The highly efficient integrated plasma fuel cell (IPEC) energy cycle for conversion of fossil and biomass fuels to electric power generation and hydrogen and liquid transportation fuel production with reduced or zero CO2 emission

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the application of highly efficient integrated plasma fuel cell (IPFC) as a co-producer of electricity and hydrogen and/or transportation fuel. The basic concept is the integration of the hydrogen plasma black reactor (HPBR) with the direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC). The IPFC is a high-efficiency energy cycle, which converts fossil and biomass fuel to electricity and co-product hydrogen and liquid transportation fuels (gasoline and diesel). The cycle consists of two basic units, HPBR which converts the carbonaceous fuel feedstock to elemental carbon and hydrogen and CO gas. The carbon is used as fuel in a DCFC, which generates electricity, a small part of which is used to power the plasma reactor. Preliminary economic estimates indicate that IPFC plants can produce electricity and hydrogen or transportation fuels at a significantly lower cost than conventional steam and combined cycle plants. Furthermore, production of two co-products (gasoline and diesel) permits adjusting the sale price of electricity upwards to meet current market price.