Abstract: Provided is a powder fuel supply apparatus comprising a distributor (84) that branches supplied powder fuel to a plurality of branch tubes (82), a plurality of burners (126a) connected to downstream ends (82a) of the plurality of branch tubes (82), respectively, to supply char into a gasification furnace that gasifies the powder fuel, a flow nozzle (85) provided in each of the plurality of branch tubes (82), to apply pressure loss to char flow in the branch tube (82), a differential pressure gauge (86) that measures a differential pressure generated by the flow nozzle (85), and a control unit that determines decrease in flow velocity of the char flow based on the differential pressure obtained by the differential pressure gauge (86).

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen generation furnace using decomposition of biomass steam, which employs an infrared source and a furnace body with a water-accommodating structure. A steam separation-drying device is cylindrical and provided at an upper part of an interior of the furnace body and a cavity of the steam separation-drying device forms a secondary gasifier. A lattice plate is provided at a bottom of the interior of the furnace body. A lattice combustion grate is provided above a middle of the lattice plate. A steam distributor is provided outside a lower part of the furnace body. The furnace of the invention performs gasified gas separation as well as secondary oxidation and gasification and mixes steam with gas generated from biomass to perform a decomposition reaction for generating hydrogen.

Abstract: A process and system for cooling syngas provides effective syngas cooling and results in reduced levels of fouling in syngas cooling equipment. A process for cooling syngas includes blending syngas with cooled recycled syngas in an amount effective for providing a blended syngas with a temperature at an inlet of a syngas cooler of about 600° F. to about 1400° F. The blended syngas changes direction of flow at least once prior to the inlet of the syngas cooler.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems for using an expander. In a first embodiment, a system includes a flow path and a gasification section disposed along the flow path. The gasification section is configured to convert a feedstock into a syngas. The system also includes a scrubber disposed directly downstream of the gasification section and configured to filter the syngas. The system also includes a first expander disposed along the flow path directly downstream from the scrubber and configured to expand the syngas. The syngas comprises an untreated syngas.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tunable catalytic gasifier systems suitable for gasifying coal, biomass, and other fuel sources. The gasifier reactors of the disclosed systems may be heated by, e.g., a catalytic tube or other jacket that generates heat by catalytically combusting syngas, which syngas may be syngas produced by the gasifier system.

Abstract: A gasification system including a gasifier, a feed injector, and a fuel feed system that includes a first feed line, a second feed line, and a controller that includes a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the first feed line to supply a fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to supply oxygen into the feed injector, receive instructions to add a slurry to the gasifier, prevent the first feed line from supplying the fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the first feed line to supply the slurry into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to simultaneously supply the oxygen and the inert gas into the feed injector, and prevent the second feed line from supplying the inert gas into the feed injector.

Abstract: A method for controlling the peak temperature of a fluid gasification zone used for the gasification of carbonaceous materials to a syngas. Pulsed oxygen is used to control the peak temperature of the gasification zone and to avoid hot spots in the gasifier.

Abstract: In a reforming apparatus, for use in a fuel cell, for reforming a raw fuel into a hydrogen-rich reformed gas, a reformer generates the reformed gas from the raw fuel. A shift reactor reduces carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas through a shift reaction. A selective oxidation unit reduces the carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas that has passed through the shift reactor by performing selective oxidation on the carbon monoxide. A reforming reaction tube houses linearly the reformer, the shift reactor and the selective oxidation unit in this order.

Abstract: A gasifier includes a combustion zone where a gas is introduced and fuel is combusted and at least one sensor for measuring a predetermined condition in the gasifier. A grate subsystem contains the fuel and includes at least one grinding mechanism. A controller is responsive to the at least one sensor and controls the grinding mechanism by activating the grinding mechanism if the predetermined condition exists to reduce the collection of non-fuel products on the grate subsystem.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method. The cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method involve a chamber having a first portion proximal to a first end and a second portion proximal to a second end, introducing a first fuel to the first portion of the chamber, introducing a second fuel to the chamber; and introducing a first oxidant to accelerate the velocity of the first fuel and swirl the first fuel from the first portion toward the second portion.

Abstract: In a reactor for gasification of entrained solid and liquid fuels at temperatures between 1,200 and 1,900° C. and at pressures between ambient pressure and 10 MPa using an oxidizing agent containing free oxygen, the cooling screen is connected to the pressure shell in a gastight manner via a sliding seal in order to allow length changes. Continuous gas purging of the annular gap between pressure shell and cooling screen is unnecessary and gasification gas is prevented from flowing behind.

Abstract: In a reactor for the gasification of solid and liquid fuels in the entrained flow at temperatures between 1200 and 1900° C. and pressures between ambient pressure and 10 MPa with an oxidizing agent containing free oxygen, the cooling screen is connected in a gas-tight manner to the pressure shell via a bellows compensator to accommodate linear deformation. Continuous sweeping by gas of the annular gap between pressure shell and cooling screen is unnecessary and backflow by producer gas is prevented.

Abstract: A system for reforming diesel fuel into hydrogen including feeds for water and diesel fuel, a supercritical water (SCW) reactor in fluid communication with the water feed and the diesel fuel, at least one pre-heater in thermal communication with the water feed, the diesel fuel feed that is configured to heat water from the water feed and diesel fuel from the diesel fuel feed to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the critical temperature of water before the water and the diesel fuel are mixed, a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor, and a hydrogen capturing system, where the SCW reactor reforms the diesel fuel into a synthesis gas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and outputs the synthesis gas, the synthesis gas output by the SCW reactor is fed into the WGS reactor which converts the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydrogen and outputs an output gas including a higher percentage of hydrogen to carbon monoxide compared to the synthesis gas, and the hydrogen in the output ga

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a reforming apparatus and the like capable of uniformly mixing water (steam) and a raw material together, of preventing the precipitation of carbon without using a temperature controller, and of efficiently heating the water and the mixture by heating gas. Accordingly, the reforming apparatus has the following configuration. The reforming apparatus includes: a first vaporizer (05) that is cylindrically shaped and includes a first flow passage; a second vaporizer (06) that is cylindrically shaped and includes a second flow passage; a duct (027) that connects an outlet of the first flow passage to an inlet of the second flow passage; a raw-material mixing portion (028) formed at a certain point of the duct. The first vaporizer and the second vaporizer are concentrically disposed. An interstice between the first vaporizer and the second vaporizer serves as a heating-gas flow passage (024).

Abstract: Methods and systems for a gasifier having a partial moderator bypass are provided. The gasifier includes a partial oxidation reactor including an inlet and an outlet and a primary reaction zone extending therebetween, the partial oxidation reactor configured to direct a flow of products of partial oxidation including fuel gases, gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation, and unburned carbon, and a secondary reaction chamber coupled in flow communication with the partial oxidation reactor, the secondary reaction chamber is configured to mix a flow of moderator with the flow of gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation and unburned carbon such that a concentration of fuel gases is increased.

Abstract: A controlled zone gasification reactor with an agitator drive assembly for a plasma assisted gasification reaction system is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels with in the fuel. The agitator drive assembly may include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The syngas separation chamber may feed syngas downstream to a syngas heater in a pyrolysis reaction zone in the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A controlled zone gasification reactor for a plasma assisted gasification reaction system is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The system may be a modular system housed within a frame facilitating relatively easy transportation. The system may include a reactor vessel with distinct reaction zones that facilitate greater control and a more efficient system. The system may include a syngas heater channeling syngas collected downstream of the carbon layer support and to the pyrolysis reaction zone. The system may also include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The system may further include an agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels with in the fuel.

Abstract: The invention has its object to arbitrarily adjust an amount of particles to be circulated without changing a flow rate of a gasification agent to thereby enhance gasification efficiency in a fluidized bed gasification furnace. The fluidized bed gasification furnace 107 comprises first and second chambers 113 and 114 in communication with each other in a fluidized bed 105. The hot particles 102 separated in the separator 104 and raw material M are introduced into the first chamber 113. The particles 102 introduced from the first chamber 113 through interior in the fluidized bed 105 to the second chamber 114 are supplied in an overflow manner to the fluidized bed combustion furnace 100.

Abstract: The invention concerns an exchanger-reactor (1) comprising: a vessel (2); means for distributing a feed through a fixed bed catalytic zone (10); means (6) for collecting effluent from the catalytic zone (10); means for heating the catalytic zone (10); in which said collection means (6) comprise conduits passing right through the catalytic zone (10), said conduits being distributed in the catalytic zone and interposed between the heating means, and in which the heating means of the catalytic zone are contained in sheaths (8) which are partially immersed in the catalytic zone (10), the sheaths (8) being open at one of their ends and closed at the other, the open end being fixed to an upper tube plate (21) defining the collection chamber (19) which is located above the catalytic zone (10), said heating means comprising at least one combustion zone (13) located close to the catalytic zone, means for supplying said combustion zone (13) with an oxidizing gas mixture (15) and with a gaseous fuel (17), and means

Abstract: A gasification reactor vessel comprising a combustion chamber in the upper half of the vessel, provided with a product gas outlet at the bottom end of the combustion chamber, at least two burner openings are present in the wall of the combustion chamber, which burner openings are located at the same horizontal level and are positioned diametrical relative to each other and wherein in each burner opening a burner is present, wherein between the wall of the combustion chamber and the wall of vessel an annular space is provided, wherein the wall of the combustion chamber comprises an arrangement of interconnected tubes (vertical arranged or helical coiled), wherein the product gas outlet at the bottom end of the combustion chamber is fluidly connected to a dip-tube, which partly is submerged in a water bath located at the lower end of the reactor vessel, and wherein at the upper end of the dip-tube means are present to add a quenching medium to the, in use, downwardly flowing mixture of hydrogen and carbon monox

Abstract: A carbon monoxide remover includes a reactor body having an inner space, and a catalyst provided in the inner space of the reactor body to react with the reforming gas. A diffusion unit is installed at an inlet portion of the reactor body for introducing the reforming gas to diffuse the reforming gas over the entire area of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing methane (69) from a carbonaceous (22) material includes conveying pulverized carbonaceous material (28) entrained in an inert carrier fluid, such as carbon dioxide (36), into a reactor (34). The reactor (34) includes a vortex region (72) for receiving hydrogen gas (38) and imparting a swirling motion to the hydrogen gas (38). The pulverized carbonaceous material (28) is exposed to the swirling stream of hydrogen gas (38) in a first reaction zone (114) within the reactor (34) to form an exit gas (40) that includes methane (69). Remaining unreacted carbonaceous material (28) is further exposed to the hydrogen gas (38) in a second, low velocity, reaction zone (120). The methane rich exit gas (40) is subsequently extracted from the reactor (34) for further processing.

Abstract: A supercritical water reformer (SCWR) and methods for using supercritical water to convert hydrocarbons, particularly hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel fuel or gasoline, into carbonaceous gases and hydrogen. The synthesis gas stream generated by the fuel reforming reaction can then be further refined to increase hydrogen content, and the resultant hydrogen can be utilized to power fuel cells.

Abstract: A gasifier combines two reactors using externally generated preheated high temperature steam injection into the first reactor, where the heating demand for gasification is supplied by the sensible energy from the steam. The gasifier can produce a medium and higher LCV syngas. The first reactor is a fixed bed gasification section where the coarse feedstock is gasified, and the second reactor is an entrained-bed gasification section where the liquid and fine feedstock is gasified. Solid coarse feedstock is devolatilized in the first fixed bed reactor of the gasifier with high-temperature steam, and subsequently, in the second reactor subjected to a higher temperature sufficient to crack and destroy tars and oils. Activated carbon may be formed as co-product. The gasifier may be used with various solid and liquid feedstocks. The gasifier is capable of gasifying such different feedstocks simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing hydrogen with reforming catalysts. The reforming catalysts may be platinum group metals on a support material, and they may be located in a reforming reaction zone of a primary reactor. The support material may be an oxidic support having a ceria and zirconia promoter, or may include a neodymium stabilizer. The support material may also include at least one Group IA, Group IIA, manganese, or iron metal promoter. The primary reactor may have a first and second reforming reaction zones, where upstream catalysts located in the first reforming reaction zone and downstream catalysts located in the second reforming reaction zone may be selected to perform optimally under the conditions in their respective reforming reaction zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing hydrogen gas with a fuel processing system that includes a hydrogen-producing region that produces hydrogen gas from a feed stream and a heating assembly that consumes a fuel stream to produce a heated exhaust stream for heating the hydrogen-producing region. In some embodiments, the heating assembly heats the hydrogen-producing region to at least a minimum hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the feed stream and the fuel stream both contain a carbon-containing feedstock and at least 25 wt % water. In some embodiments, at least one of the feed and fuel streams contain at least one additional component. In some embodiments, the feed and fuel streams have the same composition. In some embodiments, the feed and fuel streams are drawn or obtained from a common source or supply, and in some embodiments as a liquid stream that is selectively apportioned to form the feed and fuel streams.

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.

Abstract: A reformer includes a burner that generates thermal energy, and a reforming reaction unit that is supplied with thermal energy from the burner to generate a hydrogen-rich gas from a fuel, wherein the burner includes a burner main body having first and second portions that are constructed by bending the burner main body to form bended portions and coupling the bended portions together, wherein the burner main body is disposed in an inner portion of the reforming reaction unit, and wherein a first catalyst is filled in an inner portion of the burner main body.

Abstract: A man portable hydrogen source, the source comprising one or more hydrogen generating elements, an ignition control system and a pressure vessel. Each hydrogen generating element comprises a pellet holder provided with one or more recesses and a thermal insulation layer to reduce heat transfer to adjacent hydrogen generating elements; wherein at least one recess contains a pellet of a chemical mixture which on thermal decomposition evolves hydrogen gas; wherein the ignition control system comprises one or more igniters, associated with an individual pellet, and activation means to activate the igniters; and wherein the evolved hydrogen and hydrogen generating elements are contained within the pressure vessel.

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.

Abstract: A reactor intended to carry out partial oxidation reactions starting from liquid feedstocks that can go from GPL to gas oil for the purpose of producing synthesis gas is characterized by finely controlled hydrodynamics and a high degree of thermal integration, and comprises an elongated jacket along an axis of any orientation, means (12) for supplying a preheated gas that contains oxygen and optionally water vapor, means (9) for supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock, means (11) for evacuation of a hydrogen-rich effluent, a first internal chamber (5) inside of which is carried out an essentially isothermal partial oxidation reaction that is connected to means (9) for supplying the hydrocarbon feedstock and to means (12) for supplying preheated gas, gas turbulizing means that are suitable for creating a perfect mixing flow, means (8) for linking first chamber (5) to a second chamber (7) with a suitable volume for carrying out a piston flow, linking means (8) that comprise at least one orifice, and second chamber (7

Abstract: A method for producing methane (69) from a carbonaceous (22) material includes conveying pulverized carbonaceous material (28) entrained in an inert carrier fluid, such as carbon dioxide (36), into a reactor (34). The reactor (34) includes a vortex region (72) for receiving hydrogen gas (38) and imparting a swirling motion to the hydrogen gas (38). The pulverized carbonaceous material (28) is exposed to the swirling stream of hydrogen gas (38) in a first reaction zone (114) within the reactor (34) to form an exit gas (40) that includes methane (69). Remaining unreacted carbonaceous material (28) is further exposed to the hydrogen gas (38) in a second, low velocity, reaction zone (120). The methane rich exit gas (40) is subsequently extracted from the reactor (34) for further processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for decomposing ammonia in a gasifier are provided. The system includes a gasifier including a pressure vessel and an injection nozzle extending through the pressure vessel and including a nozzle tip at a distal end of the injection nozzle, the injection nozzle further includes a passage configured to direct a fluid stream including ammonia proximate the nozzle tip such that the fluid stream including ammonia facilitates reducing a temperature of at least a portion of the nozzle tip.

Abstract: A system for production of hydrogen comprises at least one steam reforming zone configured to receive a first fuel and steam to produce a first reformate gas stream comprising hydrogen using a steam reforming process. The system further comprises a mixed reforming zone configured to receive an oxidant to produce a second reformate gas stream comprising hydrogen, wherein the first reformate gas stream is sent to the mixed reforming zone to complete the reforming process.

Abstract: A plasma-assisted waste gasification system and process for converting waste stream reaction residues into a clean synthesis gas (syngas) is disclosed. The feedstock is fed into a reactor roughly one-third from the bottom through the use of a feed mechanism. The reactor has three zones; a bottom zone where melting occurs, a middle zone where gasification takes place, and a top zone with integrated plasma torches to control the temperature and polish the syngas. The residence times in the three zones are selected to optimize the syngas composition and melted products. The syngas leaves the reactor and is partially quenched with relatively cooler synthesis gas. The partially quenched syngas is further cooled to recover heat for steam generation and/or preheating the waste stream to the reactor. The cold syngas is then processed to remove pollutants. The clean synthesis gas is combusted in power generation equipment to generate electricity, or converted to other fuels by chemical processes.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: This invention is a reactor and a process for the conversion of organic waste material such as municipal trash, sewage, post-consumer refuse, and biomass to commercially salable materials. The invention produces the following: 1. Maximum energy conversion from the organic material 2. High volume consumption of the organic feed material 3. Less pollution of gaseous products than prior art systems 4. Solid residuals for disposal are minimal and non-hazardous. The conversion is accomplished by combining anaerobic gasification and pyrolysis of the feed organic material and making it into synthetic gas. The synthetic gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons (CxHy), hydrogen, and carbon monoxide with small amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. An essential feature of the invention is a hot driver gas, devoid of free oxygen and rich in water, which supplies the entire thermal and chemical energy needed for the reactions.

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.

Abstract: A man portable hydrogen source, the source comprising one or more hydrogen generating elements (2), an ignition control system (3) and a pressure vessel (1). Each hydrogen generating element comprises a pellet holder (7) provided with one or more recesses and a thermal insulation layer (9) to reduce heat transfer to adjacent hydrogen generating elements; wherein at least one recess contains a pellet (8) of a chemical mixture which on thermal decomposition evolves hydrogen gas; wherein the ignition control system comprises one or more ignitors (14), associated with an individual pellet (8), and activation means to activate the ignitors; and wherein the evolved hydrogen and hydrogen generating elements are contained within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: An autothermal reformer is provided for a fuel cell system utilizing one volume and a plurality of inlets for both start-up and normal operation. In start-up mode, thermal combustion is employed for heating the catalyst reformation section of the reformer. Two inlets are used to feed air and fuel into the system, which are mixed and ignited in the common volume. Once the catalyst has reached light-off temperature, a second set of inlets provide air, steam and fuel into the common volume. The mixture then passes into the catalytic reformation system.

Abstract: A compact steam reformer produces hydrogen to power a fuel cell, such as can be used in a vehicle. The steam reformer includes a first channel, at least partly coated with a steam reforming catalyst, and a second channel, at least partly coated with a combustion catalyst, the channels being in thermal contact with each other. Heat from the combustion is used in the steam reforming reaction. In another embodiment, the gas streams feeding the reforming and combustion channels pass through a valve which reverses the gas streams periodically. The combustion channel becomes the reforming channel, and vice versa, so that carbon deposits in the former reforming channel are burned off. This arrangement enables the reforming reaction to continue indefinitely at peak efficiency.

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 a common reaction chamber. The multi-step process includes: providing a fuel to the fuel processor so that as the fuel reacts and forms the hydrogen rich gas, the intermediate gas products pass through each reaction zone as arranged in the reactor to produce the hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: A hydrogen-rich reformate gas generator (36), such as a mini-CPO, POX, ATR or other hydrogen generator provides warm, dry, hydrogen-rich reformate gas to a hydrogen desulfurizer (17) which provides desulfurized feedstock gas to a major reformer (14) (such as a CPO) which, after processing in a water-gas shift reactor (26) and preferential CO oxidizer (27) produces hydrogen-containing reformate in a line (31) for use, for instance, as fuel for a fuel cell power plant. The expensive prior art hydrogen blower (30) is thereby eliminated, thus reducing parasitic power losses in the power plant. The drier reformate provided by the small hydrogen generator to the hydrogen desulfurizer favors hydrogen sulfide adsorption on zinc oxide and helps to reduce sulfur to the parts per billion level.

Abstract: An auxiliary reactor for use with a reformer reactor having at least one reaction zone, and including a burner for burning fuel and creating a heated auxiliary reactor gas stream, and heat exchanger for transferring heat from auxiliary reactor gas stream and heat transfer medium, preferably two-phase water, to reformer reaction zone. Auxiliary reactor may include first cylindrical wall defining a chamber for burning fuel and creating a heated auxiliary reactor gas stream, the chamber having an inlet end, an outlet end, a second cylindrical wall surrounding first wall and a second annular chamber there between. The reactor being configured so heated auxiliary reactor gas flows out the outlet end and into and through second annular chamber and conduit which is disposed in second annular chamber, the conduit adapted to carry heat transfer medium and being connectable to reformer reaction zone for additional heat exchange.

Abstract: A hydrogen producing apparatus comprising: a reforming section having a reforming catalyst which causes a reaction between a carbon-containing organic compound as a feedstock and water; a feedstock supply section for supplying the feedstock to the reforming section; a water supply section for supplying water to the reforming section; a heating section for heating the reforming catalyst; a shifting section having a shift catalyst which causes a shift reaction between carbon monoxide and water contained in a reformed gas supplied from the reforming section; and a purifying section having a purifying catalyst which causes oxidation or methanation of carbon monoxide contained in a gas supplied from the shifting section, wherein the shift catalyst comprises a platinum group metal and a metal oxide.

Abstract: A reactor system including a reactor housing having an inlet portion defined at one end of the housing and having a discharge opening formed in the housing at an opposite end. An air intake charge line is connected to the housing for charging air into the inlet portion. A steam charge line is connected to the housing for charging steam into the inlet portion. A fuel injector is positioned in the housing for injecting fuel into the stream of air and steam flowing through the housing. A fuel charge line is connected to the fuel injector for charging a carbon-based fuel into the injector. A catalyst bed is carried in the housing and positioned downstream of the fuel injector and at least a portion of the catalyst bed includes a catalyst for promoting the reformation of the carbon-based fuel to produce hydrogen. An auto-ignition suppression and carbon-suppression foam is carried in the housing and positioned between the catalyst bed and the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fast light-off catalytic reformer and method includes at least one preferably substantially cylindrical reactor tube having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within the reactor tube for converting the fuel and air to a reformate stream, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device disposed within the reactor tube initiates an exothermic reaction between the fuel and air. Heat generated thereby provides fast light-off of the reforming catalyst. An associated control system selects fuel and air flow delivery rates and operates the ignition device to achieve fast light-off of the reforming catalyst at start-up and to maintain the catalyst at a temperature sufficient to optimize reformate yield. The rapid production of high yields of reformate is particularly suitable for use in an on-board reforming strategy for meeting SULEV emissions with spark-ignition engines, especially with larger, higher emitting vehicles.

Abstract: A fuel processor assembly that contains a device for supplying a high voltage electric discharge, a first catalytic body, and a second catalytic body. The two catalytic bodies have different shapes and properties.