Abstract: A fluid decontamination and apparatus and a method of fluid decontamination, introducing, via an inlet nozzle, a contaminated fluid from a fluid source into a continuous pipe section. The inlet nozzle is coupled to the continuous pipe section that enables fluid flow therethrough. Hydrodynamic cavitation is generated upon exiting the inlet nozzle within the continuous pipe section by spraying and evenly distributing the fluid that induces cavitation formation within the fluid across a three dimensionally open structured (3DOS) substrate disposed within the continuous pipe section. The 3DOS structure is positioned proximate to the inlet nozzle such that the hydrodynamic cavitation generated by the inlet nozzle enters the 3DOS substrate and the 3DOS substrate maintains the hydrodynamic cavitation of the fluid flow into the 3DOS substrate to enable destruction of toxic species and unwanted organic compounds contained in the contaminated fluid.

Abstract: A fluid decontamination apparatus is provided having a container body with a plurality of three-dimensional open structure (3DOS) substrates spaced about therein, wherein a contaminated fluid flowing through the container body will contact the 3DOS substrates. Nozzles can be inserted and secured within inlet apertures disposed about the container body, configured to inject the contaminated fluid with/without air to induce the occurrence of hydrodynamic cavitation. The substrates can be porous and permeable enabling the contaminated fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the fluid flow passageway through the pores extends the volume of contaminated fluid exposed to turbulent and cavitation inducing flow conditions. Moreover, the 3DOS substrates may be coated with one or more types of catalysts so as to initiate chemical reactions.

Abstract: A fluid decontamination and apparatus and a method of fluid decontamination, introducing, via an inlet nozzle, a contaminated fluid from a fluid source into a continuous pipe section. The inlet nozzle is coupled to the continuous pipe section that enables fluid flow therethrough. Hydrodynamic cavitation is generated upon exiting the inlet nozzle within the continuous pipe section by spraying and evenly distributing the fluid that induces cavitation formation within the fluid across a three dimensionally open structured (3DOS) substrate disposed within the continuous pipe section. The 3DOS structure is positioned proximate to the inlet nozzle such that the hydrodynamic cavitation generated by the inlet nozzle enters the 3DOS substrate and the 3DOS substrate maintains the hydrodynamic cavitation of the fluid flow into the 3DOS substrate to enable destruction of toxic species and unwanted organic compounds contained in the contaminated fluid.

Abstract: A fluid decontamination apparatus is provided having a container body with a plurality of three-dimensional open structure (3DOS) substrates spaced about therein, wherein a contaminated fluid flowing through the container body will contact the 3DOS substrates. Nozzles can be inserted and secured within inlet apertures disposed about the container body, configured to inject the contaminated fluid with/without air to induce the occurrence of hydrodynamic cavitation. The substrates can be porous and permeable enabling the contaminated fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the fluid flow passageway through the pores extends the volume of contaminated fluid exposed to turbulent and cavitation inducing flow conditions. Moreover, the 3DOS substrates may be coated with one or more types of catalysts so as to initiate chemical reactions.

Abstract: A fluid decontamination apparatus is provided having a container body with a plurality of three-dimensional open structure (3DOS) substrates spaced about therein, wherein a contaminated fluid flowing through the container body will contact the 3DOS substrates. Nozzles can be inserted and secured within inlet apertures disposed about the container body, configured to inject the contaminated fluid with/without air to induce the occurrence of hydrodynamic cavitation. The substrates can be porous and permeable enabling the contaminated fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the fluid flow passageway through the pores extends the volume of contaminated fluid exposed to turbulent and cavitation inducing flow conditions. Moreover, the 3DOS substrates may be coated with one or more types of catalysts so as to initiate chemical reactions.

Abstract: A fluid decontamination apparatus is provided having a container body with a plurality of three-dimensional open structure (3DOS) substrates spaced about therein, wherein a contaminated fluid flowing through the container body will contact the 3DOS substrates. Nozzles can be inserted and secured within inlet apertures disposed about the container body, configured to inject the contaminated fluid with/without air to induce the occurrence of hydrodynamic cavitation. The substrates can be porous and permeable enabling the contaminated fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the fluid flow passageway through the pores extends the volume of contaminated fluid exposed to turbulent and cavitation inducing flow conditions. Moreover, the 3DOS substrates may be coated with one or more types of catalysts so as to initiate chemical reactions.

Abstract: A fuel processor system includes first and second reactors each having an inlet that receives fuel from a fuel supply and an outlet that discharges a reformate containing hydrogen. The reactors are operable to reform the fuel to form the reformates. The second reactor is coupled in parallel with the first reactor with the reformates produced by each combining to form a reformate flow. The first reactor can be an autothermal reforming reactor and the second reactor can be a steam reforming reactor. The first and second reactors are controlled differently to provide quick startup and transient capability while providing improved overall efficiency under normal operation.

Abstract: A rapid start reactor is provided that can be used, for example, in a water gas shift reactor of a fuel processor. A reactor has a catalyst support structure with one or more surfaces overlaid with an active coating that includes a catalyst. The active coating heats upon exposure to a non-thermal energy source. The reactor also includes a generator of non-thermal energy for applying non-thermal energy to the active coating. Methods for operating such a reactor during transient and/or start-up conditions are also provided.

Abstract: Reactors and methods for reducing the carbon monoxide concentration in a reactant stream are provided. The reactors are generally configured such that the gas hourly space velocity of the reactors increases along a reactant flow path between inlets and outlets of the reactors. The reactors may have preferential oxidation catalysts disposed along a reactant flow path.

Abstract: A method to produce a catalytic bed is initiated by forming apertures in a predetermined pattern on a strip or segment of thin foil. A pattern of desired channels is formed into the apertured foil, for example, as a herringbone pattern. The patterned foil is heat treated, and the surfaces of the foil are provided with at least one washcoat and at least one catalyzed coat, and cured. Cured foil in strip form is rolled into a multi-layer coil, or cured foil in segment form is stacked in multiple segment layers, to produce a desired geometric shape of the catalytic bed. The channels between layers of foil are offset in each successive layer to preclude channel nesting. The offset channels and apertures provide turbulent longitudinal and radial flow of a desired material throughout the catalytic bed.

Abstract: An apparatus removes carbon monoxide (CO) from a hydrogen-rich gas stream in a hydrogen fuel cell system. CO fouls costly catalytic particles in the membrane electrode assemblies of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. A vessel houses a carbon monoxide adsorbent. The vessel may be a rotating pressure swing adsorber. A water gas shift reactor is upstream of the rotating pressure swing adsorber. The water gas shift reactor may include a second adsorbent adapted to adsorb carbon monoxide at low temperatures and to desorb carbon monoxide at high temperatures. The apparatus advantageously eliminates the use of a preferential oxidation (PROX) reactor, by providing an apparatus which incorporates CO adsorption in the place of the PROX reactor. This cleans up carbon monoxide without hydrogen consumption and the concomitant, undesirable excess low grade heat generation. The present invention reduces start-up duration, and improves overall fuel processor efficiency during normal operation.

Abstract: The present invention includes an integrated fuel processor subsystem incorporating a thermal combustor, a catalytic combustor, a quasi-autothermal reactor (QATR) and a air-fuel-steam (AFS) mixer to provide a range of operating modes exhibiting performance between that of a pure steam reformer and a pure autothermal reformer to increase the flexibility of the fuel processor to handle transient system demands such as cold starts, suppress emissions and carbon formation and improve efficiency.

Abstract: A preferred method for starting a primary reactor of a fuel cell system includes performing lean combustion within the primary reactor during a first phase of a start sequence and autothermal reforming during a second phase of the start sequence. In another aspect of the present invention, partial oxidation is performed within the primary reactor during the first phase of the start sequence and autothermal reforming is performed during the second phase of the start sequence.

Abstract: A fuel processor control system for a fuel cell stack includes water and fuel metering devices that control water and fuel provided to the fuel processor. An air flow rate sensor generates an air flow rate signal based on air flowing from a compressor to the fuel processor. A valve is located between the fuel processor and the fuel cell stack. A controller controls the valve and the water and fuel metering devices based on the air flow rate sensor. Other feedback signals such as stack voltage, stack cell voltage variation, pressure differential across the valve, and mass flow rate between the valve and the fuel cell stack can augment or be substituted for the air flow rate feedback signal. The fuel processor can be a partial oxidation reformer a steam reforming reactor, an auto thermal reformer or any combination thereof. The system may also include a water as shift reactor and a preferential oxidation reactor for carbon monoxide reduction.

Abstract: A fuel processor system includes first and second reactors each having an inlet that receives fuel from a fuel supply and an outlet that discharges a reformate containing hydrogen. The reactors are operable to reform the fuel to form the reformates. The second reactor is coupled in parallel with the first reactor with the reformates produced by each combining to form a reformate flow. The first reactor can be an autothermal reforming reactor and the second reactor can be a steam reforming reactor. The first and second reactors are controlled differently to provide quick startup and transient capability while providing improved overall efficiency under normal operation.

Abstract: A fuel processor control system for a fuel cell stack includes water and fuel metering devices that control water and fuel provided to the fuel processor. An air flow rate sensor generates an air flow rate signal based on air flowing from a compressor to the fuel processor. A valve is located between the fuel processor and the fuel cell stack. A controller controls the valve and the water and fuel metering devices based on the air flow rate sensor. Other feedback signals such as stack voltage, stack cell voltage variation, pressure differential across the valve, and mass flow rate between the valve and the fuel cell stack can augment or be substituted for the air flow rate feedback signal. The fuel processor can be a partial oxidation reformer a steam reforming reactor, an auto thermal reformer or any combination thereof. The system may also include a water as shift reactor and a preferential oxidation reactor for carbon monoxide reduction.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a methanol decomposition reactor that is used to solve cold startup and transient operating condition problems. Methanol is charged into a methanol decomposition reactor and heat is supplied to decompose methanol (an endothermic reaction) and to produce hydrogen molecules and carbon monoxide. Hot exhaust gas (effluent) from the methanol decomposition reactor is charged to a steam reformer to preheat the reformer. The hydrogen produced by methanol decomposition is used by a fuel cell stack.