Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: A system for recycling vented atmosphere gas discharged from a heat treatment chamber utilizing a protective atmosphere gas therein. The system includes an atmosphere recycling apparatus configured to receive the vented atmosphere gas. The atmosphere recycling apparatus includes a gas separator configured to separate the vented atmosphere gas into a purified atmosphere gas stream and an impure stream. The atmosphere recycling apparatus is configured to feed the purified atmosphere gas stream to the heat treatment chamber. A storage vessel can be provided to receive the purified atmosphere gas stream from the atmosphere recycling apparatus, and configured to supplement an atmosphere gas supply to the heat treatment chamber with the purified atmosphere gas stream.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system including a plurality of vessels having one or more layers of adsorbent material therein, a feed gas channel, a waste channel, and a product channel. The system also includes at least one parallel channel connected to each of the vessels via a respective conduit with a valve. At least one pressure measuring device i configured to measure a pressure within the parallel channel. And, a controller is provided that is configured to monitor the at least one pressure measured by the at least one pressure measuring device during a PSA cycle performed within the PSA system, in order to determine the performance of the cycle and monitor proper operation of the system.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process including the step of separating a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in an adsorbent mass provided within each vessel of a plurality of vessels. The separating step has a single pressure equalization cycle. The separating step is preferably performed with only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels. Additionally, a pressure swing adsorption system of the invention includes a plurality of vessels each containing therein an adsorbent mass configured to separate a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in said adsorbent mass, where the system is configured to separate the gas mixture using a single pressure equalization cycle and includes only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels.

Abstract: A hydrogen plant including a fuel reforming plant configured to receive and process hydrocarbon feedstock and configured to discharge wet reformate including a hydrogen-containing gas stream, and a condenser configured to cool the wet reformate. The hydrogen plant also includes a water separator configured to receive the cooled wet reformate, remove water from the wet reformate, and discharge dry reformate. The hydrogen plant further includes a hydrogen purifier configured to receive the dry reformate, process the dry reformate, and discharge pure or substantially pure hydrogen. A supplemental cooling system is provided in the hydrogen plant to cool the wet reformate in addition to the condenser.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus including a housing, a first array of fluid conduits provided within the housing, and a second array of fluid conduits provided within the housing. The first and second arrays of fluid conduits are configured to carry a first fluid. The heat exchange apparatus also includes a first fluid passageway provided within the housing, where the first fluid passageway is defined by an internal surface of the housing and by a baffle plate. The first fluid passageway is configured to carry a second fluid. The baffle plate is configured to divide the first fluid passageway into a first flow path and a second flow path, where the first array of fluid conduits extends through the first flow path and the second array of fluid conduits extends through the second flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor, which includes: a unitary shell assembly having an inlet and an outlet; a flow path extending within the shell assembly from the inlet to the outlet, the flow path having a steam reformer section with a first catalyst and a water gas shift reactor section with a second catalyst, the steam reformer section being located upstream of the water gas shift reactor section; a heating section within the shell assembly and configured to heat the steam reformer section; and a cooling section within the shell assembly and configured to cool the water gas shift reactor section. The present invention also provides a simplified hydrogen production system, which includes the catalytic steam reforming and subsequent high temperature water gas shift of low-sulfur (<100 ppm by mass) hydrocarbon fuels followed by hydrogen purification through the pressure swing adsorption (PSA).

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system including a first group of PSA modules having a plurality of first PSA modules, and a second group of PSA modules having a plurality of second PSA modules. The system includes a feed gas manifold, a product manifold, and a waste manifold connected to the first PSA modules and the second PSA modules. Each first PSA module operates on a first PSA cycle in synchronization with the other first PSA modules, and each second PSA module operates on a second PSA cycle in synchronization with the other second PSA modules. The first PSA cycle is offset from the second PSA cycle. The PSA modules include a plurality of pressurized adsorbent chambers, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold. A rigid structure is provided that connects the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold, and structurally joins the inlet and outlet manifolds to the adsorbent chambers.