Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a hydrogen rich gas stream at a high pressure for use by hydrogen vehicles or other devices requiring hydrogen rich feed streams are disclosed in the present invention. As the pressure of gaseous hydrogen is increased, the temperature of the gaseous hydrogen also increases due to the heat of compression. The apparatus and method of the present invention utilize localized cooling via a vortex tube to cool the gaseous hydrogen caused by the increase in pressure.

Abstract: In order to increase the hydrogen utilization rate of the cascade storage system, after dispensing gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen vehicle, gaseous hydrogen is transferred via a compressor from at least one storage vessel at a lower pressure to at least one storage vessel at a higher, dispensable pressure. The methods of the present invention economically and efficiently increase the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system by managing the storage of gaseous hydrogen and increasing the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a synthesis gas suitable for feeding to a suitable hydrocarbon production reactor, such as a Fischer Tropsch reactor is described. According to one aspect, the process and apparatus utilize heat exchangers that thermally integrate the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, e.g., combustion, are arranged closely to the heat sinks, e.g., cool methane, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermal integration eliminates excess piping throughout, reduces initial capital and operating costs, provides built-in passive temperature control, and improves synthesis gas production efficiencies.

Abstract: In order to increase the hydrogen utilization rate of the cascade storage system, after dispensing gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen vehicle, gaseous hydrogen is transferred via a compressor from at least one storage vessel at a lower pressure to at least one storage vessel at a higher, dispensable pressure. The methods of the present invention economically and efficiently increase the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system by managing the storage of gaseous hydrogen and increasing the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a hydrogen-enriched reformate. The apparatus includes a fuel processor for converting a fuel to a reformate having fluctuations in pressure and or flow rate, means for reducing the fluctuations, a compression unit for compressing the reformate and one or more of a purification unit and a storage unit downstream of a compression unit. Means for reducing the fluctuations in the reformate can include one or more of a buffer and a conduit for providing a controlled flow of a supplemental fluid to an inlet of the compression unit. The supplemental fluid can include the compressed reformate, a hydrogen-enriched reformate, and mixtures thereof. The apparatus can include means for regulating power to the compression unit that can incrementally increase power to the compression unit particularly during start up. The purification unit can include one or more of a hydrogen selective membrane and a pressure swing adsorption unit. Methods for producing hydrogen are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for accurately and conveniently calculating the temperature of gaseous hydrogen during vehicle fueling are disclosed. The metered amount of hydrogen added to the on-board storage tank, the ambient conditions, The pressure measured at the dispenser, and a correlation to account for heat transfer are the inputs to the methods of the present invention. These inputs eliminate the need for obtaining temperature and pressure information from the vehicle which is out of the control of the dispenser and/or energy provider. In addition, the use of the equation of the present invention does not require the fill rate to be limited and the corresponding fill time to be extended.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a synthesis gas suitable for feeding to a suitable hydrocarbon production reactor, such as a Fischer Tropsch reactor is described. According to one aspect, the process and apparatus utilize heat exchangers that thermally integrate the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, e.g., combustion, are arranged closely to the heat sinks, e.g., cool methane, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermal integration eliminates excess piping throughout, reduces initial capital and operating costs, provides built-in passive temperature control, and improves synthesis gas production efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for managing the storage of gaseous hydrogen and increasing the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system. In order to increase the hydrogen utilization rate of the cascade storage system, after dispensing gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen vehicle, gaseous hydrogen is transferred via a compressor from at least one storage vessel at a lower pressure to at least one storage vessel at a higher, dispensable pressure. The methods of the present invention economically and efficiently increase the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system.

Abstract: In the present invention, a cascade storage system for gaseous hydrogen including a variable switch point is disclosed. The variable switch point allows the cascade storage system to quickly dispense gaseous hydrogen to fill hydrogen vehicles in addition to increasing the utilization of gaseous hydrogen in the cascade storage system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a hydrogen rich gas stream at a high pressure for use by hydrogen vehicles or other devices requiring hydrogen rich feed streams are disclosed in the present invention. As the pressure of gaseous hydrogen is increased, the temperature of the gaseous hydrogen also increases due to the heat of compression. The apparatus and method of the present invention utilize localized cooling via a vortex tube to cool the gaseous hydrogen caused by the increase in pressure.