Abstract: An apparatus for preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in a reformate flow includes a reactor defining a flow path for a reformate flow; at least one catalyst bed disposed along the flow path; and a distributor for distributing oxygen from an oxygen source to the at least one catalyst bed, the distributor including a conduit positioned at least one of upstream of and through the at least one catalyst bed, the conduit having a sidewall permeable to flow of oxygen from within the conduit to the at least one catalyst bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in a reformate flow includes a reactor defining a flow path for a reformate flow; at least one catalyst bed disposed along the flow path; and a distributor for distributing oxygen from an oxygen source to the at least one catalyst bed, the distributor including a conduit positioned at least one of upstream of and through the at least one catalyst bed, the conduit having a sidewall permeable to flow of oxygen from within the conduit to the at least one catalyst bed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for lowering the carbon monoxide content of a CO-containing hydrogen-rich gas stream by contacting the gas stream with a scavenger capable of preferentially oxidizing the carbon monoxide in the gas stream and then regenerating the scavenger. The scavenger is selected from the group of mixed oxides of manganese and copper; mixed oxides of manganese and copper in combination with mixed oxides of silver, nickel, iron, and tin; mixed oxides of tin and copper; SnO.sub.2 --CuO gels; and mixtures thereof. Preferably the scavenger will have a surface area from about 0.5 to about 200 m.sup.2 /gm.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a CO-tolerant fuel cell electrode formed from a carbon supported, platinum dispersed, non-stoichiometric hydrogen tungsten bronze electrode catalyst. The electrode catalyst is capable of oxidizing CO at very low potentials, and is sequentially formed from stable precursors.

Abstract: The invention is a composition, comprising: a carbon-supported, dispersed platinum-zinc alloy having the formula Pt-Zn.sub.x /C wherein x ranges from greater than 0.05 to less than 1 wherein platinum is in the form of platinum particles ranging in size from about 20 .ANG. to about 30 .ANG. on a carbon support, wherein the carbon is in the form of high surface area carbon having surface area ranging from about 100 to about 500 m.sup.2 /g, and the platinum particles are present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 40 wt % on the carbon support. The composition is made by the process of depositing on the carbon support a soluble zinc source selected from the group of zinc nitrate, acetate, halides, formates, oxalates, and acetyl acetonates and mixtures thereof; calcining to convert the zinc source to ZnO; and then reducing the zinc oxide at a temperature ranging from about 250.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C.

Abstract: A membrane suitable for absorbing a gas component present in a gaseous stream (e.g. carbon dioxide with a hydrogen feed for an alkaline fuel cell) comprises a porous layer of hydrophilic material, both faces of which are covered by a layer of a mixture of 10 to 90 wt.% of a hydrophobic substance and 90 to 10 wt.% of a hydrophilic substance, the hydrophilic portions of the three layers being impregnated with a carbon dioxide hydration catalyst e.g. sodium meta arsenite, at a concentration of 0.1 to 3M and a 2 to 14N alkali metal buffer solution.The gaseous component is absorbed from a gaseous stream containing said component by causing said stream to flow adjacent to a humidified stripping gas having a relative humidity of 0.4 to 0.95, the flows of said stream and said stripping gas being separated by the membrane.