Abstract: Pressurization air systems in a multimodule fuel cell power plant are interconnected to provide improved power plant operating efficiency at part load. Each power generation module air pressurization subsystem has its own turbocompressor to provide a compressed air supply to its own power generation subsystem at rated power plant load. When load demand on the power plant is reduced, some of the turbocompressors in the interconnected power generation modules in the plant are shut off. The interconnecting valves are opened so that the remaining turbocompressors can supply all of the compressed air needed by all of the power generation subsystems in the interconnected power generation modules.

Abstract: Compact reaction apparatus, such as apparatus for steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock to produce hydrogen, comprises a plurality of tubular reactors vertically disposed and closely packed within a furnace. The furnace is divided into an enhanced heat transfer portion and a burner cavity. Each of the several reactors is disposed partly within the burner cavity and partly within the enhanced heat transfer portion. Heat transfer means, such as particles of a heat transfer packing material, is disposed within the enhanced heat transfer portion of the furnace and is constructed and arranged to provide substantially uniform and enhanced conductive, convective, and radiant heating of that portion of the reactors disposed within the heat transfer portion.

Abstract: A catalytic reaction apparatus, such as for steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock to produce hydrogen, includes a tubular reactor disposed within a furnace. The reactor includes an annular reaction chamber which is heated along its outer wall by a countercurrent flow of furnace gases traveling through a narrow annulus external thereof. The reaction chamber is also heated along its inner wall by regenerative heat from the reaction products which leave the annular chamber and flow countercurrent to the flow within the reaction chamber through a narrow annulus disposed along the inner wall thereof. This apparatus is capable of high reactor thermal efficiency over a wide range of heating rates, including very high heating rates. The apparatus is very compact and is particularly suited for use with a large number of closely packed tubular reactors disposed within a single furnace.