Abstract: A preferential oxidation reactor (PrOx) is provided including a plurality of substrates defining a plurality of channels, through which a reformate stream flows. A CO-sorption layer and a CO-catalyst layer coat a surface of each substrate support member. The PrOx operates in a first mode, generally at a temperature below 100 ° C., whereby the CO-sorption material adsorbs CO from the reformate stream. After operation in the first mode, the PrOx operates in a second mode, generally at a temperature above 100° C., whereby the CO-catalyst material enables a preferential oxidation reaction of CO in the reformate stream with a supply of oxygen and desorption of the CO previously absorbed by the CO-sorption layer for an overall reduction in the CO content of the reformate stream.

Abstract: Reactors and methods for reducing the carbon monoxide concentration in a reactant stream are provided. The reactors are generally configured such that a reactant from a second reactant stream may be continuously introduced along at least a portion of the length of a first reactant stream. A membrane may separate a first reactant stream and a second reactant stream.

Abstract: A fuel cell system extracts water from the effluent of a fuel cell for supply to other components of the fuel cell system that require water. A preferred embodiment is a fuel cell system, for the production of electricity from hydrogen gas and an oxidant, comprising: (a) a fuel cell comprising an anode input for a hydrogen-containing anode supply stream, a cathode input for an oxidant-containing cathode supply stream, and a cathode output for cathode effluent comprising water produced by said fuel cell; and (b) a water transfer device, connected to said fuel cell, that transfers water from said cathode effluent to said anode supply stream.

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: Reactors and methods for reducing the carbon monoxide concentration in a reactant stream are provided. The reactors are generally configured such that a reactant from a second reactant stream may be continuously introduced along at least a portion of the length of a first reactant stream. A membrane may separate a first reactant stream and a second reactant stream.

Abstract: A fuel cell system extracts water from the effluent of a fuel cell for supply to other components of the fuel cell system that require water. A preferred embodiment is a fuel cell system, for the production of electricity from hydrogen gas and an oxidant, comprising: (a) a fuel cell comprising an anode input for a hydrogen-containing anode supply stream, a cathode input for an oxidant-containing cathode supply stream, and a cathode output for cathode effluent comprising water produced by said fuel cell; and (b) a water transfer device, connected to said fuel cell, that transfers water from said cathode effluent to said anode supply stream.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel reformer that is supplied with water vapor extracted from the reformer's effluent stream. In particular, the present invention provides a power plant fuel processor for the production of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel, comprising: (a) a reactor for the production of hydrogen using an oxidant, water and hydrocarbon fuel; and (b) a water transfer device that transfers water vapor from the reformate produced by said reactor to the oxidant used by said reactor, comprising a water-transfer membrane.

Abstract: A preferential oxidation reactor is provided including a plurality of reactor sections. The reactor sections are individually optimized for operating at a preferred reaction temperature. In one embodiment, each reactor subsection includes a respective coolant flow for manipulating the operating temperature of the respective subsection. In another embodiment, a first section includes a lower temperature catalyst substrate, a second reactor section includes a higher temperature (i.e. normal) catalyst substrate and a third reactor section includes a lower temperature catalyst substrate. Yet another embodiment includes modifying the catalyst substrates of the respective subsections through the inclusion of promoters. Still another embodiment includes varying a density of the catalyst substrate across the reactor sections. Each of the embodiments enable quick light-off of the reactor, while limiting a reverse water-gas shift reaction.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that extracts water from the effluent of a fuel cell for supply to other components of the fuel cell system that require water.

Abstract: A preferential oxidation reactor (PrOx) is provided including a plurality of substrates defining a plurality of channels, through which a reformate stream flows. A CO-sorption layer and a CO-catalyst layer coat a surface of each substrate support member. The PrOx operates in a first mode, generally at a temperature below 100° C., whereby the CO-sorption material adsorbs CO from the reformate stream. After operation in the first mode, the PrOx operates in a second mode, generally at a temperature above 100° C., whereby the CO-catalyst material enables a preferential oxidation reaction of CO in the reformate stream with a supply of oxygen and desorption of the CO previously absorbed by the CO-sorption layer for an overall reduction in the CO content of the reformate stream.

Abstract: A customized flow path substrate is provided that comprises fins of varying material and geometry within a catalyst bed of fuel processing reactors. The fins are preferably secured to a core and are assembled by winding the fins around the core and placing the wound fins and the core into a tube to form a tube assembly, which is positioned within the fuel processing reactor. Either one or a plurality of fins may be secured to an individual core, wherein either or both the material and the geometry are varied to customize the flow path and to provide for efficient mixing of gases and to break boundary layer between bulk gas stream and substrate for enhancing mass transfer rate. In addition, the fins are coated with a catalyst material either prior to assembly in one form or after assembly within the tube in another form of the present invention.

Abstract: A preferential oxidation reactor is provided including a plurality of reactor sections. The reactor sections are individually optimized for operating at a preferred reaction temperature. In one embodiment, each reactor subsection includes a respective coolant flow for manipulating the operating temperature of the respective subsection. In another embodiment, a first section includes a lower temperature catalyst substrate, a second reactor section includes a higher temperature (i.e. normal) catalyst substrate and a third reactor section includes a lower temperature catalyst substrate. Yet another embodiment includes modifying the catalyst substrates of the respective subsections through the inclusion of promoters. Still another embodiment includes varying a density of the catalyst substrate across the reactor sections. Each of the embodiments enable quick light-off of the reactor, while limiting a reverse water-gas shift reaction.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that extracts water from the effluent of a fuel cell for supply to other components of the fuel cell system that require water. A preferred embodiment is a fuel cell system, for the production of electricity from hydrogen gas and an oxidant, comprising: (a) a fuel cell comprising an anode input for a hydrogen-containing anode supply stream, a cathode input for an oxidant-containing cathode supply stream, and a cathode output for cathode effluent comprising water produced by said fuel cell; and (b) a water transfer device, connected to said fuel cell, that transfers water from said cathode effluent to said anode supply stream.

Abstract: A process of operating a multi-stage, isothermal, carbon monoxide preferential oxidation (PrOx) reactor. The reactor preferably including a plurality air injectors, positioned along the length of the H2-rich gas flow path through the reactor, for injecting varying amounts of air at each injector depending on the electrical load demand on an associated fuel cell stack, or depending on the concentration of CO exiting the reactor. During normal or peak operating conditions of the fuel cell stack a majority of the air is injected through injectors position closer to the reformate gas inlet to the reactor. Upon a turndown of the electrical load demand on the fuel cell stack, a majority of the air is injected through the injectors closer the to reactor outlet thus eliminating or substantially reducing a reverse water gas shift reaction and substantially reducing the reaction of oxygen and hydrogen flowing through the PrOx.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel reformer that is supplied with water vapor extracted from the reformer's effluent stream.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that extracts water from the effluent of a fuel cell for supply to other components of the fuel cell system that require water.

Abstract: A process of operating a multi-stage, isothermal, carbon monoxide preferential oxidation (PrOx) reactor. The reactor preferably including a plurality air injectors, positioned along the length of the H2-rich gas flow path through the reactor, for injecting varying amounts of air at each injector depending on the electrical load demand on an associated fuel cell stack, or depending on the concentration of CO exiting the reactor. During normal or peak operating conditions of the fuel cell stack a majority of the air is injected through injectors position closer to the reformate gas inlet to the reactor. Upon a turndown of the electrical load demand on the fuel cell stack, a majority of the air is injected through the injectors closer the to reactor outlet thus eliminating or substantially reducing a reverse water gas shift reaction and substantially reducing the reaction of oxygen and hydrogen flowing through the PrOx.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for treatment of a hydrogen-rich gas to reduce the carbon monoxide content thereof by reacting the carbon monoxide in the gas with an amount of oxygen sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst in a desired temperature range without substantial reaction of hydrogen. The catalyst is an iridium-based catalyst dispersed on, and supported on, a carrier. In the presence of the catalyst, carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-rich feed gas is selectively oxidized such that a product stream is produced with a very low carbon monoxide content.

Abstract: A multi-stage, isothermal, carbon monoxide preferential oxidation (PrOx) reactor comprising a plurality of serially arranged, catalyzed heat exchangers, each separated from the next by a mixing chamber for homogenizing the gases exiting one heat exchanger and entering the next. In a preferred embodiment, at least some of the air used in the PrOx reaction is injected directly into the mixing chamber between the catalyzed heat exchangers.