Abstract: A device generating hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, oxygen and water. The reaction is carried out at high temperature. The device includes a first substantially cylindrical zone surrounding the reaction chamber circulates water vapor and hydrocarbon, excluding the reaction products, the zone being separated from the reaction chamber to recover heat lost by the reaction chamber, to preheat the mixture circulating in the first zone. The reagent(s) are in contact with the walls of said first zone to exchange produce heat. A substantially cylindrical second zone surrounds the first zone and circulates water to be vaporized, the water is in contact with the walls of said second zone. The first and second zones are separated such that water circulating in the second zone is preheated by heat of the first zone where the water of the second zone is mixed with the hydrocarbon and introduced into the first zone.

Abstract: A device generating hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, oxygen and water. The reaction is carried out at high temperature. The device includes a first substantially cylindrical zone surrounding the reaction chamber circulates water vapour and hydrocarbon, excluding the reaction products, the zone being separated from the reaction chamber to recover heat lost by the reaction chamber, to preheat the mixture circulating in the first zone. The reagent(s) are in contact with the walls of said first zone to exchange produce heat. A substantially cylindrical second zone surrounds the first zone and circulates water to be vaporized, the water is in contact with the walls of said second zone. The first and second zones are separated such that water circulating in the second zone is preheated by heat of the first zone where the water of the second zone is mixed with the hydrocarbon and introduced into the first zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used to produce hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, obtaining high energy efficiency and generating low levels of carbon dioxide and pollutants. The inventive device comprises (a) a conversion reactor which is used to convert the aforementioned hydrocarbons using water vapour. According to the invention, pure or almost pure oxygen is fed into the reactor in order to oxidize one part of the hydrocarbons and to provide the heat necessary to convert virtually all of the other part of the hydrocarbons into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The device also comprises: (b) means of pre-heating the hydrocarbons, the oxygen flow and the water to be vaporized; (c) at least one heat exchanger which is used to cool the conversion product in order to recovery a fraction of the thermal energy of said conversion product; and (d) hydrogen-enrichment equipment.