Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a synthesis gas suitable for feeding to a suitable hydrocarbon production reactor, such as a Fischer Tropsch reactor is described. According to one aspect, the process and apparatus utilize heat exchangers that thermally integrate the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, e.g., combustion, are arranged closely to the heat sinks, e.g., cool methane, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermal integration eliminates excess piping throughout, reduces initial capital and operating costs, provides built-in passive temperature control, and improves synthesis gas production efficiencies.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a synthesis gas suitable for feeding to a suitable hydrocarbon production reactor, such as a Fischer Tropsch reactor is described. According to one aspect, the process and apparatus utilize heat exchangers that thermally integrate the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, e.g., combustion, are arranged closely to the heat sinks, e.g., cool methane, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermal integration eliminates excess piping throughout, reduces initial capital and operating costs, provides built-in passive temperature control, and improves synthesis gas production efficiencies.

Abstract: A process for preparation of synthesis gas and/or hydrogen by counter-currently providing an oxidation reactant stream through an oxidation chamber and a reforming reactant stream through a steam reforming chamber is described. Also provided is a reactor for conducting the reaction.

Abstract: A process for preparation of a synthesis gas and/or hydrogen by concurrently providing an oxidation reactant stream through an oxidation chamber and a reforming reactant stream through a steam, reforming chamber is described. Also provided is a reactor for conducting the reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rapidly heating one or more reactants for use in a fuel reformer. The apparatus includes a combustion section having an outer wall enclosing a combustion chamber and a catalyst disposed within the combustion chamber. A heat recovery section is in fluid communication with the combustion section and has an outer wall defining a heat recovery chamber. At least one heat exchanging element is located within the heat recovery chamber having an inlet for receiving a fuel reforming reactant and an outlet for directing a heated reactant out of the heat recovery section. The combustion section is elevated relative to the heat recovery section such that heated combustion gases are displaced down into the heat recovery section. The housing has an internal diameter of less than about 10 inches, or alternatively, has a length and a diameter in a ratio of between about 7:1 and about 4:1.

Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.

Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly heating one or more reactants for use in a fuel reformer. The apparatus includes a combustion section having an outer wall enclosing a combustion chamber and a catalyst disposed within the combustion chamber. The catalyst provides a non-diffused flow path through the combustion chamber for the combustion of gases and generation of heat and passage of such gases and heat from the combustion chamber. A heat recovery section is in fluid communication with the combustion section and has an outer wall defining a heat recovery chamber. At least one heat exchanging element is located within the heat recovery chamber having an inlet for receiving a fuel reforming reactant and an outlet for directing a heated reactant out of the heat recovery section. The combustion section is elevated relative to the heat recovery section such that heated combustion gases are displaced down into the heat recovery section.