Abstract: Disclosed are methods for operating a glass furnace, the method comprises the steps of feeding a non-pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream to a pre-reformer forming a pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream, feeding the pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream to burners of the furnace, combusting oxidant and the pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas with the burners to produce flue gas, heating air through heat exchange with the flue gas at a recuperator, and transferring heat from heated air to pre-reformer tubes of the pre-reformer. A glass furnace system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen generation system and method for using the same are provided. The system includes an HDS unit configured to remove sulfur, a first and second pre-reformers configured to pre-reform a process gas and fuel gas, respectively, a first and second heat exchangers configured to dry and heat the pre-reformed fuel gas, respectively, and a reformer configured to produce a syngas and flue gas. The method includes using a process stream selected from the group consisting of air, PSA off-gas, hydrocarbon gas, and combinations thereof to dry the fuel gas and using a process stream selected from the group consisting of the flue gas, the syngas, and combinations thereof to heat the dry fuel gas. The second pre-reformer is a low-pressure pre-reformer, so that the heat contents of the fuel gas is increased through converting heavy hydrocarbons in the fuel gas to CO and H2 by the second pre-reformer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for operating a glass furnace, the method comprises the steps of feeding a non-pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream to a pre-reformer forming a pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream, feeding the pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream to burners of the furnace, combusting oxidant and the pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas with the burners to produce flue gas, heating air through heat exchange with the flue gas at a recuperator, and transferring heat from heated air to pre-reformer tubes of the pre-reformer. A glass furnace system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen generation system and method for using the same are provided. The system includes an HDS unit configured to remove sulfur, a first and second pre-reformers configured to pre-reform a process gas and fuel gas, respectively, a first and second heat exchangers configured to dry and heat the pre-reformed fuel gas, respectively, and a reformer configured to produce a syngas and flue gas. The method includes using a process stream selected from the group consisting of air, PSA off-gas, hydrocarbon gas, and combinations thereof to dry the fuel gas and using a process stream selected from the group consisting of the flue gas, the syngas, and combinations thereof to heat the dry fuel gas. The second pre-reformer is a low-pressure pre-reformer, so that the heat contents of the fuel gas is increased through converting heavy hydrocarbons in the fuel gas to CO and H2 by the second pre-reformer.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen generation system and method for using the same are provided. The system includes an HDS unit configured to remove sulfur from a process gas and a fuel gas, a pre-reformer configured to convert heavy hydrocarbons in the process gas and the fuel gas to methane, a first heat exchanger configured to dry the pre-reformed fuel gas, a second heat exchanger configured to heat the dry pre-reformed fuel gas, and a reformer configured to produce a syngas and flue gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for decreasing steam methane reformer (SMR) tube temperature is provided. The apparatus can include an SMR furnace, a monitoring system in communication with the SMR furnace and a water source in fluid communication with the SMR furnace. The SMR furnace includes a plurality of SMR tubes disposed within the SMR furnace. The monitoring system is configured to monitor the temperature of at least a plurality of SMR tubes and compare the temperature against a first predetermined value, and the water source is configured to introduce water to an SMR tube that has a temperature above the first predetermined value, such that the temperature of the SMR tube is reduced.

Abstract: A method for decreasing steam methane reformer (SMR) tube temperature is provided. The method can include the steps of introducing a hydrocarbon containing feed to be reformed to a plurality of SMR tubes in the presence of steam under conditions effective to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, monitoring the temperature of at least a plurality of the tubes within the SMR during operation, comparing the monitored temperature against a first predetermined value, and introducing an effective amount of water to a reformer tube when the monitored temperature of the reformer tube is at or above the predetermined value, such that the temperature of the reformer tube is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for decreasing steam methane reformer (SMR) tube temperature is provided. The apparatus can include an SMR furnace, a monitoring system in communication with the SMR furnace and a water source in fluid communication with the SMR furnace. The SMR furnace includes a plurality of SMR tubes disposed within the SMR furnace. The monitoring system is configured to monitor the temperature of at least a plurality of SMR tubes and compare the temperature against a first predetermined value, and the water source is configured to introduce water to an SMR tube that has a temperature above the first predetermined value, such that the temperature of the SMR tube is reduced.

Abstract: A method for decreasing steam methane reformer (SMR) tube temperature is provided. The method can include the steps of introducing a hydrocarbon containing feed to be reformed to a plurality of SMR tubes in the presence of steam under conditions effective to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, monitoring the temperature of at least a plurality of the tubes within the SMR during operation, comparing the monitored temperature against a first predetermined value, and introducing an effective amount of water to a reformer tube when the monitored temperature of the reformer tube is at or above the predetermined value, such that the temperature of the reformer tube is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention a catalyst that includes a metallic or ceramic foam catalyst support having surfaces within the foam for the placement of a catalytic material, and an active catalyst material which is applied by washcoating or dipping.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating heat energy includes injecting a stream having a concentration of at least 50% oxygen (O2 stream) into a primary gas stream through a mixer, the mixer discharging the O2 stream as two or more spaced jets traversing the primary stream, thereby enriching the primary gas stream. The method further includes mixing fuel with the enriched primary gas stream, thereby forming a fuel stream; and combusting the fuel stream, thereby forming a flue gas stream.

Abstract: An improved reactor tube which includes a reactor tube, wherein the reactor tube is at least partially filled with at least one porous media catalyst, and at least one shape memory alloy element located within the reactor tube, wherein; at a first temperature, the shape memory alloy element has a first configuration, at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy element has a second configuration is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected into the recirculated exhaust gas to achieve the desired effective oxygen concentration.

Abstract: An improved reactor tube which includes a reactor tube, wherein the reactor tube is at least partially filled with at least one porous media catalyst, and at least one shape memory alloy element located within the reactor tube, wherein; at a first temperature, the shape memory alloy element has a first configuration, at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy element has a second configuration is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating heat energy includes injecting a stream having a concentration of at least 50% oxygen (O2 stream) into a primary gas stream through a mixer, the mixer discharging the O2 stream as two or more spaced jets traversing the primary stream, thereby enriching the primary gas stream. The method further includes mixing fuel with the enriched primary gas stream, thereby forming a fuel stream; and combusting the fuel stream, thereby forming a flue gas stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating heat energy includes injecting a stream having a concentration of at least 50% oxygen (O2 stream) into a primary gas stream through a mixer, the mixer discharging the O2 stream as two or more spaced jets traversing the primary stream, thereby enriching the primary gas stream. The method further includes mixing fuel with the enriched primary gas stream, thereby forming a fuel stream; and combusting the fuel stream, thereby forming a flue gas stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected into the recirculated exhaust gas to achieve the desired effective oxygen concentration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected into the recirculated exhaust gas to achieve the desired effective oxygen concentration.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved combustion of oxygen and a mixture of a non-gaseous fuel, which includes providing: 1) a source of a mixture of non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 2) a source of oxygen; 3) a burner operatively associated with a combustion chamber; 4) a fuel duct in fluid communication with the source of mixed non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 5) a tubular oxygen lance fluidly communicating with the source of oxygen; and 6) at least two injection elements in fluid communication with the source of oxygen. The fuel duct includes a portion that extends along an axis towards the burner. The lance is disposed along the axis and has a diameter D. The injection elements are configured to inject oxygen into, and mix therewith, a flow of the mixture upstream of, or at, the burner. At least one of the injection elements receives oxygen from the lance. The injection elements are spaced apart by a distance X, which is greater than the length of diameter D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-metallic catalyst compositions for improved coke resistance in a hydrocarbon feed pre-reformer unit that comprises nickel and an enhancing component selected from at least one member of the group consisting of ruthenium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, cobalt, gold and silver on a support. The present invention further relates to a catalyst system for improved coke and sulfur resistance in a hydrocarbon feed pre-reformer unit that comprises at least one multi-metallic catalyst composition comprising nickel and an enhancing component selected from at least one member of the group consisting of ruthenium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, cobalt, gold and silver on a support used in conjunction with at least one sulfur capturing component selected from the group comprising copper oxide and zinc oxide. Finally the present invention relates to the use of this catalyst system in a process for pre-reforming a hydrocarbon feed stream.