Apparatus For Converting Or Treating Hydrocarbon Gas Patents (Class 48/127.9)
  • Patent number: 7500999
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor is provided with one or more reaction zones each formed of set(s) of reaction tubes containing a catalyst to promote chemical reaction within a feed stream. The reaction tubes are of helical configuration and are arranged in a substantially coaxial relationship to form a coil-like structure. Heat exchangers and steam generators can be formed by similar tube arrangements. In such manner, the reaction zone(s) and hence, the reactor is compact and the pressure drop through components is minimized. The resultant compact form has improved heat transfer characteristics and is far easier to thermally insulate than prior art compact reactor designs. Various chemical reactions are contemplated within such coil-like structures such that as steam methane reforming followed by water-gas shift. The coil-like structures can be housed within annular chambers of a cylindrical housing that also provide flow paths for various heat exchange fluids to heat and cool components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Aaron, Minish Mahendra Shah, Richard John Jibb
  • Publication number: 20090056223
    Abstract: A quench ring rim and methods of fabrication are described. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a rim for use in a gasification system includes providing a hollow pipe, forming the pipe into a circular pipe, wherein a first end of the pipe is coupled to an opposite second end of the pipe, and cutting the pipe to form a rim having a desired circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Sunilkant A. Patel, Monty Lee Harned, Devin Richard Martin, Shashishekara Sitharamarao Talya
  • Patent number: 7497882
    Abstract: A method of generating hydrogen for use in a fuel cell system, which comprises processing a fuel which is essentially free of organic sulfur-containing compounds to produce a hydrogen-containing stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited
    Inventor: Khaliq Ahmed
  • Patent number: 7497881
    Abstract: A heat exchanger design is provided for optimal transfer of thermal energy between a primary reactor-out reformate and a primary reactor-in steam and air. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a prime-surface true counter axial flow heat exchanger positioned around the primary reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Burch, Matthew J. Beutel, Kevin Stukey
  • Patent number: 7494516
    Abstract: A recuperative heat exchanger (36) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20), the heat exchanger (36) transferring heat from a fluid flow (34) at one stage of a fuel processing operation to the fluid flow (32) at another stage of the fuel processing operation. The heat exchanger (36) includes a housing (56) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (70) located in the first passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough; and a second convoluted fin (72) located in the second passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Reinke, Jeroen Valensa, Todd Bandhauer, Nicholas Siler, Mark G. Voss, Michael McGregor, Dennis C. Granetzke
  • Patent number: 7494518
    Abstract: A fuel processing system is provided wherein heat is transferred from a reformate flow (32) downstream from a water-gas shift (38) to both a) a combustor feed flow (40) that is supplied to a combustor (25); and b) a water flow (26) that is supplied to a reformer feed mix (34) for a steam reformer (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Reinke, Jeroen Valensa, Todd Bandhauer, Nicholas Siler, Mark G. Voss, Michael McGregor, Dennis C. Granetzke
  • Patent number: 7488359
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are provided for the generation of hydrogen which employ a reformer and water gas shift reactor. The apparatus and processes respond quickly to changes in hydrogen generation. The reformate in a region between the reformer and prior to exiting the water gas shift reactor is cooled by indirect heat exchange with water whereby substantially all the water is vaporized to steam, the steam is separated from liquid water and then introduced into the reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: HyRadix, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Sanger
  • Patent number: 7481856
    Abstract: A reactor for autothermal reforming of hydrocarbons that allows a reduction of excess-air factor ? during the reforming without resulting in a reduced conversion of the hydrocarbons in an end region of the reaction zone. The reactor includes at least one reaction zone in which is arranged at least one catalyst structure for the reformation so that the educts involved in the reformation are converted while flowing through the reaction zone. A heating device is included for heating the end region of the reaction zone to accelerate the conversion of the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Docter, Bernhard Vogel, Steffen Oliver Wieland
  • Patent number: 7481857
    Abstract: Process and reaction unit for isothermal shift conversion of a carbon monoxide containing feed gas, the process comprising the steps of introducing the feed gas in a reaction unit into reactor tubes with a fixed bed of a shift conversion catalyst in a reaction zone; contacting the feed gas with the catalyst at conditions being effective in carbon monoxide shift conversion reaction with steam reactant to hydrogen and cooling the reaction by indirect heat exchange with a cooling agent by passing the cooling agent in a falling film along shell side of the reactor tubes and removing heated cooling agent from the falling film; passing hydrogen when it is formed by the shift conversion reaction through a hydrogen selective membrane to a permeate zone; withdrawing hydrogen from the permeate zone and carbon monoxide depleted feed gas from the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Rostrup-Nielsen, Erik Løgsted-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7481858
    Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a reaction chamber having a first reactant, a reservoir having an optional second reactant, and a self-regulated flow control device. The self-regulated flow control device stops the flow of reactant from the reservoir to the reaction chamber when the pressure of the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined level. Methods of operating the gas-generated apparatus and the self-regulated flow control device, including the cycling of a shut-off valve of the gas-generated apparatus and the cycling of the self-regulated flow control device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Constance R. Stephan
  • Patent number: 7479169
    Abstract: A gas supplying system for fuel cell includes a reformer generating a reformed gas by reforming a mixed raw material including a fuel and a first water, a piping network distributing the reformed gas to fuel cell systems each of which is installed in different rooms or buildings, a drain recovery unit recovering a water condensed from the reformed gas in the piping network. The piping network has a circulating route. By the circulation route, the reformed gas does not stay in the piping network so that the water condensation in the piping is suppressed. The water in the piping is removed by the drain recovery unit. According to this configuration, the clogging and corrosion of the piping caused by the condensed water is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuki Yagi, Shigeru Nojima, Hirohisa Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7465326
    Abstract: [OBJECT] A hydrogen generator is provided which includes a lightweight, small-heat-capacity, high-performance gas mixer and is good in hydrogen generating efficiency and response. [MEANS OF SOLVING] A hydrogen generator comprising: a mixed gas passage (9) configured to flow a mixed gas containing two or more components; first and second passages configured to branch off, at their leading ends, from the mixed gas passage and join to each other at their trailing ends; first turning means (45a) to (45d) formed in the first passage to turn the mixed gas flowing in the first passage in a first direction; second turning means (46a) to (46d) formed in the second passage to turn the mixed gas flowing in the second passage in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a hydrogen generating section configured to generate hydrogen by causing a chemical reaction of the mixed gas which flows out from the joined trailing ends of the first and second passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Mukai, Akira Maenishi, Yoshio Tamura, Yutaka Yoshida, Tomonori Asou
  • Patent number: 7465325
    Abstract: A fuel reforming system generates burnt gas by burning fuel and air in a burner (6) during system startup, and the temperatures of a reforming reactor (7) and carbon monoxide oxidizer (40) are raised by supplying the burnt gas to the reforming reactor (7) and carbon monoxide oxidizer (40). The temperature of the burnt gas produced by the burner (6) is increased according to the elapsed time from the beginning of the startup processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Yamaguchi, Masatoshi Iio, Takao Izumi
  • Publication number: 20080302013
    Abstract: Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: John Michael Repasky, Michael Francis Carolan, VanEric Edward Stein, Christopher Ming-Poh Chen
  • Patent number: 7462208
    Abstract: Described herein is a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. The fuel processor comprises a reformer, boiler and burner. The reformer includes a catalyst to facilitate the production of hydrogen from the fuel source. A boiler heats the fuel source before receipt by the reformer. The burner provides heat to the reformer and to the boiler. The fuel processor may also comprise a dock that maintains position of the reformer and boiler within the fuel processor. Dewars are also described that improve thermal management of a fuel processor by reducing heat loss and increasing burner efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Ultracell Corporation
    Inventor: Ian W. Kaye
  • Patent number: 7462209
    Abstract: A reactor vessel for performing a steam reforming reaction having a vessel inlet for natural gas and steam; a vessel inlet for a hot gaseous medium; a vessel outlet for the steam reforming product; and a reactor space which is a bed of steam reforming catalyst, which reactor space inlet is fluidly connected to the inlet for natural gas and steam and at its outlet end fluidly connected with the outlet for the gaseous product; wherein inside the catalyst bed a passageway is provided fluidly connected to the vessel inlet for the hot gaseous medium for passage of hot gaseous mixture counter currently to the flow of reactants in the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Wouter Detlof Berggren, Franciscus Gerardus Van Dongen, Thian Hoey Tio, Pieter Lammert Zuideveld
  • Patent number: 7459131
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating calcium oxide used in the production of hydrogen gas. The method includes steps of: (a) streaming a solid reactant into an inlet port of a contactor vessel; (b) streaming a purge oxidant into an oxidant port of the contactor vessel to reduce a partial pressure of a gas over the solid reactant; (c) venting the gas from a gas port of the contactor vessel; and (d) removing the solid reactant from a discharge port of the contactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Albert E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7455817
    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 modules stacked end-to-end along a common axis. Each module includes a shell having an interior space defining a passageway for the flow of gas from a first end of the shell to a second end of the shell opposite the first end, and a processing core being contained within the interior space for effecting a chemical, thermal, or physical change to a gas stream passing axially through the module. the multi-step process includes: providing a fuel processor having a plurality of modules stacked end-to-end along a common axis; and feeding the hydrocarbon fuel successively through each of the modules in an axial direction through the tubular reactor to produce the hydrogen rich gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. Krause, James K. Wolfenbarger, Paul F. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080282612
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes and apparatuses for gas treatment, in particular for the purification of methane rich gas streams, such as gas obtained from the conversion from organic matter (“biogas”). In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus and a process for producing a purified methane comprising gas stream (P) from a methane containing gas stream (A), comprising the steps of: (a) pressurising said methane containing gas stream (A) and subsequently cooling it, whereby a stream comprising condensed contaminants (C) and a methane comprising stream (B) are obtained; (b) optionally feeding said methane comprising stream (B) to an adsorption unit and/or a catalytic conversion unit, whereby the concentration of contaminants in stream (B) is further decreased; and (c) cooling the methane comprising stream (B) to a temperature which is sufficient to condensate CO2 from said stream (B), whereby said purified methane comprising gas stream (P) is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Mathieu Andre De Bas, Jacob Kuiper, Jeroen De Pater
  • Patent number: 7449037
    Abstract: A method for carrying out endothermic or exothermic gas phase reactions by using a tube bundle reactor with a tube bundle of catalyst-filled reaction tubes comprises the following steps: a) Introducing a reaction gas mixture into the reaction tubes; b) Dividing-up of the reaction gas mixture flow flowing through each of the reaction tubes into at least two partial flows, each partial flow having the same composition; c) Feeding-in of each partial flow at a different point along the catalyst filling with an existing flow resistance; d) Determining the desired partial flow volume for each partial flow (V1, V2, V3, V4); e) Calculating the pressure at the point of the first division of the reaction gas mixture (9); f) Calculating the pressure in the catalyst filling (12) at the point of feeding-in of each partial flow (V1, V2, V3, V4); and g) Setting of flow resistance for each point of feeding-in in such a way that the flow resistance at the desired partial flow volume corresponds to the pressure difference bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: MAN DWE GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Lehr, Franz Egner, Michael Claussen, Markus Maly
  • Patent number: 7449052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite structure consisting of a relatively long filtration bar comprising, from the outside, an ultra-thin layer (26) that is selectively permeable to hydrogen and made from palladium or silver alloy. Said layer is disposed on a permeable, rigid, refractory substrate consisting of a more or less solid body (30) that is covered with an intermediary thin layer (28) having a relatively smooth surface. The body (30) and the intermediary layer (28) are made respectively by sintering with fine and ultra-fine Inconel grains. A rigid metallic axial structure (32) is embedded in the body (30). Veinlets (31), which are made in the body (30) through the destruction of thermo-destructible wires during sintering, increase the permeability of the substrate. The invention is particularly applicable to hydrogen-producing combustible gas processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne des Technologies de l'Hydrogene
    Inventors: Claude Etievant, Dominique De Lapparent, Fanny Gaillard, Roger Le Cren, Karine Pointet
  • Publication number: 20080271376
    Abstract: A natural gas reformer system is provided. The natural gas reformer system includes a natural gas inlet configured to receive a natural gas slipstream. The natural gas reformer system also includes an air inlet configured to introduce a slip stream of air. The natural gas reformer system further includes a preconditioning zone configured to pretreat the natural gas slipstream. The natural gas reformer system also includes a mixing zone configured to mix the natural gas slipstream and the air in a rich proportion. The natural gas reformer system further includes a reaction zone configured to combust the natural gas and air to generate a syngas. The natural gas reformer system also includes a quench zone configured to mix the natural gas back into the syngas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joel Meier Haynes, Jeffrey Scott Goldmeer
  • Publication number: 20080275278
    Abstract: A system and process are disclosed for the controlled combustion of a wide variety of hydrocarbon feedstocks to produce thermal energy, liquid fuels, and other valuable products with little or no emissions. The hydrocarbon feeds, such as coal and biomass, are first gasified and then oxidized in a two-chamber system/process using pure oxygen rather than ambient air. A portion of the intermediate gases generated in the system/process are sent to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process for conversion into diesel fuel and other desired liquid hydrocarbons. The remaining intermediate gases are circulated and recycled through each of the gasification/oxidation chambers in order to maximize energy production. The energy produced through the system/process is used to generate steam and produce power through conventional steam turbine technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Steve L. Clark
  • Patent number: 7445649
    Abstract: A gasifier 10 includes a first chemical process loop 12 having an exothermic oxidizer reactor 14 and an endothermic reducer reactor 16. CaS is oxidized in air in the oxidizer reactor 14 to form hot CaSO4 which is discharged to the reducer reactor 16. Hot CaSO4 and carbonaceous fuel received in the reducer reactor 16 undergo an endothermic reaction utilizing the heat content of the CaSO4, the carbonaceous fuel stripping the oxygen from the CaSO4 to form CaS and a CO rich syngas. The CaS is discharged to the oxidizer reactor 14 and the syngas is discharged to a second chemical process loop 52. The second chemical process loop 52 has a water-gas shift reactor 54 and a calciner 42. The CO of the syngas reacts with gaseous H2O in the shift reactor 54 to produce H2 and CO2. The CO2 is captured by CaO to form hot CaCO3 in an exothermic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Herbert E. Andrus, Jr., Michael S. McCartney
  • Publication number: 20080263954
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a process for hydrogen production in which at least a part of a hydrocarbonaceous feed gas (a) is passed into a reformer (c), wherein the feed gas is contacted in the reformer with a catalyst and the feed gas is converted to hydrogen and solid carbon, for the direct production of a hydrogenous gas at filling stations for sale to a consumer, and also to a reactor (d) for hydrogen on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: ELECTROVAC AG
    Inventors: Ernst Hammel, Klaus-Dieter Mauthner, Walter Briceta
  • Publication number: 20080268309
    Abstract: A controller for a reformer includes supply quantity changing means for changing the supply quantity of at least either one of combustible gas and combustion oxidizing gas supplied to a combustion section, a combustion state change detecting means for detecting a change which is caused in the combustion state of the combustion section as a result that the change of the supply quantity is brought by the supply quantity changing means, based on a detection result from the combustion state detecting means, and combustion state checking means for checking the combustion state which arose at the combustion section before the change brought by the supply quantity changing means, based on a detection result from the combustion state change detecting means. Thus, the gone-out state of the combustion section can be reliably judged with the construction of a low cost, and the combustion state of the combustion section in the reformer of a fuel cell system can be adjusted to an optimum combustion state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazumasa TAKADA, Norihiko TOYONAGA
  • Publication number: 20080268308
    Abstract: A fuel cell heating device (10) comprising a gas treatment unit (16) having an inlet line (14) for gas and an outlet line (36) for hydrogenous reformate, wherein the inlet line and the outlet line are linked together by a circulation line in order to re-feed the reformate back to the gas treatment unit, wherein the gas treatment unit has a reformer and a downstream gas purification system comprising an inlet line for air and a water trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Lutz Schilling, Philipp Klose, Christian Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20080263953
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for operating a reformed gas production apparatus with which it is possible to achieve a high reforming efficiency while preventing a drop in catalyst activity due to the deposition of carbon. The reformed gas production method uses a reforming catalyst to reform a fuel that contains a hydrocarbon having at least two carbon atoms to produce a reformed gas that includes methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. With this method, a fluid that includes the fuel, at least one of steam and a carbon dioxide-containing gas, and an oxygen-containing gas, is supplied to a reforming reaction region, and with the thermal decomposition index temperature of the fuel, which is determined by the type and the concentration of the hydrocarbons having at least two carbon atoms that make up the fuel, serving as an upper limit temperature of the reforming reaction region, the fluid is brought into contact with the reforming catalyst to produce the reformed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: OSAKA GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Kota Yokoyama, Naoki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080263955
    Abstract: A system (10) for producing a hydrogen enriched fuel includes a steam reformer (12) configured to produce an impure hydrogen-rich gas stream which includes a composition of hydrogen and impurities in selected quantities. The system (10) also includes a blending apparatus (14) configured to blend the impure hydrogen-rich gas stream with a hydrocarbon fuel in a predefined ratio. The system (10) can also include a compressor (16), a storage container (18), a fuel dispensing system (20) and a vehicle (22) having an engine (26) configured to burn the hydrogen enriched fuel. A method for producing the hydrogen enriched fuel includes the steps of producing the hydrogen-rich gas stream, and then blending the hydrogen-rich gas stream and the hydrocarbon fuel into the hydrogen enriched fuel at the predefined ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Franklin Earl Lynch, Roger W. Marmaro, Gregory J. Egan, Justin Fulton, Gregory Solomon
  • Patent number: 7442216
    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: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Childress, John R. Farrell, Wendell B. Leimbach, James W. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20080250715
    Abstract: A multiple stage apparatus and process using aerodynamic reactors and aero-coalescers in sequence for the selective capture and removal of purified carbon dioxide gas, the sequential capture and removal of mercury, metal and particulate aerosols by a recycling chemical generation-regeneration system using alkali metal chloride solution following multiple oxidations of mercury vapor, and nitric oxide in sequence, selective capture and removal of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide by two stage absorption by a recycling chemical generation-regeneration system using alkali metal hydroxide-carbonate-bicarbonate solution together with sequential oxidation to alkali metal sulfate and alkali metal nitrate compounds through evaporation and crystallization. Carbon dioxide capture and recovery is achieved in sequence by selective thermal decarbonation from an alkaline liquid followed by recovery as a purified gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: CEFCO, LLC
    Inventors: Hal B. H. Cooper, Robert E. Tang, Donald E. Degling, Thomas K. Ewan, Sam M. Ewan
  • Patent number: 7435274
    Abstract: There is disclosed a metal particle-dispersed composite oxide comprising a matrix material containing a composite oxide comprising a non-reducible metal oxide and an easily reducible metal oxide, the composite oxide containing 0.01 to 0.25 mol % of at least one additive metal selected from Al, Sc, Cr, B, Fe, Ga, In, Lu, Nb and Si, surface metal particles precipitated on an outer surface of the matrix material containing the composite oxide, and inner metal particles precipitated on an inner surface of the matrix material containing the composite oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seiichi Suenaga, Tomohiro Suetsuna, Takayuki Fukasawa, Yasuhiro Goto, Koichi Harada
  • Publication number: 20080244973
    Abstract: A reformer that produces reformed gas from a hydrocarbon material includes a reforming chamber having an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder; a reforming catalyst filled in the reforming chamber; a burner that heats the reforming catalyst and fuel of reformed gas; a combustion gas outer flow channel through which combustion gas of the burner flows along an outer side surface of the reforming chamber; a combustion gas inner flow channel through which the combustion gas of the burner flows along an inner side surface of the reforming chamber; and a plurality of return pipes as a reformed gas flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Higashino
  • Patent number: 7431746
    Abstract: A fuel reformer having an enclosure with first and second opposing surfaces, a sidewall connecting the first and second opposing surfaces and an inlet port and an outlet port in the sidewall. A plate assembly supporting a catalyst and baffles are also disposed in the enclosure. A main baffle extends into the enclosure from a point of the sidewall between the inlet and outlet ports. The main baffle cooperates with the enclosure and the plate assembly to establish a path for the flow of fuel gas through the reformer from the inlet port to the outlet port. At least a first directing baffle extends in the enclosure from one of the sidewall and the main baffle and cooperates with the plate assembly and the enclosure to alter the gas flow path. Desired graded catalyst loading pattern has been defined for optimized thermal management for the internal reforming high temperature fuel cells so as to achieve high cell performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiwen Ma, Ramakrishnan Venkataraman, Lawrence J. Novacco
  • Patent number: 7431898
    Abstract: A chemical reaction apparatus includes a solid body in which a reaction flow path is formed, and a heater having a thin-film heater formed on the body to oppose the reaction flow path and at least partially exposed to the reaction flow path, and which supplies a predetermined heat amount to the reaction flow path by the thin-film heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawamura, Naotsugu Ogura, Akira Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7419518
    Abstract: In a hydrogen generator according to the invention, a reformer temperature sensor detects the temperature of a reformer at a start of a stop operation of a hydrogen generator. In a controller, a processing and controlling portion compares the detected temperature with first to fourth reference temperatures pre-stored in a storage portion, and determines which of the following conditions is the temperature condition of the hydrogen generator at the stop; a first condition in which water condensation occurs, a second condition in which water condensation and carbon deposition are avoidable, a third condition in which carbon deposition occurs, a fourth condition in which disproportionation reaction occurs, and a fifth condition in which oxidization of catalyst occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Ukai, Kiyoshi Taguchi, Hidenobu Wakita, Seiji Fujihara, Yukimune Kani
  • Patent number: 7416570
    Abstract: A body of a hydrogen generator includes a reformer configured to generate a reformed gas mainly containing hydrogen, a material passage configured to supply a reforming material, which is a material for a reforming reaction, to the reformer, a shifter configured to convert CO contained in a reformed gas obtained from the reformer into CO2, a reformed gas passage configured to supply the reformed gas obtained from the reformer to the shifter, and a passage for the shifted gas obtained from the shifter. The shifted gas passage and the material passage are adjacent to each other with a shared horizontal wall interposed therebetween, and thereby, heat from the shifted gas and radiant heat from the downstream end face of the shifter are transferred to the reforming material that travels in the material passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Suzuki, Tomonori Asou, Yuji Mukai, Kunihiro Ukai, Akira Maenishi
  • Patent number: 7416572
    Abstract: According to an apparatus and method for determining degradation of a reforming catalyst degradation which reforms a mixture of air and fuel, in a reformer that supplies a reformate gas to an engine of a vehicle, a temperature sensor detects a temperature of a reforming reaction portion in which is provided a reforming catalyst. An ECU then determines the extent of degradation of the reforming catalyst based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Wakao, Kazuhiro Sakurai, Takaaki Itou, Hiroki Ichinose
  • Publication number: 20080193346
    Abstract: A compact catalytic reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (50) comprises a reactor module (70) defining a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately, for carrying a gas mixture, and a coolant respectively. A removable gas-permeable catalyst structure (82) with a substrate for example of metal foil is provided in each flow channel in which the synthesis reaction is to occur. The reactor module (70) is enclosed within a pressure vessel (90), the pressure within the pressure vessel being arranged to be at a pressure substantially that of the high pressure reacting gas mixture. Consequently all the flow channels within the module are either at the pressure of their surroundings, or are under compression; no parts are under tension. This simplifies the design of the module, and increases the proportion of reactor volume which can be occupied by the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: John Vitucci, Michael Joseph Bowe
  • Patent number: 7410531
    Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, and fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices. In some embodiments, the fuel processing systems and the hydrogen purification membranes include a metal membrane, which is at least substantially comprised of palladium or a palladium alloy. In some embodiments, the membrane contains trace amounts of carbon, silicon, and/or oxygen. In some embodiments, the membranes form part of a hydrogen purification device that includes an enclosure containing a separation assembly, which is adapted to receive a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and to produce a stream that contains pure or at least substantially pure hydrogen gas therefrom. In some embodiments, the membrane(s) and/or purification device forms a portion of a fuel processor, and in some embodiments, the membrane(s) and/or purification device forms a portion of a fuel processing or fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Patent number: 7410515
    Abstract: A reformer is provided which includes a micro reactor having a flow path for a fluid. A container accommodates the micro reactor and keeps an atmosphere on a periphery of the micro reactor at a pressure of not more than 1 Pa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keishi Takeyama, Osamu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7410622
    Abstract: A reactor is proposed for partial oxidations of a fluid reaction mixture in the presence of a heterogeneous particulate catalyst, comprising one or more cuboidal thermoplate modules (1) which are each formed from two or more rectangular thermoplates (2) arranged parallel to each other while in each case leaving a gap (3) which can be filled with the heterogeneous particulate catalyst and is flowed through by the fluid reaction mixture; the heat of reaction being absorbed by a heat carrier which flows through the thermoplates (2) and thus at least partly evaporates, and also having a predominantly cylindrical shell (4, 15, 16) which releases the pressure at the thermoplate modules, completely surrounds them and comprises a cylinder jacket (4) and hoods (15, 16) which seal it at both ends and whose longitudinal axis is aligned parallel to the plane of the thermoplates (2), and also having one or more sealing elements (7, 23) which are arranged in such a way that the fluid reaction mixture, apart from flowing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Olbert, Claus Hechler
  • Publication number: 20080188698
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of acetylene and synthesis gas by partial thermal oxidation in a reactor which has a burner having passages, wherein the starting materials to be reacted are rapidly and completely mixed only immediately before the flame reaction zone in the passages of the burner, a mean flow rate which exceeds the flame propagation velocities under the given reaction conditions being established in the mixing zone within the passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Bartenbach, Kai Rainer Ehrhardt, Arne Hoffmann, Frank Kleine Jager
  • Patent number: 7399327
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Steven G. Goebel
  • Patent number: 7399326
    Abstract: A fuel processor system is provided including an autothermal reactor (ATR), a pressure swing adsorber (PSA) located downstream of the ATR, and a methanation reactor located downstream of the PSA. A method of operating of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack involves cooling the methanator output and feeding it into the stack as an anode fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, John Ruhl, Annette M Brenner, Craig S Gittleman
  • Patent number: 7390337
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel gasification furnace including a gasification chamber (1) for fluidizing a high-temperature fluidizing medium therein to form a gasification chamber fluidized bed having an interface, and for gasifying a fuel in the gasification chamber fluidized bed, a char combustion chamber (2) for fluidizing a high-temperature fluidizing medium therein to form a char combustion chamber fluidized bed having an interface, and for combusting char generated by gasification in the gasification chamber (1) in the char combustion chamber fluidized bed to heat the fluidizing medium, and a first energy recovery device (109) for using gases generated by the gasification chamber (1) as a fuel. The gasification chamber (1) and the char combustion chamber (2) are integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Miyoshi, Seiichiro Toyoda, Shugo Hosoda, Nobutaka Kashima, Katsutoshi Naruse, Katsuyuki Aoki, Shinji Sekikawa, Shuichi Nagato, Hiroshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7387651
    Abstract: A fuel reforming device for reforming an air-fuel mixture includes a mixing chamber to which fuel and air are introduced and which is composed such that an air-fuel mixture flows upward; a reforming reaction chamber which is arranged downstream of the mixing chamber and which includes a reforming catalyst that reforms the air-fuel mixture; an inclined surface for recovering the fuel which has not reached the inside of the reforming reaction chamber; and a fuel recovery pipe and a fuel recovery pump which are used for re-introducing unvaporized fuel and the like collected by the inclined surface to the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sakurai, Kazuhiro Wakao
  • Patent number: 7387650
    Abstract: A fuel cell power generation system, equipped with a fuel reforming device and a fuel cell body, includes valves, pipelines, a condenser, and a pump for feeding a burner exhaust gas (raw gas) discharged from a heating burner of the fuel reforming device into the fuel reforming device, and an inert gas formation device including an oxidizable and reducible oxygen adsorbent, which is disposed in the pipelines, and adsorbs oxygen in the burner exhaust gas to remove oxygen from the burner exhaust gas and form an inert gas. The fuel cell power generation system can reliably remove residual matter, without leaving it within the fuel reforming device, in a simple manner at a low cost and with a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Setsuo Omoto, Naohiko Ishibashi, Keiji Fujikawa, Hirohisa Yoshida, Masami Kondo, Shigeru Nojima, Toshinobu Yasutake, Satoru Watanabe, Masanao Yonemura
  • Patent number: 7380413
    Abstract: A method for simultaneously producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by subjecting synthesis gas to a decarbonation in a decarbonation unit, and to desiccation in a desiccation unit. After the decarbonation and the desiccation, the remaining synthesis gas components are cryogenically separated and a hydrogen-enriched gas is recycled upstream from the decarbonation unit and downstream from synthesis gas producing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Eric Dumont, Antoine Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7381229
    Abstract: A system for reacting fuel and air into reformate, with a reformer (10) which has a reaction space (12), a nozzle (14) which at least in part is formed as a Venturi nozzle for supply of a fuel/air mixture to the reaction space (12), the Venturi nozzle part has a small diameter area (16) from which a diffuser extends to the reaction space. A first gas supply means (20) is provided on the side of the small diameter area which side faces away from the diffuser, and second gas supply means (26, 28) are provide at the small diameter area. A fuel supply (22) is also provided for supplying fuel to the nozzle and it preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Enerday GmbH
    Inventor: Jeremy Lawrence