , the pump can be the compressor of a gas turbine, and the pressure vessel and electrochemical converter enclosed inside They are used as a combustion chamber for the turbine. The exhaust gases collected by the pressure vessel are supplied to the turbine and drive it. The turbine can be connected to an electric generator to produce electrical energy in addition to the energy produced directly by the electrochemical converter. Alternatively, in a different aspect of the invention, the aforementioned pump can be a blower that increases the pressure of the internal part of the pressure vessel for an optimal supply of exhaust gases to the heating element, such as a boiler for example. steam or thermal fluid or to the cooling element such as a heat activated cooler of an HVAC system.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the energy system of the present invention includes a regenerative heat exchange element, such as a cooling jacket, in thermal communication with the pressure vessel, to maintain the outer part of the container at a selected temperature. A heat exchange fluid circulates through the jacket of cooling, typically by means of the action of a pump. According to this characteristic of the invention, the regenerative heat exchanger cools the external part of the pressure vessel. According to another feature of the invention, reagents such as those supplied to the fuel cell assembly or reagent processors pass through the cooling jacket of the pressure vessel before being introduced to the electrochemical converter. These reagents are preheated by the heat exchanger before introduction to a fuel cell per reagent processor. In another aspect of the present invention, reagents are removed through the heat exchange element by an extraction pump, and the pump output supplies the reagent to a fuel cell or reagent processor. Significantly, the extraction pump can be the compressor of a gas turbine that also extracts energy from the residual heat coming from the converter. The compressor inlet is in fluid communication with the heat exchange element to extract a reagent, such as air, through the heat exchange elements. The compressor output is in fluid communication with the fuel cell assembly, or with a reagent processor, to supply the heated reagent there. The exhaust gases under pressure are collected by the pressure vessel and supplied to the gas turbine. In another aspect of the present invention, the inlet reagent is blown, or in an alternative embodiment extracted through the heat exchanger element by means of a blower. The blower offers a slight increase in container pressure to facilitate the collection and supply of exhaust gases from an electrochemical converter to a bottom device such as an HVAC system, which may include a heat activated cooler and / or a boiler . Both the compressor, which is typically used with a turbine and the blower, increase the pressure of the container by forcing the reagent into the container, and therefore expelling the exhaust products from the electrochemical converter, which escapes to the inside of the container . Since the blower does not significantly heat the reagents, it can be arranged to blow, instead of extracting a heat exchange fluid comprising an inlet reagent or various inlet reagents through the heat exchange element to cool the container.

The invention offers an electrochemical converter energy system with increased efficiency by providing a pressure vessel for the collection of exhaust gases and minimizing the need for an independent cooling system to cool the external part of the pressure vessel. Said independent system typically includes a pump, a cooling fluid, and a radiator dedicated solely to the removal of heat from the pressure vessel heat exchanger. The invention employs an inlet reagent as a cooling fluid, eliminating the need for a dedicated cooling fluid. In addition, waste heat is introduced into the incoming reactant stream, thus eliminating the need for a separate heat exchanger and reintroducing residual heat from the converter assembly, thus increasing efficiency. The inlet reagent can be extracted through the heat exchange element of the pressure vessel by the compressor, or blown through an air blower, thus eliminating the need for a separate pump to circulate the heat exchange fluid. In another aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger of the present invention is a tubular coil in thermal communication with the thermal container, and having an internal lumen. The heat exchange fluid flows through the inner lumen of the tubular coil. In another variation of the present invention, the heat exchanger includes a porous structure, and the pressure vessel exchanges heat for transpiration as the heat exchange fluid flows through the pores of the wall. A person with certain knowledge in the field based on the presentations contained herein, can raise other useful heat exchangers to exchange heat with the pressure vessel. See, for example, Internal Thermal Integration (ITI) (internal thermal integration), described in U.S. Patent No. 5,501,781, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Radiant Thermal Integration (RTI) (radial thermal integration), described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,817, which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional temperature control systems employing isothermal temperature exchangers appear in U.S. Patent No. 5,338,622, which is also incorporated herein by reference. Modification of such techniques for heat exchange with the pressure vessel, in accordance with what is presented herein, is considered within the scope of the invention. In another aspect of the invention, feeds for reagents are provided in ducts from the outside of the pressure vessel to the set of electrochemical fuel cells placed inside the pressure vessel and in reverse. Similarly, feeds are provided to make electrical connections with the set of electrochemical converters and to output the exhaust products generated by the set of electrochemical converters. Feeds for handling the reagents are adapted to provide a transition from a high pressure, a high temperature environment within the pressure vessel to an external environment relative to the pressure vessel. The above objects and other objects, features and advantage of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers refer to the same parts in the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention and, even when they are not to scale, show the relative dimensions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an energy system employing an electrochemical converter and a gas turbine in accordance with the present invention.; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an energy system employing an electrochemical converter, such as a fuel cell, thermally coupled with a heating component of an HVAC system; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a basic cell unit of an electrochemical converter useful with the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the basic battery unit of the electrochemical converter of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the battery unit of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view, partially cut away, of a pressure vessel enclosing a series of electrochemical converters of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a feeder for use with the pressure vessel of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an energy system incorporating an electrochemical converter placed inside a pressure vessel, a pressure vessel heat exchanger, and a gas turbine system to extract energy from the generated exhaust gases by the converter. Description of the illustrated embodiments Figure 1 shows an energy system incorporating an electrochemical converter and a gas turbine in accordance with the present invention. The illustrated power system 70 includes an electrochemical converter 72 and a gas turbine assembly 71. The gas turbine assembly 71 includes a compressor 76, a turbine expander 80, and a generator 84. Air from an air source 73 is introduced to the compressor 76, through any suitable conduit, where it is compressed, heated in the air preheater 69 and discharged and introduced into the electrochemical converter 72. The fuel 74 is introduced to a reformer 68 where it is reformed as it knows in the art and is then directed towards the electrochemical converter 72. The heated air and the fuel function as input reagents and activate the electrochemical converter 72. The converter 72 receives the compressed air introduced by the compressor 76, and the fuel 74, thermally separating it in reformer 68 into non-complex reaction species, typically H2 and CO, before using fuel and air to produce in electric ergía and a high temperature leak. The exhaust is introduced to the inner part of a pressure vessel 77, which collects and routes the exhaust 79 to the gas turbine expander 80 which converts the thermal energy into rotary energy, for subsequent transfer to an electric generator 84. The Generator 84 produces electricity that can be used for both industrial purposes and for residential purposes.

The converter 72 functions as an additional electrical generator, and the illustrated electrical connections 88a and 88b show that electricity can be extracted from both the generator 84 and the converter 72. The gas turbine assembly components 71 and the generator 84 are known and commercially available. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand the integration of the electrochemical converter 72 and the gas turbine assembly 71, based on the current description and illustrations. Figure 2 shows a total energy system 90 that incorporates an electrochemical converter and a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. The total energy system 90, in addition to producing electricity, conditions, for example, heats or cools a selected fluid. The total energy system illustrated 90 includes an electrochemical converter 72 thermally connected to an HVAC system 92. The electrochemical converter 72, in addition to generating electricity. It produces waste heat that is transferred either by radiation, convection or conductively to the HVAC system 92. The electrochemical converter 72 illustrated in figure 2 is convectively connected to the HVAC system 92. HVAC systems, such as the HVAC system illustrated 92, they usually employ a closed loop system for transferring a thermal transfer fluid through a building or an industrial facility. In a closed loop system of this type, a heating component such as a steam boiler or a thermal fluid boiler, or a cooling component, such as a heat-operated cooler or another air component, for example. conditioning, conditions the heat transfer fluid, which is typically transported through the facilities through fluid conduits HVAC systems are commonly used to control environmental conditions such as temperature or humidity; in one or several structurally enclosed facilities. According to a common practice, a plurality of HVAC systems can be installed within a single installation and are connected in a suitable network that receives service from a common thermal source, which can influence either a heating component or a cooling component , or both types of components. The heating and cooling components provide the thermal energy required to heat or cool the installation. The illustrated electrochemical converter 72, for example, a fuel cell, has a fuel reagent inlet 74 and an air reagent inlet 73. The fuel reagents and oxidants are introduced to the illustrated electrochemical converter 72 through an appropriate manifold. . The petrochemical converter processes possess the fuel and oxidant reagents 74, 73, respectively, and generate, in an alteration mode, electricity and residual heat. As shown, the illustrated electrochemical converter 72 produces an exhaust 99 containing waste heat, supplied from the electrochemical converter 72 to the internal part of a pressure vessel 95, placed near the electrochemical converter 72. The pressure vessel 95 collects the exhaust 99 and delivers it to the thermal processing element 96 for use with the heating or cooling component 94 of the HVAC system 92, convector integrating convector 72 with the HVAC system 92. The thermal processing element 96 may include, for example , a convective heat exchanger corresponding geometrically to a steam generator (not shown) of a thermally activated cooler, such that the convective heat exchanger absorbs heat from the exhaust 99 and transfers the heat to the steam generator. The steam generator can have the shape of a ring and the convective heat exchanger can be placed in the center of the ring. After leaving the thermal processing element 96, the escape is then directed out of the system. A blower 98 can be used to pump an input reagent, such as, for example, the air input reagent 73, into the electrochemical converter 72 and to produce a higher pressure exhaust flow 99 within the pressure vessel 95 and from there supplied to the HVAC system 92. Alternatively, an extraction pump 100 can extract exhaust gases 99 from the electrochemical converter 72 and pressure vessel 95 to supply them to the HVAC system 92. The pressure vessel 95 used with the power system illustrated in the figure 2 is typically designed to operate at a lower pressure than the pressure vessel 77 illustrated in Figure 1. Energy systems such as those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 can achieve high efficiency through the direct integration of an electrochemical converter compact with bottom floor components. For example, the integration of the electrochemical converter with a gas turbine in the manner illustrated in Figure 1 produces a hybrid energy system having an overall energy efficiency of almost 70%. The efficiency of this system represents a significant increase compared to the efficiencies achieved by conventional gas turbine systems and electrochemical systems of the prior art. The electrochemical converter 72 also operates as a low Nox thermal source, thus improving environmental performance compared to a conventional gas turbine generation system. The electrochemical converter of the present invention is preferably a fuel cell, such as for example a solid oxide fuel cell, a melted carbonate fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, an alkaline fuel cell or an proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Electrochemical converters, such as for example fuel cells are known in the art, and are shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,462,817 to Hsu, in U.S. Patent No. 5,501,781 to Hsu, and in U.S. Patent No. 4,853,100 to Hsu, all incorporated here for reference. The above comment illustrates the energy systems that employ electrochemical converters placed inside a pressure vessel to collect exhaust gases that are then supplied to bottom devices to create a higher efficiency energy system. The above illustration of Figures 1 and 2 is not intended to be limiting; Additional energy systems may be employed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,501,781 to Hsu et al, and U.S. Patent No. 6,462,817 to Hsu have energy systems employing an electrochemical converter and a steam generator, among other energy systems.

As previously observed, the electrochemical converters useful with the present invention include fuel cells. Fuel cells typically employ the chemical potential of selected fuels, for example hydrogen molecules or carbon monoxide, in order to produce oxidized molecules in addition to electrical energy. Since the cost of supplying molecular hydrogen or molecular carbon monoxide is relatively higher than the supply of traditional fossil fuels, a fuel processing or reforming step can be used to convert fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas into a Mixture of reactive gases with high content of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Accordingly, a fuel processor, either dedicated or internally placed within the fuel cell, is used to reform by using steam, oxygen or carbon dioxide (in an endothermic reaction) fossil fuels in reactive gases not complex. Figures 3-5 illustrate, as an example, the basic cell unit 110 of the electrochemical converter 72 which is particularly suitable for integration with conventional gas turbines. The battery unit 110 includes an electrolyte plate 120 and an interconnection plate 130. The electrolyte plate 120 can be made from a ceramic, such as a stabilized zirconia material Zr02 (Y203), where an electrode material is placed. of porous oxidant 120A and a fuel electrode material 120B. Exemplary materials for the oxidant electrode material are perovskite materials, for example LaMn03 (Sr). Exemplary materials for the fuel electrode material are Cermets such as, for example, Zr02 / Ni and Zr02 / Ni0. The interconnector plate 130 is preferably made of an electrically conductive and thermally conductive interconnecting material. Examples of material of this type include nickel alloys, platinum alloys, non-metallic conductors such as for example silicon carbide, La (Mn) Cr03, and preferably Inconel, commercially available, manufactured by Inco., U.S. . The interconnector plate 130 serves as an electrical connector between adjacent electrolyte plates and as a partition between the oxidant and fuel reagents. As best illustrated in Figure 4, the interconnector plate 130 has a central opening 132 and a set of radially concentric, radially spaced intermediate openings 134. A third external set of openings 136 are found along the cylindrical portion. external or periphery of the plate 130. The interconnector plate 130 has a textured surface 138. The textured surface preferably has a series of pressures 140, as shown in Figure 4, which form a series of connected reagent flow passages. . Preferably, both sides of the interconnector plate 130 have a surface with depressions. Even though the intermediate and external set of openings 134 and 136, respectively, are illustrated with a selected number of openings, persons with certain skill in the art will recognize that any number of openings or distribution patterns may be employed, according to the requirements of Reagent system and flow. In the same way, the electrolyte plate 120 has a central opening 122, and a set of intermediate and external openings 124 and 126 that are formed in complementary locations of the openings 132, 134 and 136, respectively, of the interconnector plate 130. With reference to Figure 2, a spacer plate 150 can be interposed between the electrolyte plate 120 and the interconnector plate 130. The spacer plate 150 preferably has a corrugated surface 152 that forms a series of connected reagent flow passages, similar to the interconnection plate 130. The spacer plate 150 also has several concentric openings 154, 156 and 158 that are in complementary locations of the interconnect and electrolyte plate openings as shown. Furthermore, in this arrangement, the interconnector plate 130 does not have reagent flow passages. The spacer plate 150 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as, for example, nickel. The illustrated electrolyte plates 120, interconnector plates 130 and spacer plates 150 have any desirable geometrical configuration. In addition, the plates having the illustrated manifolds may extend outward in repetitive or non-repeating patterns, and are therefore illustrated in dashed lines. With reference to Figure 5, when the electrolyte plates 120 and the interconnector plates 130 are alternately stacked and aligned along their respective openings, the openings form multiple axials (relative to the stack) that feed the unit. pile with the input reagents and that evacuate the used fuel. Particularly, the aligned central openings 122, 132, 122 of Figures 3 and 4 form a multiple 117 of input oxidant, the aligned concentric openings 124, 134, 124 of Figures 3 and 4 form a multiple input fuel 118, and the aligned external openings 126, 136, 126 of Figures 3 and 4 form a multiple 119 of spent fuel. The depressed surface 138 of the interconnector plate 130 has, in the cross section of FIG. 5, a substantially corrugated pattern formed on both sides. This corrugated pattern forms the reagent flow passages that channel the input reagents to the periphery of the interconnector plates. The interconnector plate also has an extended heating surface or lip structure extending within each axial manifold and around the periphery of the interconnector plate. Specifically, the interconnector plate 130 has an extended flat annular surface 131A formed along its internal peripheral edge. In a preferred embodiment, the illustrated heating surface 131A extends beyond the outer peripheral edge of the electrolyte plate 120. The interconnector plate further has an extended heating surface extending within the axial multiples, for example, the edge 131B extends into said axial manifold 119 and is housed within said axial manifold 119; the edge 131C extends into the axial manifold 118 and is housed within said axial manifold 118; and the edge 131D extends into the axial manifold 117 and is housed within said axial manifold 117. The extended heating surfaces may be integrally formed with the interconnector plate or may be connected or fixed therein. The heating surface does not have to be of such material as the interconnector plate, but can comprise any suitable thermally conductive material capable of withstanding the operating temperature of the electrochemical converter. In an alternative embodiment, the extended heating surface may be formed integrally with the spacer plate or connected to the spacer plate. The absence of a ridge or other elevated structure at the periphery of the interconnector plate allows the exhaust ports to communicate with the external environment. The reagent flow passages fluidly connect the input reagent manifolds with the outer periphery, thus allowing reagents to be evacuated to the external environment, either to a thermal vessel or pressure vessel placed near the electrochemical converter, as explained below. Referring again to Figure 5, the illustrated seal material 160 can be applied over portions of the interconnector plate 130 at the manifold junctions, thereby allowing a particular inlet reagent to flow through the interconnector surface and through of the corresponding surface of the electrolyte plate 120. The bottom of the interconnector plate 130B is in contact with the fuel electrode liner 120B of the electrolyte plate 120. In this arrangement, it is desirable that the seal material only allow the penetration of the fuel reagent into the reagent flow passage, and therefore into contact with the fuel electrode. As illustrated, the seal material 160A is placed around the inlet oxidant manifold 117, forming an effective barrier to the reagent flow near the oxidant manifold 117. The seal material helps maintain the integrity of the fuel reagent in contact with the fuel electrode side 12OB of the electrolyte plate 120, and also helps to maintain the integrity of the spent fuel that exits through the used fuel manifold 119. The upper part 130A of the interconnector plate 130 has a material of seal 160B positioned around the fuel inlet manifolds 118 and used fuel manifold 119. The upper part of the interconnect plate 130A comes in contact with the oxidant coating 120B'of an opposite electrolyte plate 120 '. Accordingly, the junction in the input oxidant manifold 117 has no seal material, thus allowing the oxidant reagent to penetrate the reagent flow passages. The seal material 160B which completely surrounds the fuel manifolds 118 inhibits excessive leakage of the fuel reagent into the reagent flow passages, and thereby measuring the mixture of fuel and oxidant reagents. Similarly, the seal material 160C that completely surrounds the used fuel manifold 119 inhibits the flow of oxidant reagent used in the used fuel manifold 119. Accordingly, the purity of the spent fuel that is pumped through the manifold 119 it keeps. Referring again to Figure 5, the oxidant reagent may be introduced to the electrochemical converter through an axial manifold 117 which is formed by means of the openings 122, 132, and 122 'of the electrolyte and interconnector plates, respectively , the oxidant is distributed on the top of the interconnector plate 130A and on the oxidation electrode surface 12OA 'by the reagent flow passages. The used oxidant then flows radially outwardly towards the peripheral edge 131A and is finally discharged along the periphery of the converter element. The seal material 160C inhibits the oxidant flow in the fuel manifold 119 used. The oxidant flow path through the axial multiples is represented by solid black arrows 126A, and through the oxidant cell unit by solid black arrows 126B. The fuel reagent is introduced to the electrochemical converter 110 through the fuel manifold 118 formed by the aligned openings 124, 34 and 124 'of the plates. The fuel is introduced into the reagent flow passages and is distributed at the bottom of the interconnect plate 130B and in the fuel electrode liner 120B of the electrolyte plate 120. Concomitantly, the seal material 160A prevents the the incoming oxidant reagent enters the reagent flow passages and is therefore mixed with the reactive fuel / pure fuel mixture used. The absence of a seal material in the used fuel manifold 119 allows the spent fuel to penetrate the manifold 119. The fuel is subsequently discharged along the annular edge 131A of the interconnector plate 130. The reagent flow path of fuel is illustrated by solid black arrows 126C. The depressions 140 in the interconnector surface have an apex 140A which comes into contact with the electrolyte plates, when assembled, to establish an electrical connection therebetween. A wide variety of conductive materials can be employed for the thin interconnector plates of this invention. Such materials must meet the following requirements: (1) high strength, as well as electrical and thermal conductivity; (2) good resistance to oxidation up to the working temperature; (3) chemical compatibility and stability with the input reagents; and (4) manufacturing economy when formed in the textured plate configuration exemplified by reagent flow passages. Suitable materials for the manufacture of the interconnector plates include nickel alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, nickel-chromium-iron alloys, iron-chromium-aluminum alloys, platinum alloys, cermets of these alloys as well as refractory material as for example zirconia or alumina, silicon carbide and molybdenum disilicide. The textured patterns of the upper part and the lower part of the interconnector plate can be obtained, for example, by stamping the metal alloy sheets with one or more sets of corresponding male and female dies. The dies are prefabricated preferably in accordance with the desired configuration of the interconnector plate, and can be hardened by heat treatment to resist repetitive compression actions and mass productions as well as high operating temperatures. The stamping forming process of the interconnectors is preferably carried out in multiple steps due to the geometric complexity of the gas passage networks, for example, the interconnector plate surface with depressions. The manifolds formed in the interconnector plates are preferably drilled in the final step. It is recommended to temper between the consecutive steps to avoid over-tension of the sheet material. The stamping method can produce items of varied and complex geometry while maintaining a uniform material thickness. Alternatively, corrugated interconnects can be formed by electrodeposition in an initially flat metal plate using a set of suitable masks. Silicon carbide interconnector plates can be formed by vapor deposition on preformed substrates, by sintering bonded powders, or by self-bonding processes. The fuel and oxidant reagents are preferably preheated to a suitable temperature before entering the electrochemical converter. This preheating can be carried out by any suitable heating structure, such as, for example, regenerative heat exchanger or a radiant heat exchanger, to heat the reagents to a temperature sufficient to reduce the amount of thermal stress applied to the converter. significant is that the extended heating surfaces 131D and 131C heat the reactants contained within the oxidant and fuel manifolds 117 and 118 up to the operating temperature of the converter, Specifically, the extended surface 131D that exits in the oxidant manifold 117 heats up the oxidizing reagent, and the extended surface 131C that exits on the fuel manifold 118 heats the fuel reagent.The highly thermally conductive interconnect plate 130 facilitates the heating of the inlet reagents by conductively transferring heat from the surface inter the fuel cell, eg, the middle region of the conductive interconnector plate, toward the extended surfaces or portions of lips, thereby heating the input reagents to the operating temperature before traveling through the flow passages. of reagent. The extended surfaces work as well as a heating fin. This reagent heating structure provides a compact converter that can be integrated with a power generating system, and also provides a highly efficient system with a relatively low cost. Electrochemical converters incorporating fuel cell components constructed in accordance with these principles and employed in combination with a gas turbine or an HVAC system provide an energy system having a relatively simple system configuration. The operating temperature of the electrochemical converter is preferably between 20 ° C and 1500 ° C, and the preferred types of fuel cells used in the present invention include solid oxide fuel cells, melted carbonate fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and proton membrane fuel cells. Figures 3-5 illustrate interleaved plates which can be arranged to form a stack of fuel cells. However, the present invention is not only useful with a stacking type fuel cell, but can be used with many other types of fuel cells known in the art. For example, a fuel cell element does not have to be stacked; that is, it does not have to be constructed as a stack of interleaved plates, but may have, for example, a tubular configuration. Said tubular fuel cell element, or in other forms, known to persons having certain knowledge in the field, based on the disclosure contained herein in the present invention, is considered within the scope of the invention. In accordance with the present invention, the integration of the electrochemical converter with a bottom device, such as for example a gas turbine illustrated in FIG. 1, or with the HVAC system illustrated in FIG. 2, is aided by the converter housing. electrochemical 72 inside a pressure vessel. A preferred type of converter pressure vessel is illustrated in FIG. 6, while a pressure vessel 220, which can also function as a regenerative thermal enclosure, wraps a series of stacked fuel cell assemblies 222. The pressure vessel 220 includes an exhaust outlet manifold 224 for directing gases collected by the pressure vessel 220 to a bottom device, electrical connectors 226 and input reagent manifolds 228 and 230. In a preferred embodiment, the reagent fuel is introduced to the fuel cell stacks 222 through the centrally located manifolds 230, and the oxidant reagent is introduced through the manifolds 228 located around the periphery of the container 220. The set 222 of stacked fuel cells it can send the exhaust gases towards the internal part of the pressure vessel 220. The pressure of the appropriate exhaust gases towards the bottom device employed in combination with the pressure vessel can be controlled through the use of a pump, as per example the compressor 76 in FIG. 1, or the blower 98 in FIG. 2, which selectively pump a reagent from It is placed in the set of electrochemical converters 222 and therefore removes gases from said assembly. In accordance with what has been described above, the electrochemical converter can operate at an elevated temperature and at an ambient or slightly higher pressure, as is the case when the energy system uses an HVAC system as a bottom device, or at a high pressure, as it is the case when the energy system employs a gas turbine, and where the pressure vessel and the electrochemical converter act as the combustion chamber of the gas turbine system. The electrochemical converter is preferably a fuel cell system which may also include an interdigitalized heat exchanger, similar to the type illustrated and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,853,100, which is incorporated by reference herein. The pressure vessel 220 may include an outer wall 238 spaced from an inner wall 234, thereby creating a ring 236 therebetween. The ring 236 may be filled with an insulating material to maintain the outer surface 239 of the pressure vessel 220 at an appropriate temperature. Alternatively, the ring can accommodate or form a heat exchange element for exchanging heat with the pressure vessel 220. In a heat exchanger embodiment, the ring 236 and the walls 234 and 238 can form a heat exchange jacket for the circulation of a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger formed by the walls 234 and 238 and the ring 236 exchange heat with the pressure vessel and help maintain the outer surface 239 of the pressure vessel at an appropriate temperature. Obviously, the use of the ring 236 as a cooling jacket does not prevent the additional use of an insulating material, located in another place than in the ring 236, to reduce the heat loss from the internal part of the pressure vessel 220 and also to help to maintain the outer surface 239 of the pressure vessel at an appropriate temperature. In an embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange fluid circulating in the pressure vessel heat exchanger, such as for example the cooling jacket formed by the walls 234 and 238 and the ring 236, is an inlet reagent, such as, for example, the reagent air inlet flowing in the manifolds 238. In this embodiment, the manifolds 228 are essentially inlets that are in fluid communication with the portion of the annulus 236 adjacent to the top 240 of the pressure vessel 220. Additional manifolds (not shown) connect fluidly ring 236 with the stack 222 of fuel cells in such a way that the air inlet reagent is suitably inserted therein. The preheating of the air inlet reagent by means of the cooling jacket formed by the walls 234 and 238 and the ring 236 serves several purposes, including the preheating of the air inlet reagent to increase the efficiency by regenerationally capturing the waste heat , and cooling the outer surface 239 of the pressure vessel 220.

Figure 7 illustrates a transition or feed for use with the pressure vessel of the electrochemical converter power system, to direct the exhaust gases from the inner part of the pressure vessel through a duct for transfer to a device background. Feed 250, illustrated in Figure 7, is designed to operate at high temperatures and pressures, and includes an upper section 252, for attachment to pressure vessel 220, and a lower section 254. An axial hole 256 passes through of the upper section 252 and of the lower section 254 for channeling or transferring a fluid, such as, for example, exhaust gas, from the inner part of the pressure vessel 220 to a suitable conduit for transferring the exhaust gas to a bottom device. The upper feeding section 252 includes an external pressure tube, or jacket 260, having a flange 261 to correspond with a flange (not shown) of the pressure vessel 220. A ring of thermal insulation material 282 is placed inside the tube 260. The pressure tube 260 terminates in a pressure disc, or cap, 274. The pressure disc may be welded in the seal 263 on the external pressure tube 260. The pressure disc may be welded in the joint 265 on the outer wall of an internal pressure tube 271. The lower section 254 of the supply 250 includes the internal pressure tube 271 having a lower flange 270 for attachment to a duct (not shown). The inner tube 271 is fixed, as previously observed in the gasket 265 on the pressure cap 264. The pressure cap 264 thus forms a pressure-tight seal between the tubes 260 and 271. An insulation ring 272 is placed around the tube 271. The upper section 272 of the feed 250 thus represents a transition from the insulating ring 262 which is internal in relation to the outer tube 260 to the insulating ring 272 which represents a jacket around the outside of the internal pressure tube 271. Tube 271 has a small diameter to facilitate connection with the duct. Figure 8 illustrates an energy system 310 in which an electrochemical converter 312 is located within a pressure vessel 314 having a heat exchange element 316, such as a cooling jacket 316. The bottom device incorporated in the Illustrated energy system 310 is a gas turbine 320, which extracts mechanical energy from the waste heat in exhaust gases 315 generated by the electrochemical converter 312. Other bottom devices are possible, in accordance with the above. The pressure vessel 314 can be cooled in a regenerative manner by an oxidizing reagent 328, such as oxygen, or else by other inlet reagents, such as water 324, flowing in the heat exchange element 316, such as the jacket of cooling illustrated, or in a cooling coil. A person with certain knowledge in the art in accordance with the teachings contained herein will readily observe that the heat exchange element 316 may have various configurations. For example, the pressure vessel 314 may also be cooled by transpiration by a heat transfer fluid, such as an oxidizer reagent 328, by using an inward flow through a porous structure (not shown) placed around the vessel. pressure 314. By way of example of a cooling technique by transpiration, see U.S. Patent No. 5,338,622 to Hsu et al. , issued on August 16, 1994 and entitled * Thermal Control Apparatus "(teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.) Alternatively, heat exchanger element 316 may include a cooling coil having an internal lumen a through which the heat exchange fluid flows, and which is placed around a pressure vessel 314. In addition, a high temperature thermal jacket can isolate the container either internally, externally, or both. Typically, the pressure vessel 314 is cooled and / or insulated such that the external temperature is less than about 250 ° F. The power system 310 of Figure B can operate without the exchange member 316, which typically results in a higher temperature of the walls of the pressure vessel. The energy system 310 generates electricity in at least two ways. The electrochemical converter 312 is electrically connected to an inverter 318 to convert the direct current electrical energy generated by the converter 312 into alternating current, and the turbine expander 326 of the gas turbine assembly 320 drives a generator 322. The expander 326 turbine do not have to be used to generate electricity; its output could be connected to devices other than the generator 322 to carry out, for example, a mechanical work such as driving a tree for industrial process. Reagents for entering the electrochemical converter energy system 310 may include, but are not limited to, a reforming agent 324 which may comprise water; a fuel reagent inlet 326, such as natural gas, and an oxidant inlet reagent 328, such as air. The input reagents 324 and 326 can be preprocessed, in accordance with techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art, through a preprocessing device 330. A preprocessing apparatus, can include, for example, a unit of desulfurization to remove sulfur compounds that can damage the electrochemical converter 312, from the input fuel 326, and a filter to filter the reforming agent 324. In the illustrated embodiment, a compressor 332 extracts the oxidant inlet reagent 328 through a cooling jacket 316 and its minister reactant 328 under pressure to the electrochemical converter assembly 312, thereby increasing the pressure of the assembly 312 and causing the exhaust gases 315 to increase the pressure in the inner part 313 of the pressure vessel 314 The electrochemical converter assembly 312 in combination with a pressure vessel 314 acts accordingly as a combustion chamber, for the turbine expander 326 of the gas turbine assembly 320. The compressor 332 can be driven by a shaft 334 connected to the turbine expander 326, or alternatively, it can be driven by a separate source of energy (not illustrated). In alternative embodiments not illustrated in Figure 8, oxidant reagent 328 can circulate through cooling jacket 316 by the action of a blower or pump before entering the electrochemical converter assembly 312. In this case, the exhaust 315 of the converter assembly 312 is usually directed towards a thermally activated cooler or towards a boiler, for use with an HVAC system. A preheater 336, as is known in the art, can be used for preheating incoming reagent to electrochemical assembly 312 before it is introduced into assembly 312. In the illustrated embodiment, preheater 336 preheats oxidant inlet reagent 328 after which comes out of the compressor 332. The preheater 336 extracts energy from the exhaust gases 315 before or after the introduction of the exhaust gases 315 to the turbine expander 326 of the gas turbine assembly 320 in a regenerative manner. The electrochemical converter assembly 312 may include a reagent processor 346, such as a reformer, and a temperature regulating apparatus 348, in addition to a set of fuel cells 350. The temperature regulating apparatus 348 may include what is presented in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,338,622 and 5,462,817, which are incorporated herein by reference. The fuel cell assembly 350 and the reformer 346 can also be constructed as stacks. Stacks of fuel cells 350, reformer 346 and temperature regulating apparatus 348 can serve several functions, including the following: heating of the electrochemical converter 312 at start-up, pre-heating of one or more of the input reagents 324, 326, and 328; preheating of the reagent processor 326; reforming an inlet reagent, such as fuel 326, and heating and cooling to regulate the temperature under steady-state operation of the electrochemical converter assembly 312. The temperature regulation of the electrochemical converter assembly 312 can be achieved by the use of the temperature control apparatus 348 in a heating mode allowing the combustion of the fuel and oxidant internal and / or external to the temperature regulating apparatus 348. The temperature regulation can be achieved under a cooling mode by allowing the input of only the oxidant or other non-reactive gases, such as nitrogen, to the temperature control apparatus 348. The temperature control apparatus 348 can be used as a heater to provide additional heat to maintain a required operating temperature of the fuel cell assemblies 350, or to heat the fuel cell 350. 312 electrochemical converter device when starting. In some cases of an electrochemical converter assembly 312, for example, of a power of less than 10 kW, heating may be required to maintain the proper operating temperature of 1000 ° C. Additional methods of regulation include a thermally integrated recovery of the hot outgoing exhaust and the isolation of the electrochemical converter 312 or a part thereof. The reagent processor 346 can reform fuel, typically receiving the fuel and steam as input reagents 326 and 324, respectively, and producing H2OCO, both then entering the fuel cell assembly 350, whereby the reagent processor 346 is find in fluid communication. Other reactions are possible. For example, reagent processor 346 can receive fuel and oxidant and provide H2 and CO, or receive fuel and steam and C02 and produce H2 and CO. The reagent processor 346 may be enclosed to channel the reagent flow 324 and 326 or to control the mixing of reagents and resultants. The reforming agent is typically regulated in proportion to the fuel flow, taking into account agents such as steam flow, 02, or fuel leakage, which consists of H20 and C02. The reagent processor 346 may be positioned outside the pressure vessel 314, as is known in the art or may not be used at all. The fuel cell assembly 350 can receive oxidant 328 and reformed fuel from reagent processor 346 to allow the performance of the electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell assembly 350, while producing electricity, releases heat that can be received by the temperature control apparatus 348. The fuel cell assembly 350 is typically designed to release fuel leaks 315 toward the inner part of the container 314 , and the escape 315 can be collected for recycling in the use of reformation or for other commercial purposes. The fuel cell assembly 350 can also be operated in reverse electrolysis mode to consume electricity and produce fuel species and oxidation species. Reverse electrolysis may require heating of the fuel cell assembly, as for example by the temperature regulating apparatus 348. The fuel cell assembly 350 typically comprises multiple columns of fuel cell stacks, each stack having electrolyte plates or electrochemical processing plates interspersed with thermally conductive plates. The reagent processor 346 may also have stacks which may be positioned interdigitably between the stacks of the fuel cell assembly 350. The stacks of the reagent processor typically comprise chemical processing plates interspersed with thermally conductive plates. Stacks of reagent processors and stacks of fuel cells can be positioned interdigitably in rectangular, hexagon or octagon patterns in order to achieve a regular thermal distribution. With the above arrangement, the stacks of reagent processors 346 and stacks of fuel cells 350 can reach their individual isothermal states in the plane of the conductive plates. Stacks of reagent processors 346 and stacks of fuel cells 350 can also reach their individual isothermal states in the axial direction of the stacks aided by uniform distribution of reagent flows. By combining the two previous techniques, the stacks of fuel cells 350 can reach an isothermal state in the radial direction as well as in the axial direction of the stacks. Stacks of reagent processors, stacks of fuel cells, and stacks of temperature regulation devices near the walls of the container 314 can be connected independently of the internal stacking assemblies, but be maintained at the same operating temperature than the internal arrangements. The pressure vessel 314 encloses at least the fuel cell array 350 and must withstand the maximum pressure for the operation of the electrochemical converter assembly 312. Although the pressures may vary, the typical pressures are within a range of 50 to 500 psi. A cylindrical container, designed to collect the hot exhaust products 315 of the electrochemical converter assembly 312 has designated orifices, such as the orifice 294. As noted, the use of the pressure vessel 314 facilitates the collection of exhaust gases for a efficient extraction of energy. In one example, the container 314 encloses an electrochemical converter assembly 312 that includes a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) of 25 kW as a fuel cell assembly 350 and has an internal diameter of approximately 24 inches and a height of 24 inches, and an external diameter of 34 inches and a height of 36 inches. Feeders 290 292 for reagents, feeder 294 for exhaust and feeder 296 for electricity in the bottom plate are placed, or otherwise placed in the periphery of the enclosure container 314. It will be noted that the invention efficiently achieves the objects raised above , between the apparent ones from the previous description. Since some changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the present invention, the purpose is that all the matter contained in the previous direction or illustrated in the attached drawings is interpreted as illustrative but not limiting. It is also undeod that the following claims cover all the generic and specific features of the invention described herein and all statements regarding the scope of the present invention that may fall within said invention.

Claims (76)

1. CLAIMS An electrochemical converter energy system, comprising a set of electrochemical converters to generate energy, said assembly is adapted to receive input reagents, a pressure vessel placed around said set of electrochemical converters, said pressure vessel collects gases from exhaust generated by said electrochemical converters when said converters are operating, and devices for exhausting said exhaust gases collected from said pressure vessel for external use. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a reagent processor positioned within said pressure vessel and in fluid communication with said set of electrochemical converters. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a reagent processor positioned externally in relation to said pressure vessel and in fluid communication with said set of electrochemical converters. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, wherein said set of electrochemical converters comprises multiple fuel cell elements, each of said fuel cell elements includes electrolyte plates interspersed with thermally conductive plates. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, wherein said set of electrochemical converters comprises a plurality of fuel cell elements, each of said fuel cell elements having a tubular configuration. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said reagent processor comprises a plurality of reagent processor elements, each of said reagent processing elements includes chemical processing plates interspersed with thermally conductive plates. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said set of electrochemical converters comprises a plurality of fuel cell elements in the form of stacks including electrolyte plates interspersed with thermally conductive plates and wherein said reagent processor includes multiple reagent processing elements, said reagent processing elements in the form of stacks having chemical processing plates interspersed with thermally conductive plates. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 7, wherein said stacks of reagent processors are column-shaped and are positioned interdigitably between said stacks of fuel cells. The electrochemical converter power system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said reagent processor elements includes means for achieving a radial isothermal condition, and wherein at least one of said fuel cell elements includes means for achieving a condition isothermal radial. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said reagent processor elements includes a reagent flow device for achieving an isothermal condition in an axial direction, and wherein at least one of said stack elements of fuel includes a reagent flow device to achieve an isothermal condition in an axial direction. The electrochemical converter power system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said fuel cell elements includes devices for reaching a radial isothermal condition and devices for achieving an axial isothermal condition. 12. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said reagent processor elements are positioned interdigitably between said fuel cell elements. 13. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said reagent processor elements and said fuel cell elements are arranged interdigitably in a selected pattern to equalize the distribution of thermal energy between said elements in said pattern, said pattern being selected within a group consisting of a rectangular pattern , a hexagonal pattern and an octagonal pattern. 14. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said pressure vessel includes a wall that limits the internal portion of said pressure vessel, and wherein said reagent processor elements include processor elements located near the wall of said reactor. pressure vessel and elements located away from the wall of said pressure vessel, and wherein said fuel cell elements include fuel cell elements located near the wall and fuel cell elements located away from the wall, said elements of fuel cell and said reagent processor elements located away from the wall are operated independently of said reagent processor elements and said fuel cell elements located near said wall, and wherein said electrochemical converter energy system includes means for operating said fuel cell elements c said container wall and said reagent processor elements near said container wall at approximately the same temperature as said fuel cell elements remote from said container wall and said reagent processor elements remote from said container wall. container. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical converter includes at least one device selected from the group consisting of means for preheating the electrochemical converter, means for preheating an oxidant inlet reagent, means for preheating an fuel inlet reagent, means for preheating a steam inlet reagent, reagent processor means for reforming at least one inlet reagent to produce a resulting agent, means for heating the set of electrochemical converters to maintain a steady state operation of said assembly, means for cooling the electrochemical converter assembly to maintain a constant state operation of said assembly, and means for regulating the temperature of the electrochemical converter. 16. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 15, comprising temperature regulating elements for receiving input reagents including fuel and oxidant reagents for combustion heating said electrochemical converter. 17. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 15, further comprising elements of temperature regulation for receiving a non-combustible input reagent for cooling said electrochemical converter. 18. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 15, further comprising means for regulating the temperature of one of said electrochemical converters in order to maintain a required operating temperature of said set of electrochemical converters. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said reagent processor comprises means for reforming fuel to receive fuel and vapor inlet reagents and to form agents resulting from hydrogen and carbon monoxide from said reagents. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said reagent processor includes means for reforming fuels to receive fuel and oxidant input reagents and to form agents resulting from hydrogen and carbon monoxide from said reagents. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said reagent processor comprises fuel reforming means for receiving fuel, steam and carbon dioxide inlet reagents and for forming resultant agents of hydrogen and carbon monoxide from said reagents. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 2, wherein said reagent processor includes fuel reforming means for receiving input reagents to form a resultant product therefrom, said reagent processor includes at least a stack of reagent processors comprising chemical processor plates interspersed with thermal plates Conductors, said stack of reagent processors has an enclosure for controlling the flow of reagents into said stacking of reagent processors and resulting agents generated by said stacking of reagent processors. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 4, wherein said fuel cell elements are adapted to receive fuel and oxidant reagents to reform said fuel reagent and to generate energy with said fuel cell elements. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 4, further comprising cooling elements adapted to receive the heat generated by said fuel cell elements. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 4, wherein said fuel cell elements generate and release exhaust gases from fuel cells to the internal part of said pressure vessel. The "electrochemical converter" energy system of claim 25, further comprising a means for collecting said exhaust gases from fuel cells for further processing, said additional processing is selected within the group consisting of recycling said exhaust gases for use of energy cogeneration and reforming using said exhaust gases The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 4, further comprising means for operating said fuel cell elements in a reverse electrolysis mode wherein said elements of fuel cells they consume electricity and produce fuel species and oxidation species, heating elements for supplying heat to said fuel cell elements, and said fuel cell elements include receiving means for receiving heat from said heating elements. power converter e The lectrochemical of claim 1, wherein said pressure vessel can withstand up to 1000 psi of internal pressure. 29. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, wherein said pressure vessel is a cylindrical pressure vessel. 30. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further including a heat exchanger element positioned within said pressure vessel for exchanging heat, said heat exchanger element being adapted to exchange heat with said pressure vessel by flowing a heat exchange fluid through said heat exchanger. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 30, wherein said heat exchanger fluid includes at least a first reagent of said inlet reagents, said first inlet reagent flowing through said heat exchanger prior to the introduction of said first reagent to said electrochemical converter. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 30, wherein said pressure vessel is regeneratively cooled by said heat exchanger fluid, said heat exchanger fluid includes an oxidant inlet reagent, such that the temperature of a The outer wall of said pressure vessel is maintained below about 250 ° F. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 30, wherein said heat exchange element includes a heat exchange jacket positioned around said pressure vessel and having a porous wall, and said positive pressure vessel is cooled by transpiration by said heat exchange fluid comprising an oxidant inlet reagent flowing through said porous wall. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 30, wherein said pressure vessel is cooled in a regenerative manner by convective water and steam flowing in said heat exchange element. 35. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 30, wherein said heat exchange fluid comprises an oxidant inlet reagent and said heat exchange fluid is extracted through said heat exchange element by a compressor. 36. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a high temperature thermal insulation positioned adjacent to the wall of said pressure vessel. 37. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, wherein said input reagents include a fuel, a reforming agent and an oxidant. 38. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising means for regulating the flow of a fuel inlet reagent to said set of electrochemical converters in order to produce a selected energy output of said electrochemical converter . 39. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further including a means for regulating the flow of a fuel inlet reagent to said electrochemical converter to maintain a selected operating temperature of said electrochemical converter. 40. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, wherein said input reagents include a reforming agent and a fuel, said energy system further comprising means for regulating the flow of said reforming agents to be proportional to the flow of said fuel entry reagent. 41. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 40, wherein said reforming agent is oxygen. 42. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 40, wherein said reforming agent comprises fuel exhaust generated by said electrochemical converter assembly. 43. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a means for collecting exhaust produced by said electrochemical converter assembly at operating temperature or close to the operating temperature of said assembly and under the pressure e exhaust gases of said assembly or close to said pressure. 44. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a recuperator, and means for introducing exhaust gases produced by said electrochemical converter assembly to said recuperator for preheating said input reagents. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further including a heat exchanger and means for introducing exhaust gases produced by said electrochemical converter assembly to said heat exchanger for energy cogeneration. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a steam boiler and means for introducing exhaust gases produced by said electrochemical converter assembly to said boiler for the generation of steam. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a gas turbine, and means for introducing exhaust gases generated by said electrochemical converter assembly to said gas turbine for the purpose of generating power. The energy system of the electrochemical converter of claim 47, including a recuperator for preheating said inlet reagents with said exhaust gases generated by said electrochemical converter assembly. An electrochemical converter system for use with a bottom device, comprising an electrochemical converter assembly adapted to receive input reagents; a recent positive pressure placed around said electrochemical converter assembly; a heat exchange element positioned in relation to said pressure vessel for exchanging heat therewith, said heat exchange element being in fluid communication with said set of fuel cells to supply input reagents therein; and a blower in fluid communication with said heat exchange element for circulating a heat transfer fluid comprising an inlet reagent through said heat exchange element for transferring heat between said pressure vessel and said inlet reagent before supplying it to said electrochemical converter. 50. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein said blower draws said heat exchange fluid through said heat exchange element. 51. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein said blower blows said heat exchange fluid through said heat exchange element.
2. 2. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein said electrochemical converter assembly includes a plurality of electrolyte plates stacked alternately with interconnection plates. 53. The electrochemical converter system of claim 29, wherein said electrochemical converter includes a fuel reformer for reforming an input reagent. 54. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein said heat exchange element comprises a tubular coil positioned circumferentially around said pressure vessel. 55. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein said heat exchange element comprises a jacket positioned around said pressure vessel. 56. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein the bottom device is a thermally driven cooler. 57. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein the bottom device is a thermal fluid boiler. 58. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein the bottom device is a steam boiler. 59. The electrochemical converter system of claim 49, wherein the bottom device is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system that includes at least one of the following: thermal fluid boiler and thermally driven cooler. An electrochemical converter energy system, comprising an electrochemical converter adapted to receive input reagents, a pressure vessel positioned around and in thermal communication with said converter, said electrochemical converter expels exhaust gases comprising input reagents used to the internal to said pressure vessel, a heat exchange element positioned inside said pressure vessel for exchanging heat therewith, said heat exchange element is adapted to exchange heat at least with said pressure vessel by the flow of a fluid of heat exchange including an input reagent selected through said heat exchanger prior to the introduction of said selected reagent into said electrochemical converter, and a cogeneration bottom device for receiving heated exhaust gases generated by said electrochemical converter or The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 60, wherein said cogeneration bottom device is selected from the group consisting of a thermal fluid boiler, a steam boiler, a heat activated cooler including a steam generator, and a gas turbine. The electrochemical converter system of claim 60, wherein said electrochemical converter is a fuel cell selected from the group consisting of a solid oxide fuel cell, a melted carbonate fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell. , an alkaline fuel cell, and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 60, wherein said system further includes an exhaust means for collecting exhaust gases collected in said pressure vessel at a temperature close to the operating temperature of said electrochemical converter and at a close pressure of the reagents used inside said electrochemical converter, said exhaust means is in fluid communication with said cogeneration means to supply said exhaust gases. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 60, further comprising a recuperator for recovering heat from said exhaust gases for preheating a first reagent of said inlet reagents prior to the introduction of said first reagent into said reagent. electrochemical converter, said recuperator receives said exhaust gases from said exhaust means and supplies said exhaust gases to said cogeneration bottom medium. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 60, further including an extraction pump for extracting said heat exchange fluid through said heat exchange element and for supplying said heat exchange fluid to said electrochemical converter. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 60, wherein said cogeneration device is a gas turbine, and the compressor section of said turbine extracts said heat exchange fluid through said heat exchange element and supplies said heat exchange fluid to said electrochemical convert. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 66, further comprising an electrical generator connected to said gas turbine. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 66, further comprising a recuperator for preheating with the exhaust gases generated by said gas turbine a first input reagent prior to the introduction of said first reagent input to said electrochemical converter. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 1, further comprising a supply for transferring a fluid from the internal part of said pressure vessel to the external portion thereof, said feeder includes a body extending along the length of a longitudinal axis from a first end for connection with the pressure vessel to a second end, said body further includes a first section having an external pressure jacket placed around an insulator having a hole there, a second section that includes an outer insulating jacket placed around an internal pressure tube having an internal lumen, and wherein said first section and said second section are interconnected such that said perforation and said internal lumen are in fluid communication to transfer a fluid from the first end of the feeder towards the second end of the feeder. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 49, further comprising a feeder for transferring a fluid from the inside of said pressure vessel to the external portion thereof, said feeder includes a body extending along a length of longitudinal axis from a first end for connection to the pressure vessel to a second end, said body further includes a first section having an external pressure jacket placed around an insulator having a hole inside, a second section including an outer insulating jacket placed around an internal pressure tube having an internal lumen, and wherein said first section and said second section are interconnected such that said hole and said internal lumen are in fluid communication to transfer a fluid from the first end of the feeder to the second end of the feeder. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 60, further comprising a feeder for transferring a fluid from the internal part of said pressure vessel to the external portion thereof, said feeder includes a body extending along a length of longitudinal axis from a first end for connection with the pressure vessel to a second endsaid body further includes a first section having an external pressure jacket positioned around an insulator having a hole therein, a second section including an external insulating jacket placed around an internal pressure tube having an internal lumen, and wherein said first section and said second section are interconnected in such a manner that said orifice and said internal lumen are in fluid communication to transfer a fluid from the first end of the feeder to the second end of the feeder. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 69, wherein said feeder further comprises a pressure disc positioned between said first section and said second section and attached to said pressure jacket and said pressure tube to form a hermetic seal. A feeder for use with a pressure vessel comprising a body extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis and including a first section having an external pressure jacket placed around an insulator having a hole in it, a second section including an external insulating jacket placed around an internal pressure tube having an internal lumen, and wherein said hole and said internal lumen are in fluid communication to transfer a fluid from a first end of the feeder to the second end of the feeder. 74. The feeder of claim 73, further comprising a pressure disc positioned between said first section and said second section and attached to said pressure jacket and said pressure tube to form a hermetic seal. 75. The electrochemical converter power system of claim 5, wherein said fuel cell elements are adapted to receive fuel and oxidant reagents for reforming said fuel reagent and for generating energy within said fuel cell elements. 76. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 5, further comprising cooling elements adapted to receive the heat generated by said fuel cell elements. The electrochemical converter power system of claim 5, wherein said fuel cell elements generate and release fuel cell exhaust gases to the outside of said pressure vessel. The electrochemical converter energy system of claim 5, further comprising means for operating said fuel cell elements in a reverse electrolysis mode wherein said fuel cell elements consume electricity and produce fuel types and oxidation types, elements of heating to supply heat to said fuel cell elements, and said fuel cell elements include receiving means for receiving heat from said heating elements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electrochemical converter is placed inside a pressure vessel that collects hot exhaust gases generated by the converter for supply to a co-generation bottom device, such as a gas turbine. The bottom device draws energy from the waste heat generated by the converter such as, for example, a fuel cell for the generation of electricity, providing an energy system of improved efficiency. The bottom devices may include, for example, a gas turbine system or a heating, ventilation or cooling (HVAC) system. The pressure vessel may include a heat exchanger such as, for example, a cooling jacket for cooling the pressure vessel and / or preheating an input reagent to the electrochemical converter prior to the introduction of the reagent into the converter. In one embodiment, a compressor of a gas turbine system assembly extracts an inlet reagent through the pressure vessel heat exchanger and supplies the reactant under pressure to a fuel cell enclosed therein. The exhaust gases from the fuel cell under pressure and heated are collected by the pressure vessel and supplied to the turbine system expander. The fuel cell and the pressure vessel function as the combustion chamber of the gas turbine assembly. The expander can perform mechanical work, or it can be coupled to a generator to provide electric power in addition to that provided by the fuel cell. A feeder is also present to transfer a fluid, such as exhaust gases or an inlet reagent, from the outside of the pressure vessel to the inside of the pressure vessel.