Abstract: A process for an endothermic reaction includes the steps of carrying out an exothermic reaction in which a fuel is combusted to generate heat for transfer to a feedstock subject to an endothermic reaction, the waste heat from the exothermic and endothermic reactions being transferred to at least three fluid streams within a single heat recovery zone downstream of the endothermic and exothermic reactions, the apparatus therefor being contained within a single vessel.

Abstract: A reaction furnace utilizing high-temp steam and recirculated heat source to separate mercury and crack dioxin and organic substances contained in waste includes a first combustion chamber having a burner for producing high-temp hot gas, which is sent to a second combustion chamber for heating a reaction chamber and a high-temp steam generator therein. High-temp steam produced by the high-temp steam generator is introduced into the reaction chamber for decomposing or distilling waste being treated. Gas mixture produced in the reaction chamber is discharged to a gas mixture treatment system for separation. Fuel gas and fuel oil separated from the gas mixture are introduced into the burner for producing the high-temp hot gas, and waste water separated form the gas mixture is led to the high-temp steam generator for producing the high-temp steam. And, soil in the waste that has been treated is discharged via a discharge outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plate type steam reformer comprising a plate type burner capable of heating a broad area of a reactor as a heat source, positioned on a bottom of the reformer; a reforming reactor requiring a relatively high temperature, positioned over the burner; a high temperature water gas shift reactor requiring a relatively moderate temperature, positioned over the reforming reactor; a low temperature water gas shift reactor requiring a relatively low temperature, positioned over the high temperature water gas shift reactor; and dividing plates positioned between the above three reactors and between the reforming reactor and the burner such that combustion exhaust gas produced in the burner supplies heat to the above reactors.

Abstract: A fuel conversion reactor includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a hot gaseous mixture produced by catalytic or non-catalytic reaction of a fuel with a gaseous fluid, and for controlling the temperature of the gaseous fluid and/or the fuel prior to the reaction. The reactor is either a catalytic or non-catalytic burner, or a fuel reformer for converting a fuel to hydrogen. A preferred reactor includes an outer shell having first and second ends and an inner surface, a primary inner shell extending into the outer shell, the primary inner shell defining a heat exchanging chamber and having primary and secondary ends, and a secondary inner shell having a first end located adjacent the secondary end of the primary inner shell. One or more outlet apertures are formed between the two inner shells for passage of the gaseous fluid out of the heat exchanging chamber.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanged membrane reactor for electric power generation. More specifically, the invention comprises a membrane reactor system that employs catalytic or thermal steam reforming and a water gas shift reaction on one side of the membrane, and hydrogen combustion on the other side of the membrane. Heat of combustion is exchanged through the membrane to heat the hydrocarbon fuel and provide heat for the reforming reaction. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is combusted with compressed air to power a turbine to produce electricity. A carbon dioxide product stream is produced in inherently separated form and at pressure to facilitate injection of the CO2 into a well for the purpose of sequestering carbon from the earth's atmosphere.

Abstract: A reactor module for use in a compact fuel processor having a module inlet for receiving a feed stream, a module outlet for producing an effluent stream, a reactor having a reactor inlet, a reactor outlet, and catalyst, an inlet spiral passage in fluid communication with the module inlet to the reactor inlet, and an outlet spiral passage in fluid communication with the reactor outlet to the module outlet. Such a design provides for the feed stream to be introduced to the module inlet, where it then passes through the inlet spiral passage, and is heated by hot reactor product passing through the outlet spiral passage. The reactor may be any type of fixed bed exothermic containing supported catalyst particles or the reactor bed may be a monolith with catalytic material coated on to the surface of the structural members.

Abstract: A steam reforming furnace has a plurality of substantially vertical reformer tubes. Each reformer tube has a feed inlet at its lower end, an outlet at its upper end, and a catalyst containment zone disposed intermediate its upper and lower ends and contains a charge of a particulate steam reforming catalyst which is insufficient to fill completely the catalyst containment zone. An upper retainer means is mounted at the upper end of the catalyst containment zone and is permeable to gas or vapor but retains particles of the catalyst in the catalyst containment zone. A follower means is movably mounted in the catalyst containment zone beneath the charge catalyst for movement upwardly from a lower end of the containment zone upon upward flow of gas through the catalyst containment zone at a rate beyond a threshold rate.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide rich gas by steam reforming of hydrocarbon feedstock in presence of a steam reforming catalyst supported as thin film on the wall of a reactor, comprising steps of (a) optionally passing a process gas of hydrocarbon feedstock through a first reactor with a thin film of steam reforming catalyst supported on walls of the reactor in heat conducting relationship with a hot gas stream; (b) passing effluent from the first reactor to a subsequent tubular reactor being provided with a thin film of steam reforming catalyst and/or steam reforming catalyst pellets and being heated by burning of fuel, thereby obtaining a partially steam reformed gas effluent and a hot gas stream of flue gas; (c) passing the effluent from the second reactor to an autothermal reformer; and (d) withdrawing from the autothermal reformer a hot gas stream of product gas rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A single-pipe cylinder-type reformer includes a plurality of circular cylinders standing upright coaxially and forming therebetween a zigzag gas flow path allowing a raw material gas to flow therein, a radiation cylinder coaxially arranged inside the plurality of circular cylinders, a burner arranged at one end of a center of the radiation cylinder for generating a combustion gas, a reforming catalyst layer obtained by packing with a reforming catalyst at least a first gas flow path section of the gas flow path closest to the burner. A metal pre-heat layer formed on an upstream side of the reforming catalyst layer is packed with a metal packing. Helical dividing means are provided in each gas flow path section of the gas flow path to extend in the axial direction of the circular cylinders. The helical dividing means helically divide a gas and make it flow through the first gas flow section.

Abstract: A process heater is provided utilizing flameless combustion, the process heater having: an oxidation reaction chamber, the oxidation reaction chamber having an inlet for oxidant, an outlet for combustion products, and a flow path between the inlet and the outlet; a fuel conduit capable of transporting a fuel mixture to a plurality of fuel nozzles within the oxidation reaction chamber, each nozzle providing communication from within the fuel conduit to the oxidation chamber, with each nozzle along the flowpath between the inlet and the outlet; a preheater in communication with the oxidation chamber inlet, the preheater capable of increasing the temperature of the oxidant to a temperature resulting in the combined oxidant and fuel from the fuel nozzle closest to the oxidation chamber inlet being greater than the autoignition temperature of the combined oxidant and fuel from the fuel nozzle closest to the oxidation chamber inlet; and a process chamber in a heat exchange relationship to the oxidation reaction cha

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a waste product and producing a synthesis gas is provided. The system includes a sealed, heated rotatable drum for preheating and preparing the waste material suitable for a plasma reactor, and processing the material in the reactor. The synthesis gas created by the reactor is used to preheat the waste material by circulating the hot synthesis gas around the drum. In an alternative embodiment, the hot synthesis gas flows through the drum to preheat the waste material and to clean the synthesis gas. Different methods of cooling and cleaning the synthesis gas are used. The system may comprise two plasma reactors in combination with a rotating desorber drum.

Abstract: A gas generation system for providing a gas flow to be supplied to a reformer includes an evaporator for evaporating the components contained in a gas flow, wherein the gas flow includes at least one carbon compound, such as hydrocarbon or alcohol, and water vapor. A normalizing stage is connected between the evaporator and the reformer for equalizing the temperature distribution in the gas flow to be supplied to the reformer. The temperature of the gas flow should be equalized to a temperature range below the maximum allowable reformer inlet temperature. In this way, temperature maxima caused by a load change are equalized, thereby significantly increasing the service life of the reformer catalyst.

Abstract: An auxiliary reactor for use with a reformer reactor having at least one reaction zone, and including a burner for burning fuel and creating a heated auxiliary reactor gas stream, and heat exchanger for transferring heat from auxiliary reactor gas stream and heat transfer medium, preferably two-phase water, to reformer reaction zone. Auxiliary reactor may include first cylindrical wall defining a chamber for burning fuel and creating a heated auxiliary reactor gas stream, the chamber having an inlet end, an outlet end, a second cylindrical wall surrounding first wall and a second annular chamber there between. The reactor being configured so heated auxiliary reactor gas flows out the outlet end and into and through second annular chamber and conduit which is disposed in second annular chamber, the conduit adapted to carry heat transfer medium and being connectable to reformer reaction zone for additional heat exchange.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating system regulates its rate of hydrogen generation by monitoring one or more parameters of the hydrogen generation process and then providing relative movement between the fuel tank and the catalyst chamber so as to increase or decrease the rate of hydrogen generation. In the disclosed embodiments, the catalyst chamber is disposed in a tank containing the fuel. The relative movement provided moves the catalyst chamber toward the fuel solution so as to increase the rate of hydrogen generation and moves the catalyst chamber away from the fuel solution to decrease such generation. Advantageously, such self-regulation can be provided without an external power source and can be varied to meet the requirements of different commercial applications. The overall system can be readily fabricated using commercially available parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat fluid streams, and in particular emissions from lean-burn engines such as diesel engines, are disclosed, which use multiple catalysts chosen to remove hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and oxides of nitrogen. The apparatus and method also provide for heat exchange between the inlet and outlet exhaust streams to sustain the catalyzed reactions, by placing the catalysts in the temperature zones where their operation is enhanced, and they also allow for regeneration of a filter used to trap particulate matter in the streams.

Abstract: Tubes within a radiant heating section of a coking furnace are arranged differently than in a single vertical column and connected together in a simple, planar serpentine pattern. The tubes are arranged in a plurality of offset or staggered vertical columns. This arrangement permits the upper tubes to be close to the radiant heat source and allows the tube bends connecting adjacent tubes to be of greater radius, so that the pressure at which the feedstock is passed through the tube bundle can be lower allowing more vaporization of the cracked process fluids.

Abstract: A compact endothermic catalytic reaction apparatus for converting hydrocarbon feedstock and methanol to useful gases, such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide, comprising a tubular endothermic catalytic reactor, a radiant combustion chamber and an annular convection section. Thus tubular endothermic catalytic reactor receives radiant energy from a metal fiber burner that is disposed within the radiant combustion chamber. Combustion products from the radiant chamber enter an annular convection section wherein heat is transferred by forced convection to the tubular endothermic catalytic reactor. The combination of radiant and convective heat transfer results in a compact design of high thermal efficiency.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanged membrane reactor for electric power generation. More specifically, the invention comprises a membrane reactor system that employs catalytic or thermal steam reforming and a water gas shift reaction on one side of the membrane, and hydrogen combustion on the other side of the membrane. Heat of combustion is exchanged through the membrane to heat the hydrocarbon fuel and provide heat for the reforming reaction. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is combusted with compressed air to power a turbine to produce electricity. A carbon dioxide product stream is produced in inherently separated form and at pressure to facilitate injection of the CO2 into a well for the purpose of sequestering carbon from the earth's atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for inhibiting metal dusting corrosion of a tubesheet inside a shell-and-tube heat exchanger having at least one exit nozzle for transmitting at least one process fluid from the shell-and-tube heat exchanger include and use: an isolation baffle disposed inside the shell-and-tube heat exchanger at a location between a first exit nozzle and the tubesheet, whereby an isolated space exists between the tubesheet and the isolation baffle; and a means for purging the isolated space with a purging fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process includes a combustion chamber, a convection chamber in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, at least one burner disposed in the combustion chamber, a reaction chamber, a means for flowing a first mixed-feed through a first part of the reaction chamber, and a means for flowing a second mixed-feed through an annular portion of a second part of the reaction chamber, the second part being a tube-in-tube in fluid communication with the first part. The burner(s) generates a flow of a flue gas having a sensible heat from the combustion chamber to the convection chamber. The flow of the flue gas in the convection chamber is counter-currently with the flow of the second mixed-feed.

Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with columns of individual gas passages. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the assembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages. The regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages and the reformer gas passages in each sub-assembly are connected by gas flow reversing manifolds which form a part of each sub-assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus arranged to maximize heat utilization for a hydrocarbon steam reforming process to produce synthesis gas. The apparatus comprises a refractory lined vessel with partition walls that divide the inside of the vessel into (1) a combustion chamber(s) containing one or more burners, and (2) convection chambers used as a means to remove combustion products from the combustion chamber through one or more openings at the opposite end of the burner end. The combustion chamber contains one or more reformer tubes in which a mixed-feed of hydrocarbon and steam flow co-current with combustion products and receive direct radiant heat from the combustion flame through the tube wall. The convection chambers contain a tube-in-tube device filled with catalyst in the annuli.

Abstract: A fuel conversion reactor includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a hot gaseous mixture produced by catalytic or non-catalytic reaction of a fuel with a gaseous fluid, and for controlling the temperature of the gaseous fluid and/or the fuel prior to the reaction. The reactor is either a catalytic or non-catalytic burner, or a fuel reformer for converting a fuel to hydrogen. A preferred reactor includes an outer shell having first and second ends and an inner surface, a primary inner shell extending into the outer shell, the primary inner shell defining a heat exchanging chamber and having primary and secondary ends, and a secondary inner shell having a first end located adjacent the secondary end of the primary inner shell. One or more outlet apertures are formed between the two inner shells for passage of the gaseous fluid out of the heat exchanging chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (E) for systems having a heat generating furnace (F) includes at least one heat exchanging arm (10) formed from an inner (12) and an outer (14) concentric tube with an inner (16) and outer (18) passageway separated by a common wall (20). The inner concentric tube (12) has a first end (22) with a fluid flow outlet (24) for discharging an exhaust fluid (26) and a second end (28) with a fluid flow inlet (30) for receiving an input (32) of the exhaust fluid. The outer concentric tube (14) has a first end (34) with a fluid flow (36) inlet for receiving an input of an intake (38) fluid flow and a second end (40) with a fluid flow outlet (42) for discharging the intake fluid (38). The exhaust fluid (26) flows through the inner concentric tube (12) in a direction substantially opposite to the intake fluid flow (38) through the heat exchanger arm (10).

Abstract: A synthetic gas manufacturing plant includes a reformer having a reaction tube, a combustion radiation unit arranged around the reaction tube to heat the reaction tube, and a convection unit communicating with the combustion radiation unit, a source gas supply passageway to supply a natural gas to the reformer, a steam supply passageway to supply steam to the source gas supply passageway, a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus to which a total amount of combustion exhaust gas flowing through the convection unit of the reformer is supplied, and which recovers carbon dioxide from the combustion exhaust gas, a compressor to compress the recovered carbon dioxide, and a return passageway to supply part or the whole of the compressed carbon dioxide from the compressor to the source gas supply passageway.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the preparation of synthesis gas by catalytic steam and/or CO2 reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A hydrogen generating system regulates its rate of hydrogen generation by monitoring one or more parameters of the hydrogen generation process and then providing relative movement between the fuel tank and the catalyst chamber so as to increase or decrease the rate of hydrogen generation.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the preparation of synthesis gas by catalytic steam and/or CO2 reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising the following steps:

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gas generator system includes a combustion chamber having an insulation coupled to an inside surface thereof, a retort having a catalyst therein disposed within the combustion chamber, and an access door coupled to a side of the combustion chamber. The access door allows removal of the retort from the side of the combustion chamber. According to another embodiment of the invention, a gas generator system includes a combustion chamber having an insulation coupled to an inside surface thereof, a retort having a catalyst therein disposed within the combustion chamber, and a recuperator disposed proximate an open bottom of the combustion chamber. The recuperator prevents secondary combustion air from traveling in a direct path into the combustion chamber from outside the open bottom of the combustion chamber and raises the temperature of the secondary combustion air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for the preparation of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide, the installation comprising two reactor sections in a vertically placed combined reactor and a high-pressure condenser section. The installation may comprise a vertically placed combined reactor, with the two reactor sections being separated by a high-pressure condenser section. In another embodiment the installation comprises a vertically placed combined reactor that comprises two reactor sections and a high-pressure condenser section placed outside the reactor. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of urea in this installation. This involves feeding the gas stream leaving the stripper wholly or partly to the high-pressure condenser section of the installation. Preferably, a portion of the gas stream leaving the scrubber is fed to the second reactor section in the vertically placed combined reactor via an ammonia-driven ejector.

Abstract: A gasification reactor apparatus (10) comprising a gasification vessel (12), a gas-fired combustion chamber (70) and a combination fan and cyclone unit (20) in an upper part (12′) of the vessel (12) with two functions: first, the fan (62, 64) impels incoming feedstock (14, 14′) centrifugally into contact with the hot inside surface of the vessel to produce rapid onset of gasification. Second, the unit (20) exerts a cyclonic motion on the product gas causing outward separation of particulate matter from the gas, which passes to the outlet via a path through the middle of the vessel (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reforming educts containing hydrocarbons, having a radiation burner and a reforming reactor, which contains, at least in part, metal honeycomb bodies having a catalyst coating, and which can in particular be used to produce hydrogen from fossil energy carriers. The invention should thereby be able to convert educts containing hydrocarbons into synthesis gases with high efficiency, in particular in a low-power range. For this purpose, a radiation burner is used that heats a two-part reforming reactor by radiation and convection. The radiation burner and the two parts of the reforming reactor are thereby arranged and constructed in such a way that the radiation burner surrounds the two parts of the reforming reactor, and the educt gas and smoke gas can be conducted in counter-current between the two parts of the reforming reactor.

Abstract: A steam reformer that produces hydrogen gas from water and a carbon-containing feedstock, such as an alcohol or a hydrocarbon. The steam reformer includes a hydrogen-producing region, in which a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases is produced from water and a carbon-containing feedstock. The steam reformer includes a separation region, in which the mixed gas stream is separated into a hydrogen-rich stream containing at least substantially pure hydrogen gas, and a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases. In some embodiments, the steam reformer is a vertically oriented fuel processor. In some embodiments, the separation region includes at least one hydrogen-selective membrane. In some embodiments, the steam reformer further includes a polishing region, in which the hydrogen-rich stream produced in the separation region is further purified. In some embodiments, the reformer includes an external metal or sealed ceramic shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation or purification of hydrogen is described, and which includes an enclosure having inner and outer chambers which are substantially separated by a barrier, and which are substantially concentrically aligned; an evaporator coil positioned within the inner chamber for receiving a solution of methanol and water, and wherein the solution of methanol and water is heated to a predetermined temperature; a reformer coil positioned within the inner chamber and coupled in downstream fluid flowing relation relative to the evaporator coil, and which facilitates the decomposition of the heated methanol and water solution into hydrogen gas and other constituents; and a purifier assembly positioned within the inner chamber and coupled in downstream fluid flowing relation relative to the reformer coil, and which substantially separates the hydrogen gas from the other constituents.

Abstract: A process and method is provided for operating a small-scale high-throughput gasifier. As is known in the art, the exothermic combustion reactions can be separated from the endothermic gasification reactions. The exothermic combustion reactions can take place in or near the combustor while the endothermic gasification reactions take place in the gasifier. Heat from the exothermic zone is transferred to the endothermic reaction zone by circulation of an inert particulate solid such as sand. In order to increase efficiency by reducing heat loss from the gasifier, the gasifier is concentrically-disposed within the endothermic reaction zone of the combustor.

Abstract: A fuel reforming method includes the step of supplying carbon-containing fuel and steam to a reactor filled with a fuel reforming catalyst and a CO2 absorbent and discharging CO2, and setting the absorbent at an absorption temperature, thereby converting the carbon-containing fuel into reformed fuel, and separating CO2 from the reformed fuel, the step of obtaining a product gas by oxidizing a portion of the reformed fuel and/or the carbon-containing fuel with an oxidizer, and heating the absorbent with this product gas to a regeneration temperature, thereby regenerating the absorbent and storing heat in this absorbent, and the step of supplying the carbon-containing fuel and steam to the reactor, thereby cooling, to the absorption temperature, the absorbent heated to the regeneration temperature, and converting the carbon-containing fuel into reformed fuel by heat energy stored in the CO2 absorbent. An apparatus for the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process includes a combustion chamber, a convection chamber in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, at least one burner disposed in the combustion chamber, a reaction chamber, a means for flowing a first mixed-feed through a first part of the reaction chamber, and a means for flowing a second mixed-feed through an annular portion of a second part of the reaction chamber, the second part being a tube-in-tube in fluid communication with the first part. The burner(s) generates a flow of a flue has having a sensible heat from the combustion chamber to the convection chamber. The flow of the flue has in the convection chamber is counter-currently with the flow of the second mixed-feed.

Abstract: A fuel processor apparatus comprising a catalytic tubular reactor is heated using an infrared radiant burner to provide the endothermic heat of reaction needed to reform a mixture of hydrocarbon and steam for the production of a hydrogen-rich gas stream. The hydrogen-rich gas stream is further purified using a sequence of catalytic steps that is fed to a fuel cell whereupon a portion of the hydrogen contained in the gas stream is consumed for the production of electricity by electrochemical reaction with oxygen. An unused portion of the purified hydrogen-rich gas stream exits the fuel cell stack and is combusted in the infrared radiant burner. A fuel cell control system rapidly responds to a variable fuel cell electric demand by adjusting the feed of hydrocarbon to the catalytic tubular reactor to maintain the surface temperature of the infrared radiant burner within defined limits.

Abstract: A housing containing two or more individual operating components called modules is disclosed. The modules themselves are independently contained in one or more vessels with attendant connectivity structures such as pipes, tubes, wires and the like. Each such vessel or device is configured to conduct at least one unit reaction or operation necessary or desired for generating or purifying a hydrogen enriched product gas formed from a hydrocarbon feed stock. Any vessel or zone in which such a unit operation is conducted, and is separately housed with respect at least one other vessel or zone for conducting a unit operation, is considered a module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a furnace and process that relies on a multiplicity of radiant heating tubes, each in the form of a U-shaped coil, that are mounted within a furnace firebox such that an inlet leg of any one of the plural tubes is immediately adjacent and spaced apart from an outlet leg of another one of the plural tubes within the firebox of a thermal cracking furnace. This spacial pairing of an inlet leg of one tube with an outlet leg of another tube of the plural radiant heating tubes of the cracking furnace maximizes utilization of the available radiant heat within the firebox of a thermal cracking furnace while reducing the likelihood of localized hot spotting that could produce coke-tar plugging of a tube.

Abstract: The invention concerns, as can be seen from FIG. 2, a device and a process for heating fuel gas under high pressure before it is expanded. The gas is directly heated by burning part of the gas in the gas-containing container.

Abstract: A reforming apparatus of the type including an indirect heat exchange zone for the reforming reaction of a gaseous flow comprising methane and steam into CO, CO2 and H2, is provided with a plurality of floating-head tubes containing a reforming catalyst, a chamber for collection of the reaction products positioned downstream of the reaction products from the apparatus.

Abstract: A carbonizing apparatus permits effective use of an organic gas generated in a carbonizing vessel by utilizing an exhaust gas obtained by defusing the organic gas from the carbonizing vessel, as a heating source of the carbonizing vessel. The carbonizing apparatus has a carbonizing vessel having a carbonizing vessel jacket, into which a heating medium flows, a heat transmission surface forming an inner peripheral wall of the carbonizing vessel to be heated by the heating medium, a carbonizing object flowing means for flowing a carbonizing object charged thereinto, in contact with the heat transmission surface and a combustion furnace for burning an organic gas to be generated within the carbonizing vessel for defusing. The heating medium heating the heating surface is an exhaust gas as a heating gas after burning the organic gas in the combustion furnace, and the exhaust gas flowing into the carbonizing vessel jacket and discharging into an ambient air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for operating a system for the water vapor reforming of a hydrocarbon, having an evaporator, a reforming reactor, a membrane module connected behind, and a catalytic burner device. According to the invention, a first part of the catalytic burner device is in thermal contact with the reforming reactor, and a second part of the burner device is in thermal contact with the evaporator. According to the process, a heating operation is carried out during the cold start of the system, in which, in a first operating phase, at least the evaporator and the reforming reactor are heated by the catalytic burner device, and in a second operating phase, a hydrocarbon/water vapor mixture is prepared in the evaporator at a water/hydrocarbon ratio which is higher than in the normal operation and is fed to the reactor, the substance mixture emerging from the reactor being fed by way of the membrane module to the catalytic burner device.

Abstract: Used oil is treated in a reactor to remove contaminants. The reactor comprises a rotating vessel forming an internal reaction chamber. The vessel is housed within a heating chamber. The inside of the vessel is indirectly heated by conduction through the vessel walls. The reaction chamber contains a permanently resident charge of non-ablating, granular coarse solids. Within the reaction chamber, the oil is vaporized and pyrolyzed, producing a hydrocarbon vapour. Coke is formed as a byproduct. Contaminants, such as metals and halides, become associated with the coke. The coarse solids scour and comminute the coke to form fine solids. The fine solids are separated within the reaction chamber from the coarse solids and are removed from the vessel through a pipe located at the axis of the vessel. The hydrocarbon vapours are also removed from the vessel through the axial pipe, as a separate stream. Residual fine solids are separated in a cyclone from the vapour stream.

Abstract: A compact endothermic reaction apparatus employing metallic reaction tubes in a close-pack arrangement using offset nozzle tubes and an air distribution plate for introducing fuel and air into a combustion chamber to produce long and thin flames thereby to avoid excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes and provide high reaction tube life expectancy. Also, excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes at the inlet ends of exhaust tubes is eliminated and provision is made for preventing buckling of individual reaction tubes that may be subjected to higher than average reaction tube temperatures.

Abstract: The amount of limonene produced during pyrolysis of scrap tire carcass or polyisoprene rubber can be increased by decreasing residence time of the isoprene gas produced during the thermal degradation of polyisoprene rubber in the high temperature reactor region of an oven. This is achieved by using a novel oven design which permits rapid expansion of the isoprene gas away from the high temperature reactor region of the oven to a cooler region where the gas forms limonene and condenses. This pyrolysis method also decreases the amount of soot produced while increasing the amount of limonene produced. Furthermore, this system readily enables separation of the solid, liquid and gas phases produced during pyrolysis.

Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with interposed columns of individual fuel gas and burner gas passages. The fuel gas passages are provided with walls which are wash coated with a catalyzed alumina complex. The catalyst complex includes a nickel catalyst and a cerium and/or lanthanum oxide component which stabilizes the alumina against recrystalization in the catalyst complex. The catalyst complex also includes a calcium oxide component which inhibits carbon formation on the alumina surface. The cerium or lanthanum oxide and calcium oxide combine to provide a synergistic improvement in both alumina stabilization and also in inhibition of carbon deposits on the washcoated surfaces.

Abstract: An endothermic reaction furnace includes one or more elongated reaction tubes defining therein an endothermic reaction flow path and a combustion flow path for providing heat to drive the endothermic reaction. The combustion flow path is arranged so that fuel and combustion air are separately heated by the heat inside the furnace preferably to significantly above their autoignition temperature before being combined in a combustion zone where they mix, autoignite and burn. The fuel is introduced into the combustion zone by a plurality of tubes having outlet ends arranged to produce annular shrouds of flame around each reaction tube that are directed countercurrent to the endothermic reaction product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions with transfer of heat therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to autothermic modules using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes to separate, selectively, oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and supply it directly to partial combustion of gaseous organic compounds. Processes using autothermic modules in accordance with this invention are, advantageously, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is substantially free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen. In particular, for conversions, within the integral autothermic module, of natural gas or other forms of gaseous lower alkanes to synthesis gas by means of partial combustion followed by reforming.