Hydrogen generation via methane cracking for integrated heat and electricity production using a fuel cell

The present invention relates to a novel apparatus and process for providing integrated heat and electricity needs for a building or residence using a fuel cell. Hydrogen production for consumption in the fuel cell (i.e. fuel processing) is based on the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons (e.g. methane), followed by the regeneration of the resulting coked cracking catalyst using either oxygen or steam. The high temperature effluent gas from this regeneration step is useful in residential heating and even cooling applications if sorption cooling is incorporated. A novel integrated system for the co-production of heat and electricity for residences or commercial buildings is based on the cracking of hydrocarbons to generate hydrogen for a fuel cell. Compared to prior art reforming methods for hydrogen production, the cracking reaction provides an input stream to the fuel cell that is essentially free of CO, a known poison to the anode catalyst in many fuel cell designs, such as PEM fuel cells. The cracking reaction is coupled with an air or steam regeneration cycle to reactivate that cracking catalyst for further use. This regeneration can provide a valuable source of heat or furnace fuel to the system. A novel control method for system adjusts the durations of the cracking and regeneration cycles to optimize the recovery of reaction heat.