Abstract: Process for carrying out non-adiabatic reactions comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen in an energy efficient manner wherein steam and methane are reacted to produce synthesis gas from which hydrogen is recovered, and heat employed in the process is recovered using a defined regenerative bed system.

Abstract: An operational cycle for a fuel processor capable of reforming a fuel, the operational cycle is disclosed. The operational cycle includes: an off state; a manager check state entered into from the off state, and in which the operational readiness of the fuel processor is checked; a preheat state entered into from the manager check state, and in which the fuel processor preheats gases, including the fuel, for mixing into a process feed stream; a startup state entered into from the preheat state, and in which the fuel processor begins operating under start-up conditions; a run state entered into from the startup state, and in which the fuel processor reforms the process feed stream into a reformate under steady-state conditions; and a shutdown state entered into any one of the manager check state, preheat state, startup state, and run state. The operational cycle may be employed in a fuel processor for a fuel cell or a fuel cell power plant.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide rich gas by catalytic steam reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising steps of: (a) optionally passing a process gas of hydrocarbon feedstock through a first reactor with a steam reforming catalyst heated by a hot gas stream; (b) passing the effluent from the first reactor to a subsequent tubular reactor containing a steam reforming catalyst and being heated by burning of fuel, thereby obtaining a hot gas stream of steam reformed product gas and a hot gas stream of flue gas; and wherein a reforming catalyst is placed on a metallic support having substantially the same shape as a wall of the reactor and being arranged in heat conduction relationship with the reactor wall.

Abstract: In a system for generating hydrogen gas by reforming raw material, steam is continuously supplied while the supply of raw material and air to a reforming unit is stopped, so as to purge residual flammable material within the system with steam such that even if oxygen is supplied, heat generated by a reaction between the residual flammable material within the system and the oxygen does not effect the system, and the steam is removed from the system by air purging so as to prevent adverse effects from condensation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell for reacting a hydrogen rich gas; a fuel processor system for converting a hydrocarbon fuel-steam mixture into said hydrogen rich gas; and a system for preparing the hydrocarbon fuel-steam mixture which includes (a) structure for superheating a hydrocarbon fuel so as to provide a superheated fuel, and (b) structure for mixing water with the superheated fuel so as to provide the hydrocarbon fuel-steam mixture.

Abstract: Process and plant for the production of synthesis gas, hydrogen and/or reducing gas by means of a primary reformer heated on the shell side, used in conjunction with a pressure swing adsorption unit for purifying the product gas, the purpose of which is to find a solution to the problem of utilising the work potential of the fuel gas from the pressure swing adsorption unit, which is used to fire the primary gas reformer. This is achieved by supplying the waste desorption gas from the pressure swing adsorption unit to the inlet side of an ejector, which is driven by a part stream of the fuel gas for the primary reformer, the waste desorption gas being admixed to a main fuel gas stream and/or a regulating gas stream, depending on the particular mode of operation.

Abstract: A gas generating system for a fuel cell system as well as to a method of operating same. In order to provide hydrogen-containing combustible gas as rapidly as possible and to reduce the exhaust gas emissions, for the start of the operation of the gas generating system, at least one catalytic burner is started and the generated heat is used for evaporating a combustion agent and/or water and for the heating-up of an additionally connected partial reforming unit or partial oxidation stage in order to generate a hydrogen-containing gas for the fuel cell unit by reforming or partial oxidation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by a combination of catalytic partial oxidation and further an autothermal reforming process, comprising (a) providing separate streams of predetermined proportions of a hydrocarbon feedstock, an oxygen source and of process steam, (b) injecting said separate streams into a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone to react, and to form a prereformed product stream, (c) introducing the prereformed product and a predetermined proportion of a second oxygen source into a further partial oxidation process step forming a further partially oxidised process stream by flame reactions, (d) reacting the further partially oxidised process stream in the reaction zone constituting a steam reforming process step to form a synthesis gas product stream, and (e) withdrawing the synthesis gas product stream from the further partial oxidation process step and the steam reforming process step, the two steps constituting the autothermal

Abstract: Process for carrying out non-adiabatic reactions comprising the steps of: introducing in parallel a first stream of reactants into a first reaction space and a second stream of reactants into a second reaction space; at reaction conditions contacting the first reactant stream with a catalyst in the first reaction space in indirect heat exchange with a heat exchanging medium and contacting the second reactant stream with a catalyst in the second reaction space in indirect heat exchange with a heat exchanging medium, and withdrawing a first and second steam reformed product gas; and the catalyst in the first reaction space being arranged within a tubular reactor in indirect heat exchanging relationship with the heat exchanging medium by introducing the medium into tubular heat exchange space concentrically surrounding the tubular reactor with the first reaction space, the catalyst in the second reaction space being arranged on shell side of a heat exchange space in indirect heat exchanging relationship with

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst and a process for autothermal catalytic steam reforming of hydrocarbons using the catalyst. The catalyst has a multilayer structure and contains a lower catalyst layer lying directly on a support and an upper catalyst layer lying on the lower catalyst layer, in which the lower catalyst layer preferentially catalyzes partial oxidation and the upper catalyst layer preferentially catalyzes steam reforming. Each catalyst layer contains at least one platinum group metal on an oxide support material. The process is operated adiabatically by passing a starting mixture of the hydrocarbons, oxygen and water or steam, heated to a preheat temperature, over the multilayer catalyst. The catalyst and process are used to generate hydrogen-containing fuel gases for fuel cells in reformer systems.

Abstract: A method of producing a H2 rich gas stream includes supplying an O2 rich gas, steam, and fuel to an inner reforming zone of a fuel processor that includes a partial oxidation catalyst and a steam reforming catalyst or a combined partial oxidation and stream reforming catalyst. The method also includes contacting the O2 rich gas, steam, and fuel with the partial oxidation catalyst and the steam reforming catalyst or the combined partial oxidation and stream reforming catalyst in the inner reforming zone to generate a hot reformate stream. The method still further includes cooling the hot reformate stream in a cooling zone to produce a cooled reformate stream. Additionally, the method includes removing sulfur-containing compounds from the cooled reformate stream by contacting the cooled reformate stream with a sulfur removal agent.

Abstract: Recycling a portion of autothermal reformer effluent into the steam-hydrocarbon feed stream with a thermo-compressor ejector is disclosed, using the preheated feed mixture as motive fluid. Syngas recycle-motive fluid molar ratios are 0.2-1.0, selected to optimize the overall configuration. The recycle introduces hydrogen and steam into the feed, and elevates the feed temperature, for operating the reformer in a soot-free regime. There is some pressure drop between the raw feed steam-natural gas mixture and the reformer feed, which requires the raw feed mixture to be supplied at a higher pressure, but this is offset by the lower pressure drop in the process heater and other upstream and downstream equipment due to lower quantities of steam. The feed pre-heater can have a lower duty, and the upstream and downstream equipment can be reduced in size, while the size of the autothermal reformer is about the same compared to the size needed for operation without effluent recycle.

Abstract: A compact autothermal (partial oxidation and steam reforming) fuel reactor is provided for implementation with a fuel cell system. The reactor includes a premixing chamber for premixing a volume of air, steam and fuel into an effluent, a thermal POX reactor, a first stage reforming segment, a post-premix chamber, and a second stage reforming segment. Further provided are a water/fuel vaporizer for supplying steam and fuel as a gas to the premix chamber and an airflow cavity disposed about the reactor for pre-heating air supplied to the premix chamber. The thermal POX segment operates during an initial start-up period for pre-heating the other components of the reactor. Once the other components achieve an operation temperature, the first and second stage reforming segments catalytically reform the effluent. The premix and post-premix chambers enable variance in the O/C and S/C ratios to be achieved as the effluent is reformed through the multiple stages.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sulfur tolerant, dynamic, compact, lightweight fuel process and system that is capable of converting sulfur bearing carbonaceous fuels to hydrogen rich gases suitable for fuel cells or chemical processing applications. The process and system is based on the AHR and WGS reactions, followed by cleanup of byproduct sulfur-containing gases and carbon oxides that would otherwise poison the fuel cell electrocatalyst. Advantageously, this is accomplished via an ASMS and a methanator or an AWMR. The process and system preferably uses a special sulfur tolerant catalysts and hardware designs that enable the conversion in an energy efficient manner while maintaining desirable performance characteristics such as rapid start-stop and fast response to load change capabilities.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a hydrogen and/or carbonmonoxide rich gas comprising the step of partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen containing reactant stream in presence of steam, wherein the steam is present in the hydrocarbon feedstock in an amount higher than in the oxygen containing reactant stream.

Abstract: A method is provided to inject liquid water into the normal stream of fuel, superheated air and superheated steam entering a primary reactor of a fuel processor. The injection location is in the steam supply line where superheated steam vaporizes a majority of the liquid water, preferably prior to injection into the primary reactor. Steam supplied by a vaporizer may temporarily lag desired steam production due to system up-power transients or startup conditions, coupled with vaporizer thermal lag time. Injection of liquid water overcomes this temporary deficit of steam. Additional air is also supplied as needed to improve reactance for a given steam volume/temperature. Injection rate or volume of the liquid water and air may also be based on one or more measured variables of the primary reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing synthesis gas comprising the steps of reacting a hydrogen-containing stream with an oxygen-containing stream and producing an oxidized stream comprising water; contacting a feedstream comprising hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon comprising at least one atom of oxygen with the oxidized stream comprising water and forming a reforming feedstream; and passing the reforming feedstream into a reforming reaction zone at reforming reaction conditions and producing a synthesis gas product.

Abstract: Reactors and processes are disclosed that can utilize high heat fluxes to obtain fast, steady-state reaction rates. Porous catalysts used in conjunction with microchannel reactors to obtain high rates of heat transfer are also disclosed. Reactors and processes that utilize short contact times, high heat flux and low pressure drop are described. Improved methods of steam reforming are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst suitably employed in a variety of hydrocarbon reforming processes and a hydrocarbon reforming process including employing the catalyst in production of hydrogen or synthesis gas. The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of the present invention contains an alumina carrier containing cerium oxide and, carried on the carrier, component (a), component (b), and optional component (c), the component (a) being at least one platinum group element selected from among ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, palladium, and iridium; the component (b) being cobalt and/or nickel, the component (c) being an alkaline earth metal. When steam reforming, autothermal reforming, partial-oxidation reforming, or carbon dioxide reforming of hydrocarbons is performed through employment of the catalyst, hydrogen or synthesis gas can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides chemical reactors and reaction chambers and methods for conducting catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. In preferred embodiments, these reaction chambers and methods include at least one porous catalyst material that has pore sizes large enough to permit molecular diffusion within the porous catalyst material.

Abstract: A gas generator for generating a hydrogen-rich carbon-monoxide-lean gas from a water-fuel mixture by catalytic steam reforming and/or from an oxygen-fuel mixture by partial oxidation includes at least one fuel reservoir vessel; a reforming reactor; a CO shift reactor; a gas purifying unit; and a line to feed water from a water reservoir vessel into the reformate gas stream fed to the CO shift reactor. The water reservoir vessel contains a water-methanol mixture having a mixing ratio effective to ensure adequate frost protection.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced though a cyclic method where the first step of the cycle includes reforming a hydrocarbon feed over a catalyst to synthesis gas in a first zone of a bed and the second step reheats this first zone. A hydrocarbon feed is introduced to a bed along with CO2 and optionally steam where it is reformed into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is collected at a second zone of the bed and an oxygen-containing gas is then introduced to this second zone of the bed and combusted with a fuel, thereby reheating the first zone to sufficient reforming temperatures. Additionally, a non-combusting gas can also be introduced to the second zone to move heat from the second zone to the first zone.

Abstract: A homogeneous ceria-based mixed-metal oxide, useful as a catalyst support, a co-catalyst and/or a getter has a relatively large surface area per weight, typically exceeding 150 m2/g, a structure of nanocrystallites having diameters of less than 4 nm, and including pores larger than the nanocrystallites and having diameters in the range of 4 to about 9 nm. The ratio of pore volumes, VP, to skeletal structure volumes, VS, is typically less than about 2.5, and the surface area per unit volume of the oxide material is greater than 320 m2/cm3, for low internal mass transfer resistance and large effective surface area for reaction activity. The mixed metal oxide is ceria-based, includes Zr and or Hf, and is made by a novel co-precipitation process. A highly dispersed catalyst metal, typically a noble metal such as Pt, may be loaded on to the mixed metal oxide support from a catalyst metal-containing solution following a selected acid surface treatment of the oxide support.

Abstract: The invention constructs a system which vaporizes a liquid raw material in a vaporizing section and steam-reforms the vaporized raw material in a reforming section to generate hydrogen. A pressure regulating valve for regulating the pressure in the vaporizing section is disposed at anywhere from the vaporizing section to downstream of the reforming section. When a hydrogen requirement is increased, the pressure regulating valve is controlled to decrease the pressure in the vaporizing section. The pressure reduction makes it possible to promote vaporization in the vaporizing section such that the rate of generation of steam can be improved. Moreover, during start-up of the system, the control mode is changed to open the pressure regulating valve, thereby limiting the rate of increase in pressure just after the generation of reformed gas has started.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide in a reformate stream comprising the steps of passing a fuel stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide into a reaction chamber wherein the reaction chamber contains an effective amount of at least one catalyst to promote oxidation of said carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide; supplying an oxygen-containing stream into said reaction chamber; and periodically interrupting the flow of said oxygen-containing stream into said reaction chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, the oxygen-containing stream is interrupted for a predetermined duration of time. In general, it was found that more frequent short interruptions of the oxygen flow produced a consistently lower carbon monoxide level than less frequent longer interruptions. The interruption in oxygen flow may also be triggered upon an increase in carbon monoxide concentration within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A reformer disposed in the flow path of a reactant fluid includes: a catalyst unit capable of generating hydrogen from a reactant fluid containing an organic compound or carbon monoxide, by catalysis, and an electrically heatable heater unit. An electrically heatable catalyst unit includes: any of a sintered material, a metallic material, a composite material thereof, at least a portion of each of these materials having an electrically heatable property, and a composite material of (1) a heat-resistant material having no electrically heatable property and (2) the sintered material and/or the metallic material, and a catalyst capable of generating hydrogen from a reactant fluid containing an organic compound or carbon monoxide, by catalysis, which catalyst unit has porosity, thereby enables diffusion of a reactant fluid therethrough, and is electrically heatable. The above reformer can generate high-purity hydrogen for use in fuel cell of industrial or automotive application, in a short time.

Abstract: In a fuel processor based on autothermal cyclic reforming process, the fuel processor having a reformer, the reformer having two reactors with integrated heat exchangers, the two reactors cycling between a reforming step and a regeneration step, a method of generating hydrogen gas includes receiving a mixture of fuel and steam in the reformer reactor operating in a reforming step to produce hydrogen-rich reformate gas. The fuel is delivered from a fuel supply and the steam is generated by a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The reformate gas is fed to a shift reactor to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) gas present in the reformate gas. Product gas generated by the shift reactor is received in a condenser to recover heat from the product gas. In one embodiment output gas stream from the condenser is supplied to a CO oxidizer to further reduce the CO concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of steam reforming a hydrocarbon over a spinel-containing catalyst at short residence times or short contact times. The present invention also provides spinel-containing catalysts. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the catalytic production of a hydrogen feed by exposing a hydrogen feed to a catalyst which promotes a base-catalyzed water-gas-shift reaction in a liquid phase. The hydrogen feed can be provided by any process known in the art of making hydrogen gas. It is preferably provided by a process that can produce a hydrogen feed for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The step of exposing the hydrogen feed takes place preferably from about 80° C. to about 150° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor, which includes: a unitary shell assembly having an inlet and an outlet; a flow path extending within the shell assembly from the inlet to the outlet, the flow path having a steam reformer section with a first catalyst and a water gas shift reactor section with a second catalyst, the steam reformer section being located upstream of the water gas shift reactor section; a heating section within the shell assembly and configured to heat the steam reformer section; and a cooling section within the shell assembly and configured to cool the water gas shift reactor section. The present invention also provides a simplified hydrogen production system, which includes the catalytic steam reforming and subsequent high temperature water gas shift of low-sulfur (<100 ppm by mass) hydrocarbon fuels followed by hydrogen purification through the pressure swing adsorption (PSA).

Abstract: A reactor/purifier for generating pure hydrogen in a stack or array of pairs of alternatingly connected high and low pressure reactor chambers wherein a gas-porous turbulence-promoting screen structure washcoated with a steam-reforming catalyst is sandwiched between a planar hydrogen-selective palladium alloy membrane and a planar gas-impermeable heat-conducting metal plate within the high pressure reactor chamber of each high pressure reactor chamber; and wherein the catalyst-coated structure in each high pressure chamber is reacted with steam and hydrocarbon fuel, such as methane or syn/gas, and/or carbon monoxide at an appropriately controlled temperature of between about 200° C. to 650° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled staged rich combustion throughout a fuel processing system in order to improve start up performance. Multiple stages of air injection are used to burn rich combustion products within each component to provide direct heating thereof. During the start up cycle, the fluid temperature entering each reactor is increased and each component is heated to its operating temperature in parallel. The controlled staged rich combustion eliminates the load imposed upon a combustor within the system during the start up cycle. Thus, each of the components within the fuel processing system may be optimized for an operational mode rather than a start up mode.

Abstract: A method of reforming a feed gas comprising natural gas and/or a prereformed natural gas, water vapour and an oxygen-containing gas in an autothermal reactor, characterised in that by the feed gas is first passed through a catalyst free zone in the reactor, in which zone the feed gas is partially combusted in an exothermic oxidation reaction and partially reformed, that the hot, partially combusted and reformed gas is led further through a catalyst bed for further reforming, so as to form a reformed gas stream, and that the reformed gas stream is separated into a first stream primarily containing H2 and a second, low hydrogen stream primarily containing CO2, water vapour and CO, any inert gases and some unconverted feed gas, by means of a membrane in the catalyst bed, which membrane is permeable to hydrogen. A reactor for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: Reactors and processes are disclosed that can utilize high heat fluxes to obtain fast, steady-state reaction rates. Porous catalysts used in conjunction with microchannel reactors to obtain high rates of heat transfer are also disclosed. Reactors and processes that utilize short contact times, high heat flux and low pressure drop are described. Improved methods of steam reforming are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel processing system is disclosed. The system includes a steam reformer adapted to produce hydrogen from a feedstock consisting of water and at least one of an alcohol and a hydrocarbon feedstock. The feedstock is exposed to one or more reformation regions including a reformation catalyst and to a membrane region including at least one hydrogen-selective membrane.

Abstract: A fuel processing system is operative to remove substantially all of the sulfur present in a logistic fuel stock supply. The fuel stock can be gasoline, diesel fuel, or other like fuels which contain relatively high levels of organic sulfur compounds such as mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, and the like. The system is a part of a fuel cell power plant. The fuel stock supply is fed through a reformer where the fuel is converted to a hydrogen rich fuel which contains hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide-containg reformer exhaust is passed through a sulfur scrubber, to which is added a small quantity of air, which scrubber removes substantially all of the sulfur in the exhaust stream by means of the Claus reaction. The desulfurizing step causes sulfur to deposit on the scrubber bed, which after a period of time, will prevent further sulfur from being removed from the reformer exhaust stream.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus has

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel reforming processor having a catalyst therein constructed and arranged to produce a reformate stream including hydrogen and carbon monoxide, a water gas shift reactor downstream of the fuel reforming processor and wherein the water gas shift reactor includes a catalyst therein constructed and arranged to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide in the reformate stream, a preferential oxidation reactor downstream of the water gas shift reactor and wherein the preferential oxidation reactor includes a catalyst therein constructed and arranged to preferentially oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and to produce a hydrogen-rich stream, and a fuel cell stack downstream of the preferential oxidation reactor constructed and arranged to produce electricity from the hydrogen-rich stream, a first direct water vaporizing combustor constructed and arranged to combust fuel producing a high-temperature fuel combustion byproducts exhaust and to produce steam from water sprayed into th

Abstract: A fuel reforming method includes the step of supplying carbon-containing fuel and steam to a reactor filled with a fuel reforming catalyst and a CO2 absorbent and discharging CO2, and setting the absorbent at an absorption temperature, thereby converting the carbon-containing fuel into reformed fuel, and separating CO2 from the reformed fuel, the step of obtaining a product gas by oxidizing a portion of the reformed fuel and/or the carbon-containing fuel with an oxidizer, and heating the absorbent with this product gas to a regeneration temperature, thereby regenerating the absorbent and storing heat in this absorbent, and the step of supplying the carbon-containing fuel and steam to the reactor, thereby cooling, to the absorption temperature, the absorbent heated to the regeneration temperature, and converting the carbon-containing fuel into reformed fuel by heat energy stored in the CO2 absorbent. An apparatus for the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to shaped bodies containing organic-inorganic hybrid material in addition to gold and/or silver particles, to a method for the production thereof and to the use of the same as catalysts. The shaped-body catalysts are characterized by a longer service life than the original powder catalysts, in addition to a high selectivity and productivity. The inventive shaped-body catalysts also enable pressure losses to be kept to a negligible level in technically sophisticated reactors, for example fixed-bed reactors.

Abstract: The converting of an existing methanol plant to make hydrogen and optionally methanol is disclosed. The converted plant utilizes the steam reformer (10) to which (a) a hydrocarbon, e.g., natural gas, or a lower alkanol, e.g., methanol, and (b) steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer (10). All or part of the syngas is processed in a CO converter (21) and/or a separation unit (22 & 28) to separate out carbon dioxide (24), carbon monoxide (30) and hydrogen (32). In the first mode, the CO converter (21) is isolated and the separated carbon dioxide (24) is fed either to the existing methanol synthesis loop (12) for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer (10) to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas (18). In the second mode, a lower alkanol is fed to the reformer (10), and the methanol synthesis loop (12) is shutdown and isolated from the rest of the plant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making hydrogen gas, comprising:

Abstract: An improved process and process train for hydrogen separation and production from gas streams containing hydrogen and light hydrocarbons. The process includes both recovery of hydrogen already in the stream by membrane separation and PSA, and production of additional hydrogen by steam reforming of the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen in an energy efficient manner wherein steam and methane are reacted to produce synthesis gas from which hydrogen is recovered, and heat employed in the process is recovered using a defined regenerative bed system.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide rich gas by steam reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of a steam reforming catalyst disposed in the pores of a porous supporting structure aligned and adhered along the wall of a reforming reactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon fuel comprises: a primary fuel processing reactor for converting a feed stream to a first reformate stream comprising hydrogen; a first hydrogen separator located downstream of the primary fuel processing reactor and fluidly connected thereto for receiving the first reformate stream, the first separator comprising a first membrane for separating the first reformate stream into a first hydrogen-rich stream and a first retentate stream; and a secondary fuel processing reactor fluidly connected to the first separator for receiving and converting the first retentate stream to a second reformate stream comprising hydrogen. A fuel cell power generation system includes the present apparatus and a fuel cell stack fluidly connected thereto for receiving hydrogen-rich streams therefrom.

Abstract: In a reformer for a fuel cell equipped with a reforming unit 7 using a reaction system composed of a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction as a reforming reaction, the reformer includes a vaporizing device 4 for vaporizing a raw fuel using a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon such as gasoline or alcohol and water and for supplying the vaporized fuel to the reforming unit 7. A spray nozzle 6 atomizes the raw fuel and supplies the atomized fuel to the reforming unit 7, and a blowing machine 9 supplies air to the reforming unit 7.

Abstract: The present invention provides microcombustors, microreformers, and methods of steam reforming alcohols over a catalyst. The microcombustors can be manufactured with a very small size and can operate at very low temperature. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods of the present invention are also described.

Abstract: In order to recover hydrogen from a hydrogen-rich gaseous effluent, a procedure is used that comprises: