Utilizing Metal Oxide Catalyst Patents (Class 423/656)
  • Patent number: 6790247
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of reaction zones arranged in an insulated, box-shaped, compact fuel processor. The multi-step process includes preheating the hydrocarbon fuel utilizing integration with the inherent exothermic processes utilized with the fuel processor, reacting the preheated hydrocarbon fuel to form the hydrogen rich gas, and purifying the hydrogen rich gas to produce a gas that is suitable for consumption in a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Childress, John R. Farrell, Wendell B. Leimbach, James W. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20040176245
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of using noble metal-free nickel catalysts to generate a hydrogen-rich gas from gas mixtures containing carbon monoxide and water, such as water-containing syngas mixtures, where the nickel may exist in either a supported or a bulk state. The noble metal-free water gas shift catalyst of the invention comprises Ni in either a supported or a bulk state and at least one of Ge, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Pb, their oxides and mixtures thereof. The invention is also directed toward noble metal-free nickel catalysts that exhibit both high activity and selectivity to hydrogen generation and carbon monoxide oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Alfred Hagemeyer, Christopher James Brooks, Raymond E. Carhart, Karin Yaccato, Michael Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20040175327
    Abstract: A method and catalysts and fuel processing apparatus for producing a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method a CO-containing gas, such as a syngas, contacts a water gas shift (“WGS”) catalyst, in the presence of water, preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C. to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Alfred Hagemeyer, Raymond E. Carhart, Karin Yaccato, Peter Strasser, Michael Herrmann, Robert K. Grasselli, Christopher James Brooks, Cory Bernard Phillips
  • Patent number: 6777117
    Abstract: There is provided a catalyst for a water gas shift reaction in a hydrogen gas which is able to effectively remove CO in the hydrogen gas within a broader temperature range. Such a catalyst for the water gas shift reaction is characterized in that a metal oxide carrier supports at least platinum. The catalyst can be used for removing carbon monoxide in the hydrogen gas. Particularly, such a catalyst can be used in the water gas shift reaction for removing carbon monoxide in a reformed gas in a fuel cell generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Igarashi, Hirokazu Higashi, Manabu Mizobuchi, Noboru Hashimoto, Kensaku Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 6746657
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method for the reduction of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in a gas stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and water vapor, wherein the carbon monoxide and hydrogen have a mole ratio greater than 5:1, with substantially reduced methanation. The invention utilizes a reactor having at least one channel having a catalyst positioned thereon and a flow rate of the gas stream over the catalyst such that a boundary layer having a thickness less than a maximum thickness boundary is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: Marco J. Castaldi
  • Publication number: 20040081614
    Abstract: A process for producing a high temperature COx-lean product gas from a high temperature COx-containing feed gas, includes: providing a sorption enhanced reactor containing a first adsorbent, a shift catalyst and a second adsorbent; feeding into the reactor a feed gas containing H2, H2O, CO and CO2; contacting the feed gas with the first adsorbent to provide a CO2 depleted feed gas; contacting the CO2 depleted feed gas with the shift catalyst to form a product mixture comprising CO2 and H2; and contacting the product mixture with a mixture of second adsorbent and shift catalyst to produce the product gas, which contains at least 50 vol. % H2, and less than 5 combined vol. % of CO2 and CO. The adsorbent is a high temperature adsorbent for a Sorption Enhanced Reaction process, such as K2CO3 promoted hydrotalcites, modified double-layered hydroxides, spinels, modified spinels, and magnesium oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: David Hon Sing Ying, Shankar Nataraj, Jeffrey Raymond Hufton, Jianguo Xu, Rodney John Allam, Sarah Jane Dulley
  • Patent number: 6723298
    Abstract: A method for catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide with water to carbon dioxide and water in a hydrogen-containing gas mixture (carbon monoxide conversion) by passing the gas mixture over a shift catalyst that is at an operating temperature for the carbon monoxide conversion. The method is carried out with a shift catalyst based on noble metals that is applied to an inert support element in the form of a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: DMC2 Degussa Metals Catalysts Cerdec AG
    Inventors: Frank Baumann, Stefan Wieland
  • Patent number: 6692713
    Abstract: Process for the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide and/or CH3OH in a hydrogen containing process stream by contacting the process stream with a catalyst comprising gold on a support comprising non-reducible magnesium aluminium oxide in form of MgAl2O4 spinel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt, Herman Teuissen
  • Patent number: 6667022
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating gas mixtures containing synthesis gas (syngas) into separate streams of wet hydrogen containing significantly reduced amounts of CO2 and CO, with the CO2 being “sequestration ready” and containing less than 1% fixed gases. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of limestone and iron oxide circulates between two fluidized beds whereby one bed is fluidized with a gas containing syngas, while the other bed is fluidized with a gas containing steam and oxygen. As the fluidizing gas containing syngas passes through the bed, the CO2 reacts with CaO to form CaCO3. Virtually all of the CO is removed by a water gas shift reaction, forming hydrogen and CO2, with the remainder being removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO. Some hydrogen is also removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO, while the remainder of the hydrogen passes through the fluid beds, leaving in a purified state, i.e., PEM fuel cell quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Jerald A. Cole
  • Patent number: 6652830
    Abstract: The reaction of carbon monoxide with steam over an alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst has been found to yield surprisingly high yields of hydrogen gas at relatively low temperatures. Catalyst structures, reactors, hydrogen production systems, and methods for producing hydrogen utilizing the alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst are described. Methods of making catalysts are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich
  • Patent number: 6641795
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumio Abe
  • Patent number: 6623720
    Abstract: Mono- and bimetallic transition metal carbides, nitrides and borides, and their oxygen containing analogs (e.g. oxycarbides) for use as water gas shift catalysts are described. In a preferred embodiment, the catalysts have the general formula of M1AM2BZCOD, wherein M1 is selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and combinations thereof; M2 is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Cu, Co, and combinations thereof; Z is selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, boron, and combinations thereof; A is an integer; B is 0 or an integer greater than 0; C is an integer; O is oxygen; and D is 0 or an integer greater than 0. The catalysts exhibit good reactivity, stability, and sulfur tolerance, as compared to conventional water shift gas catalysts. These catalysts hold promise for use in conjunction with proton exchange membrane fuel cell powered systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Levi T. Thompson, Jeremy Patt, Dong Ju Moon, Cory Phillips
  • Patent number: 6616909
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Robert S. Wegeng, Yufei Gao
  • Publication number: 20030154655
    Abstract: A process for converting carbon monoxide and water in a reformate stream into carbon dioxide and hydrogen comprising: generating a reformate by reacting a hydrocarbon via partial oxidation, steam reforming, or both, including autothermal reforming; and promoting a water gas shift in the reformate in the presence of a platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium and mixtures thereof, supported on zirconium oxide. The platinum group metal advantageously may be supported directly on a monolithic substrate composed of zirconium oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Prashant S. Chintawar, Craig Thompson, Mark R. Hagan
  • Patent number: 6572837
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Holland, Gary Schubak, Mark Bradley, Kevin O'Connor, Brant Peppley
  • Patent number: 6562315
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for carrying out the water gas shift reaction comprising employing a methane production suppressing water gas shift reaction catalyst, wherein the methane production suppressing water gas shift reaction catalyst comprises a methane production suppressing effective amount of a basic metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Olga Korotkikh, Wolfgang Friedrich Ruettinger, Robert Joseph Farrauto
  • Patent number: 6555088
    Abstract: A method for conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen with water in a gas mixture containing hydrogen and other oxidizable components. An oxidation-active noble metal shift catalyst is the catalyst. The necessary operating temperature of the catalyst is established and optionally maintained by partial oxidation of the oxidizable components of the gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: DMC2 Degussa Metal Catalysts Cerdec AG
    Inventors: Frank Baumann, Stefan Wieland
  • Patent number: 6540975
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus (vessel) for providing a heat transfer rate from a reaction chamber through a wall to a heat transfer chamber substantially matching a local heat transfer rate of a catalytic thermal chemical reaction. The key to the invention is a thermal distance defined on a cross sectional plane through the vessel inclusive of a heat transfer chamber, reaction chamber and a wall between the chambers. The cross sectional plane is perpendicular to a bulk flow direction of the reactant stream, and the thermal distance is a distance between a coolest position and a hottest position on the cross sectional plane. The thermal distance is of a length wherein the heat transfer rate from the reaction chamber to the heat transfer chamber substantially matches the local heat transfer rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Robert S. Wegeng, Yufei Gao
  • Patent number: 6524550
    Abstract: A process for converting carbon monoxide and water in a reformate stream into carbon dioxide and hydrogen comprising: generating a reformate by reacting a hydrocarbon via partial oxidation, steam reforming, or both, including autothermal reforming; and promoting a water gas shift in the reformate in the presence of a platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium and mixtures thereof, supported on zirconium oxide. The platinum group metal advantageously may be supported directly on a monolithic substrate composed of zirconium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventors: Prashant S. Chintawar, Craig Thompson, Mark R. Hagan
  • Patent number: 6521143
    Abstract: A process is provided for simultaneously producing a syngas product having a H2/CO ratio of less than 2.5 and a hydrogen gas product. The process includes increasing an amount of carbon dioxide being fed to a secondary reformer with carbon dioxide extracted from: (a) an effluent from a primary reformer and (b) an effluent from the secondary reformer. An apparatus for performing the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Genkin, Nitin Madhubhai Patel, Shoou-I Wang
  • Patent number: 6506359
    Abstract: An auto-oxidation and internal heating type reforming method and apparatus for hydrogen production are disclosed for use in a process in which a gaseous mixture of a hydrocarbon or an aliphatic alcohol with water vapor is fed into contact with a mass of a reforming catalyst to bring about a reforming reaction of the gaseous mixture to produce hydrogen, wherein a small amount of an oxidizing catalyst is admixed with the reforming catalyst in that mass; and a small amount of oxygen is admixed with the gaseous mixture, whereby a portion of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol is exothermally oxidized to generate a quantity of heat required to reform the gaseous mixture of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol with water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Chemical Plant Consultant Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Saburo Maruko
  • Patent number: 6500403
    Abstract: A high temperature shift process using an iron oxide-containing catalyst wherein the feed gas is contacted with an iron-free, copper-containing, catalyst at an inlet temperature in the range 280-370° C. before contact with the iron oxide-containing catalyst in order to effect some shift reaction and thus avoid conditions conducive to over-reduction of the iron oxide containing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Andrew Mark Ward
  • Patent number: 6488838
    Abstract: The present invention is a chemical reactor and method for catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. The chemical reactor has reactor microchannels for flow of at least one reactant and at least one product, and a catalyst material wherein the at least one reactant contacts the catalyst material and reacts to form the at least one product. The improvement, according to the present invention is: the catalyst material is on a porous material having a porosity that resists bulk flow therethrough and permits molecular diffusion therein. The porous material further has a length, a width and a thickness, the porous material defining at least a portion of one wall of a bulk flow path through which the at least one reactant passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Jennifer L. Marco, Gary L. Roberts, David P. Vanderwiel, Robert S. Wegeng
  • Publication number: 20020141924
    Abstract: A CO-shift device includes a main body having therein a space in which a CO-shift catalyst is accommodated, the space being divided into an inner space and an outer space surrounding the inner space; an inlet portion formed at one end portion of the inner space, the inlet portion being supplied with a reformed gas such that the reformed gas flows through the inner space. An outlet portion is formed at one end portion of the outer space and a redirecting portion is provided between the other end portion of the inner space and the other end portion of the redirecting portion, thereby reversing the reformed gas flown into the other end of the inner space in order that the resulting reformed gas passes through the outer space to be exhausted from the outlet portion, the reformed gas being shifted to reduce CO by the CO-shift catalyst during its movement through the inner and outer spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6455182
    Abstract: A shift converter (16) in a fuel processing subsystem (14, 16, 18) for a fuel cell (12) uses an improved catalyst composition (50) to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide in a process gas for the fuel cell (12). The catalyst composition (50) is a noble metal catalyst having a promoted support of mixed metal oxide, including at least both ceria and zirconia. Cerium is present in the range of 30 to 50 mole %, and zirconium is present in the range of 70 to 50 mole %. Additional metal oxides may also be present. Use of the catalyst composition (50) obviates the requirement for prior reducing of catalysts, and minimizes the need to protect the catalyst from oxygen during operation and/or shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: UTC Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald G. Silver
  • Publication number: 20020114762
    Abstract: The reaction of carbon monoxide with steam over an alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst has been found to yield surprisingly high yields of hydrogen gas at relatively low temperatures. Catalyst structures, reactors, hydrogen production systems, and methods for producing hydrogen utilizing the alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst are described. Methods of making catalysts are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich
  • Patent number: 6432368
    Abstract: The ammonia content of fuel gas in an IGCC power generation system is reduced through ammonia decomposition, thereby reducing the NOx emissions from the plant. The power generation system includes a gasifier, a gas turbine and at least one catalytic reactor arranged between the gasifier and the gas turbine. The catalytic reactor may be either a three stage or two stage device. The three stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift, a second catalyst which promotes CO methanation, and a third catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The two stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift and CO methanation and a second catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The plural catalytic stages may be disposed in a single vessel or successively disposed in individual vessels, and the catalysts may be in a pelletized form or coated on honeycomb structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Feitelberg, Raul Eduardo Ayala, Stephen Lan-Sun Hung, David Joseph Najewicz
  • Publication number: 20020051747
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst consisting of reacting an aqueous NaOH solution and aqueous NACO3 solution with a mixture of aqueous solutions of each nitrate of Cu, Zn, Al, and Zr, producing a precipitate by coprecipitation, aging, filtering, washing and drying this precipitate to prepare a catalyst precursor consisting of a CuZnAlZr layered double hydroxide, and then obtaining a CuZnAlZr oxide by calcining this precursor in an air ambient atmosphere, a CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst, a CuZnZrCe oxide catalyst, a CoCuZnAl oxide catalyst for producing hydrogen by oxidative steam reforming of methanol, and methods of producing hydrogen gas consisting of converting methanol to hydrogen gas by oxidative steam reforming in the presence of air and steam using these oxide catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Japan as represented by Secretary of Agency of Industrial Science and Techonlogy
    Inventors: Kenzi Suzuki, Velu Subramani, Toshihiko Osaki
  • Patent number: 6379585
    Abstract: Sulphides and selenides are prepared by dissolving sulphur or selenium in an aqueous or non-aqueous solution of hydrazine hydrate. The solution is combined with a solution of an appropriate cation to precipitate the corresponding sulphide or selenide. Solutions of two or more cations may be used to produce ternary compounds of sulphur and selenium, for example thio-gallates. Likewise both sulphur and selenium can be used together to produce sulpho-selenides. The method is particularly applicable to the production of doped phosphors by the inclusion of solutions containing the appropriate dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: Aron Vecht, David William Smith
  • Patent number: 6379645
    Abstract: A process for recovering hydrogen products from a hydrogen/carbon oxide synthesis gas wherein removal of carbon oxides is accomplished in a pressure swing adsorption unit, by operating the pressure swing adsorption unit until carbon oxides break through into the effluent from the pressure swing adsorption unit, followed by passing the effluent from the pressure swing adsorption unit through a methanator to remove breakthrough carbon oxides from the pressure swing adsorption effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Peter Bucci, John Michael Repasky, Nirmal Chatterjee, Gregory David Snyder
  • Patent number: 6375924
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a compact water gas shift reactor for use in conjunction with fuel cell to generate electric power from a feedstream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream may be produced from the feedstream in a steam reforming of autothermal reforming zone. The compact water gas shift reactor comprises a vertically aligned vessel having a top end, a bottom end opposite, which defines an interior space. The interior space contains a first water spray zone for contacting a reforming effluent stream comprising hydrogen with a first water stream. A first dispersion zone is disposed below the first water spray zone and above a high temperature shift zone. The high temperature shift zone contains a high temperature shift catalyst to produce a high temperature shift effluent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Publication number: 20020031471
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus (vessel) for providing a heat transfer rate from a reaction chamber through a wall to a heat transfer chamber substantially matching a local heat transfer rate of a catalytic thermal chemical reaction. The key to the invention is a thermal distance defined on a cross sectional plane through the vessel inclusive of a heat transfer chamber, reaction chamber and a wall between the chambers. The cross sectional plane is perpendicular to a bulk flow direction of the reactant stream, and the thermal distance is a distance between a coolest position and a hottest position on the cross sectional plane. The thermal distance is of a length wherein the heat transfer rate from the reaction chamber to the heat transfer chamber substantially matches the local heat transfer rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: ANNA LEE Y. TONKOVICH, YONG WANG, ROBERT S. WEGENG, YUFEI GAO
  • Publication number: 20010055560
    Abstract: Process for the production of a hydrogen rich gas without formation of hydrocarbons comprising water gas shift conversion of a gas containing carbon monoxide and steam at a temperature of between 400° C. and 850° C. in the presence of a catalyst, which catalyst comprises one or more of the elements Mg, Mn, Al, Zr, La, Ce, Pr, and Nd, being able to form basic oxides, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Niels C. Schiodt, Poul E. Nielsen, Peter Lehrmann, Kim Aasberg-Petersen
  • Patent number: 6303098
    Abstract: A method of forming a hydrogen rich gas from a source of hydrocarbon fuel. A vapor of the hydrocarbon fuel and steam is brought in contact with a two-part catalyst having a dehydrogenation powder portion and an oxide-ion conducting powder portion at a temperature not less than about 770°C. for a time sufficient to generate the hydrogen rich. The H2 content of the hydrogen gas is greater than about 70 percent by volume. The dehydrogenation portion of the catalyst includes a group VIII metal, and the oxide-ion conducting portion is selected from a ceramic oxide from the group crystallizing in the fluorite or perovskite structure and mixtures thereof. The oxide-ion conducting portion of the catalyst is a ceramic powder of one or more of ZrO2, CeO2, Bi2O3, (BiVO)4, and LaGaO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: University of Chicago
    Inventors: Kurt W. Kramarz, Ira D. Bloom, Romesh Kumar, Shabbir Ahmed, Rolf Wilkenhoener, Michael Krumpelt
  • Publication number: 20010024632
    Abstract: A high temperature shift process using an iron oxide-containing catalyst wherein the feed gas is contacted with an iron-free, copper-containing, catalyst at an inlet temperature in the range 280-370° C. before contact with the iron oxide-containing catalyst in order to effect some shift reaction and thus avoid conditions conducive to over-reduction of the iron oxide containing catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Andrew Mark Ward
  • Patent number: 6293978
    Abstract: A process for converting organic compounds using composite materials in membrane reactors. The composite materials include a gas-tight ceramic, a porous metallic support, and an interfacial zone therebetween eliminate the need for mechanical seals between two such dissimilar materials. Oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes are formed on a porous metallic alloy to provide an interfacial zone identifiable by a gradient of composition in at least one metallic element across the interfacial zone between the dense ceramic membrane and the porous support. Processes using composite materials in accordance with the invention are, for example, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen, whereby the synthesis gas is, advantageously, free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Kleefisch, Carl A. Udovich, Joseph G. Masin, Thaddeus P. Kobylinski
  • Publication number: 20010002248
    Abstract: This specification discloses a hydrogen generating apparatus comprising a reformer, a heating section, a fuel supply section, a water supply section, a shift reactor with a shift catalyst layer, a first heat exchanger on the downstream side of the shift catalyst layer, and a temperature detector for the shift catalyst layer. It is the most notable feature of the hydrogen generating apparatus of the present invention that the temperature of the downstream portion of the shift catalyst layer is raised by the action of the heat exchanger compared with the temperature of the same before the amount of the reformed gas is increased. And, the temperature of the downstream portion is lowered compared with the temperature of the same before the amount of the reformed gas is reduced when reducing the amount of the reformed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: KUNIHIRO UKAI, KIMIYASU HONDA, KIYOSHI TAGUCHI, TAKESHI TOMIZAWA, KOUICHIRO KITAGAWA, TOSHIYUKI SHONO
  • Patent number: 6238640
    Abstract: The invention provides a carbon monoxide conversion method for hydrogen-containing gas. The method comprises selective CO conversion in hydrogen-containing gas through contact of CO with steam and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing copper, alumina and zinc oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Eguchi, Koshi Sekizawa, Sei-ichi Yano, Toshimasa Utaka, Hiromichi Arai
  • Patent number: 6069288
    Abstract: A process for the separation and removal, of hydrogen, alone or together with carbon monoxide, if present, from a mixture of these gases with reactive unsaturated hydrocarbons, by contacting the mixture with oxygen over a catalyst at conditions sufficient to oxidize the hydrogen to form water while suppressing reaction of the reactive, unsaturated hydrocarbons. The catalyst contains at least one metal or metal oxide from Groups IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIII of the Periodic Table, and the temperature of the reaction may range from about 40.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., the pressure of the reaction ranges from about 14.7 psig to 1,000 psig, and the flow rate of the entering feed ranges from about 1 GHSV to about 50,000 GHSV. Oxygen amounts less than the stoichiometric amount required to react with the hydrogen, and optionally any carbon monoxide, are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Y. Ou, Stephen N. Vaughn, Lawrence G. Daniel
  • Patent number: 6063355
    Abstract: A method of treating wastes includes partially combusting the wastes in a fluidized bed reactor at a relatively low temperature followed by separate gasification of gaseous material and char from the first gasification in a separate relatively high temperature reactor. This forms synthesis gas that is cooled, subjected to a conversion operation to produce hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, UBE Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujimura, Yoshio Hirayama, Shosaku Fujinami, Shuichi Nagato, Tetsuhisa Hirose, Takahiro Oshita, Masaaki Irie, Kazuo Takano, Toshio Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6048508
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for simultaneously obtaining pure carbon monoxide and pure hydrogen in a steam reformer plant for hydrogen or ammonia generation, having a primary reformer, a secondary reformer and downstream thereof, a CO conversion stage. A part gas stream of the synthesis gas stream, which is discharged from the secondary reformer having a CO content of between 2 and 20 mol. % and is at a temperature of from 200 to 500.degree. C. and a pressure between 15 and 50 bar, is removed between the secondary reformer and the CO conversion stage. The part gas stream is then is cooled to a temperature below 100.degree. C., thereby condensing out the major part of the steam contained in the gas stream. The remaining raw synthesis gas stream is then guided by way of a multistage gas separation plant in which the gas components H.sub.2, residual steam, CH.sub.4, CO.sub.2 and optionally N.sub.2 are separated, either individually or together, from the CO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Dummersdorf, Hans-Joachim Muller, Dieter Grenner, Gerhard Moormann
  • Patent number: 6019954
    Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst suitable for the conversion of carbon monoxide with steam into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and a process therewith for said conversion. Said catalyst comprises Co, Ni, Mo and/or W active components, TiO.sub.2 -containing carrier and non-alkali metal element promoter(s). Said process comprises reacting carbon monoxide feed gas containing 0.01% or more of H.sub.2 S by volume with steam in the presence of said catalyst at a temperature between 230 to 500.degree. C. under a pressure between 0 to 10 MPa (absolute) with a relatively high yield, whereby heavy fuel can be used as a source of carbon monoxide feed gas for such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignees: China Petro-Chemical Corp, Qilu Pertrochemical Co.
    Inventors: Fushan Tang, Xintang Zhang, Qiuyun Zong, Yuxiu Wang, Yongfang Tan, Xin Li, Zhaoming Tian, Yanwei Yang
  • Patent number: 5990040
    Abstract: A catalyst for the conversion of carbon oxide comprising 30 to 70% CuO, 20 to 90% ZnO, 0.1 to 20% of an element of Group IV-B in the form of an oxide, preferably titanium and/or zirconium, most preferably titanium, about 5 to about 40 percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and preferably 50 to 1000 ppm of a Group 1-A element in the form of an oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: United Catalysts Inc.
    Inventors: X. D. Hu, Jon P. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5980858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastes by two-stage gasification recovers metals or ash content in the wastes in such a state that they can be recycled, and gases containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen gas (H.sub.2) for use as synthesis gas for ammonia (NH.sub.3) or production of hydrogen gas. The wastes are gasified in a fluidized-bed reactor at a low temperature. Then, gaseous material and char produced in the fluidized-bed reactor are introduced into a high-temperature combustor, and gasified at a high temperature and ash content is converted into molten slag. After water scrubbing and a CO conversion reaction, the gas is separated into H.sub.2 and residual gas. The residual gas is then supplied to the fluidized-bed reactor as a fluidizing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Ube Industries, Lt.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujimura, Yoshio Hirayama, Shosaku Fujinami, Kazuo Takano, Masaaki Irie, Tetsuhisa Hirose, Shuichi Nagato, Takahiro Oshita, Toshio Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5980857
    Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen gas by reacting steam with a gas mixture containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce a hydrogen-enriched product gas and subjecting the product gas to pressure swing adsorption to produce a high purity hydrogen product and a hydrogen-depleted waste gas is improved by drying, where necessary, part of the gas mixture and subjecting the dry gas mixture to pressure swing adsorption using a carbon monoxide-selective adsorbent to produce a high purity carbon monoxide product gas and a carbon monoxide-depleted waste gas. Where the gas mixture is produced by endothermic reaction, one or both of the hydrogen-depleted waste gas and the carbon monoxide-depleted waste gas can be used as fuel to supply heat for the endothermic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Boc Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Kapoor, Yudong Chen, Simon Paul Davies, Ravi Kumar, Robert Michael Thorogood
  • Patent number: 5929286
    Abstract: A method of forming a hydrogen rich gas from a source of hydrocarbon fuel in which the hydrocarbon fuel contacts a two-part catalyst comprising a dehydrogenation portion and an oxide-ion conducting portion at a temperature not less than about 400.degree. C. for a time sufficient to generate the hydrogen rich gas while maintaining CO content less than about 5 volume percent. There is also disclosed a method of forming partially oxidized hydrocarbons from ethanes in which ethane gas contacts a two-part catalyst comprising a dehydrogenation portion and an oxide-ion conducting portion for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form an oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Michael Krumpelt, Shabbir Ahmed, Romesh Kumar, Rajiv Doshi
  • Patent number: 5900224
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastes by gasification recovers metals or ash content in the wastes in such a state that they can be recycled, and gases containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H.sub.2) for use as synthesis gas of ammonia (NH.sub.3). The wastes are gasified in a fluidized-bed reactor at a relatively low temperature, and gaseous material and char produced in the fluidized-bed reactor are introduced into the high-temperature combustor. The synthesis gas is produced in the high-temperature combustor at a relatively high temperature, CO and H.sub.2 O in the synthesis gas is converted into CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2, and then H.sub.2 is recovered by removing CO.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujimura, Yoshio Hirayama, Shosaku Fujinami, Shuichi Nagato, Tetsuhisa Hirose, Takahiro Oshita, Masaaki Irie, Kazuo Takano, Toshio Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5877377
    Abstract: A method for conducting a chemical reaction with a catalyst composed of metal oxide particles among which are uniformly incorporated, in order to reduce the operating temperature of the catalyst, palladium particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Stanislaw E. Golunski, John M. Gascoyne, Anthony Fulford, John W. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5830425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of carbon monoxide with steam into hydrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen-rich synthesis gases. The conversion can be done at temperatures above roughly 300.degree. C. In addition, a chromium-free catalyst for the aforementioned purpose is described which contains the following in "application form:"(a) 30-98% by weight iron oxide, computed as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 ;(b) 0.1-20% by weight copper oxide, computed as CuO;(c) 0.1-20% by weight of an oxide of the rare earth levels computed as Me.sub.2 O.sub.3 (in which Me is a rare earth metal) and/or zirconium oxide, computed as ZrO.sub.2 ;(d) 0.1-30% by weight of at least one oxide of one or several other base metals with an ionic radius from 50 to 72 pm (other than chromium)(e) 0-0.1% by weight of at least one oxide of one or several precious metals from the platinum group;(f) 0-30% by weight barium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie AG
    Inventors: Michael Schneider, Karl Kochloefl, Gerd J. Maletz, Jurgen Ladebeck, Christoph Heinisch
  • Patent number: 5714132
    Abstract: Hot exhaust gases from oxygen-based fossil fuel fired-furnaces made up predominantly of steam and carbon dioxide are used for reforming a hydrocarbonaceous substance in the presence or absence of oxygen to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Additional hydrogen can be produced by subjecting the carbon monoxide produced in the reaction to the water gas shift reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Kapoor, Satish S. Tamhankar, Ramachandran Krishnamurthy