Abstract: Partial oxidation/steam reformers (222) which use heat integrated steam cycles and steam to carbon ratios of at least about 4:1 to enable efficient operation at high pressures suitable for hydrogen purification unit operation such as membrane separation (234) and pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract: Partial oxidation/steam reformers (222) which use heat integrated steam cycles and steam to carbon ratios of at least about 4:1 to enable efficient operation at high pressures suitable for hydrogen purification unit operation such as membrane separation (234) and pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract: Partial oxidation/steam reformers (222) which use heat integrated steam cycles and steam to carbon ratios of at least about 4:1 to enable efficient operation at high pressures suitable for hydrogen purification unit operations such as membrane separation (234) and pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract: Hydrogen generators and processes for operating hydrogen generators using partial oxidation/steam reforming of fuel are provided that can achieve desirable Net Hydrogen Efficiencies over a range of fuels and hydrogen product production rates and purities. Superheated steam for the reformer feed is provided through indirect heat exchange with the reformate and through indirect heat exchange with a flue gas. The relative portions of superheated steam from each heat exchange is adjusted to enhance Net Hydrogen Efficiency as a demand condition such as hydrogen product production rate or purity changes, and cooler oxygen-containing gas is used to avoid precombustion temperatures in the reformer feed.

Abstract: Partial oxidation/steam reformers (222) which use heat integrated steam cycles and steam to carbon ratios of at least about 4:1 to enable efficient operation at high pressures suitable for hydrogen purification unit operations such as membrane separation (234) and pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract: Hydrogen generators and processes for operating hydrogen generators using partial oxidation/steam reforming of fuel are provided that can achieve desirable Net Hydrogen Efficiencies over a range of fuels and hydrogen product production rates and purities. Superheated steam for the reformer feed is provided through indirect heat exchange with the reformate and through indirect heat exchange with a flue gas. The relative portions of superheated steam from each heat exchange is adjusted to enhance Net Hydrogen Efficiency as a demand condition such as hydrogen product production rate or purity changes, and cooler oxygen-containing gas is used to avoid precombustion temperatures in the reformer feed.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for batch annealing work pieces in a hydrogen atmosphere use pressure swing sorption to recover hydrogen from the annealing exhaust. In preferred embodiments, hydrogen for the batch annealing is generated by reforming and the recovery of hydrogen is integrated with the reforming operation.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator contains a membrane separator and a pressure swing sorption system to produce two hydrogen product streams of differing purity. One of those streams is used as a feed to a fuel cell to generate electricity and the other is used as the primary hydrogen product.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation and fuel cell operation are integrated through the use of a fuel processor or hydrogen generation zone which comprises a pre-reforming zone, a partial oxidation zone, a reforming zone, a water gas shift zone and a preferential oxidation zone. According to the present invention, an oxygen-enriched stream is provided to the fuel processor and to the fuel cell from the adsorption effluent withdrawn from an adsorption zone. The oxygen-enriched stream is depleted in nitrogen which improved the efficiency of the fuel processor and the fuel cell by reducing nitrogen dilution. A further advantage resulted in fuel processor/fuel cell systems which burn the anode waste gas in a combustion zone to provide heat to the fuel processor zone.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation and fuel cell operation are integrated through the use of a low-cost hydrogen generation zone which comprises a pre-reforming zone, a partial oxidation zone, a reforming zone, and a water gas shift zone. Anode waste gas from the fuel cell is burned to provide heat to pre-reform the feed to the hydrogen generation zone while the burner exit temperature and the reforming zone exit temperatures are controlled to eliminate thermal cycling in the hydrogenation zone. This simplified control of the hot side temperatures in the hydrogen generation zone below about 700° C. combined with use of the pre-reforming zone, surprisingly permits the use of carbon steel and/or stainless steel for construction of the hydrogenation zone while providing an efficient system which does not require external fuel and offers a high degree of feedstock flexibility at low cost.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation and fuel cell operation are integrated through the use of a low-cost hydrogen generation zone which comprises a pre-reforming zone, a partial oxidation zone, a reforming zone, and a water gas shift zone. Anode waste gas from the fuel cell is burned to provide heat to pre-reform the feed to the hydrogen generation zone while the burner exit temperature and the reforming zone exit temperatures are controlled using a simplified control system to eliminate thermal cycling in the hydrogenation zone. This simplified control of the hot side temperatures in the hydrogen generation zone below about 700° C. combined with use of the pre-reforming zone, surprisingly permits the use of carbon steel and/or stainless steel for construction of the hydrogenation zone while providing an efficient system which does not require external fuel and offers a high degree of feedstock flexibility at low cost.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises two burner zones using a single igniter separated by a heat transfer zone for use in low-cost hydrogen generation units. When used in conjunction with a control system which limits the effluent temperature to less than about 700° C., the apparatus can be constructed of materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel rather than more exotic materials. This simplified structure and the use of less exotic materials provides an efficient, low-cost combined partial oxidation reactor for small-scale hydrogen production systems, especially for hydrogen production systems associated with fuel cell operation for the production of electricity.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the shut-down of a membrane separation zone comprising a non-permeate side and a permeate side and processing a feed stream comprising a non-permeable component, a less-readily permeable, condensible component, and a readily permeable component. When the feed stream is not passed to the membrane separation zone, a purge stream is passed to the non-permeate side of the membrane separation zone to remove a residual gas stream and thereby prevent condensation of the less-readily permeable, condensible component upon depressurization and/or cooling of the membrane separation zone. The invention reduces the need for oversizing membrane system which reduces treating costs and prevents permeate damage to membrane surfaces caused by condensation of less-readily permeable, condensible components such as C.sub.6.sup.+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the rejection of carbon dioxide from a natural gas feedstream comprising a gas permeable membrane and a multiple bed pressure swing adsorption system to produce a fixed gas product having a desired concentration of carbon dioxide. The permeate stream from the gas permeable membrane system is fed to the PSA unit and a stream essentially free of carbon dioxide gas from the PSA unit is compressed and blended with the non-permeate stream to form the mixed gas product.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the separation of light hydrocarbons from a feedstream containing hydrogen, light hydrocarbons and heavy hydrocarbons. The processes employ thermal swing adsorption zone to adsorb heavy hydrocarbons and a pressure swing adsorption zone to remove the remaining light hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the product from the pressure swing adsorption zone is used to purge the thermal swing adsorption zone. Specific applications of the process of the present invention are disclosed with relation to hydrodealkylation processes and dehydrocyclodimerization processes.

Abstract: A gas separation process and system for integrating a gas permeable membrane system with a multiple bed pressure swing adsorption system to produce a mixed gas product having a preset adjustably controlled gas ratio and a high purity second gas component. The permeate stream from the gas permeable membrane system is fed to the PSA unit and the tail gas from the PSA unit is compressed and blended with the non-permeate stream to form the mixed gas product. The pressure of the permeate stream is controlled to adjustably control the gas ratio of the mixed gas product.

Abstract: An integrated pressure swing adsorption/membrane separation process is disclosed for the separation and purification of at least one gas component of a feed gas in which the purge effluent from the pressure swing adsorption part of the system is passed through a membrane separation unit to produce a non-permeate which is utilized as a displacement gas in the pressure swing adsorption part of the system. Desirably, the permeate is also utilized as a purge gas or repressurization gas. The apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A feed gas stream is separated by the use of one or more permeable membranes for bulk separation and for residual product gas recovery, in combination with a pressure swing adsorption process for the recovery of high purity product gas, e.g., hydrogen from mixtures thereof with methane. Waste gas from the PSA system is passed to one or more of such permeable membranes for enhanced product recovery, the recovery levels achieved being advantageously reconciled with the corresponding compression and other cost factors pertaining to the overall process for the production of such high purity product gas.

Abstract: In the purification of gas streams by contact with a permeable membrane selective for the separation of desired components from impurities, harmful gas stream components are removed by means of a pressure swing adsorption system prior to passage of said gas streams to the permeable membrane. Where the harmful components nevertheless comprise valuable components of said gas streams, the purified portion of said gas stream, either the permeate or the non-permeate from said membrane, is used to supply purge gas to the pressure swing adsorption system for desorption and recovery of said harmful components together with said desired components purified upon contact with said membrane.

Abstract: A portion of the void space gas released from an adsorbent bed during the cocurrent depressurization thereof, and to be used to provide purge gas, is passed directly to a bed to be purged. The remaining portion of such gas is passed simultaneously to an external surge drum. The gas in the external drum is thereafter passed to a bed to be purged.