Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out endothermic reactions including a plurality of catalytic vessels, immersed in a combustion chamber having a contiguous overlaid convection chamber enclosing a top portion of the catalytic vessels wherein heat is recovered at a lower temperature level from the flue gases from the combustion chamber. The catalytic vessels may contain internal and coaxial heat recovery tubes creating an annular space filled in with a catalytic device. Both the external heat recovery through the catalyst tube outer surface and the internal heat recovery through the inner tube surface can be maximized by an enhanced catalytic device acting also as a heat transfer promoter in the process gas region. The apparatus provides enhanced and flexible heat recovery that permits to meet the request of minimum or none export steam production in one single apparatus, avoiding the need of a pre-reforming section and/or of a convective reformer downstream.

Abstract: A steam reformer, comprising a combustion chamber, catalyst tubes arranged in several rows, feed conduits for the educt gas, which extend below the bottom of the combustion chamber, burners for heating the catalyst tubes which are installed in the bottom of the combustion chamber and are directed vertically upwards into the combustion chamber, feed conduits extending below the bottom of the combustion chamber, each for supplying the air and the fuel gas to the burners, openings installed in the ceiling of the combustion chamber for discharging the burner waste gas, and channels extending above the ceiling of the combustion chamber for discharging the burner waste gas.

Abstract: Integrated liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer and fuel cell systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer also can include a vaporizer, one or more igniters, and a source of liquid reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the liquid fuel CPOX reactor unit.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen-rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. At least the exterior surface of a CPOX reaction zone of a CPOX reactor unit can include a hydrogen barrier. The gaseous fuel CPOX reformer also can include one or more igniters, and a source of gaseous reformable fuel.

Abstract: A liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. At least the exterior surface of the CPOX reaction zone can include a hydrogen barrier. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer can include a vaporizer, one or more igniters, and a source of liquid reformable fuel.

Abstract: Integrated gaseous fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer and fuel cell systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The gaseous fuel CPOX reformer also can include one or more igniters, and a source of gaseous reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the gaseous fuel CPOX reformer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing trichlorosilane are disclosed. A polymer containing high boiling chlorosilane compounds that are generated in a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing process are mixed with hydrogen chloride and introduced into a decomposition furnace. The polymer and the hydrogen chloride are reacted at a temperature of 450° C., and preferably of 450° C. or more and 700° C. or less. Preferably a mixture containing the polymer and hydrogen chloride of 10 to 30 mass % with respect to the weight of the polymer is introduced into the decomposition furnace.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area and where a reformer and an evaporator are provided, and an annular third area around the second area and where a heat exchanger is provided. The exhaust gas combustor and the start-up combustor are provided coaxially with and separately away from each other.

Abstract: Burner for a furnace comprising at least one supply channel for supplying an oxidizing medium and a plurality of peripheral fuel supply channels, wherein the channels have exit openings arranged adjacent each other at a burner end surface for forming during use upon reaction of supplied fuel with supplied oxidizing medium a flame front, wherein the exit openings are asymmetrically arranged with respect to any plane arranged transverse to the end surface of the burner and extending through a burner central axis whereby the distribution of the fuel exit openings and/or the dimension of the fuel exit openings and/or the exit angle of the fuel exit openings and/or the shape of the fuel exit openings are arranged asymmetrically to said any plane, such that during use a flame front is created that is asymmetrical with respect to said any plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-channel water-gas shift (WGS) reaction device for WGS for generating hydrogen and pre-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS) from coal gasification, the device using a micro-channel heat exchanger and through-type metal catalyst capable of rapidly dissipating heat generated during single-stage WGS reaction of high concentration CO in a high temperature space.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel processing device including: a combustion unit equipped with a heat source; a desulfurization unit for extracting a sulfur component from the source gas; a reforming unit for generating, from the desulfurized source gas, a hydrogen-containing gas having hydrogen as a main component thereof; and a low-temperature conversion unit equipped with an exothermic catalyst for reducing the impurity concentration in the hydrogen-containing gas. The reforming unit and the desulfurization unit are configured so as to surround the combustion unit, and are disposed concentrically in the given order facing outwards from the combustion unit. The present invention further includes a preheating passage which is connected to the desulfurization unit, and which is provided to a bottom part of the combustion unit via a heat insulation material, such that the source gas is preheated by heat from the combustion unit.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a hydrocarbon gas stream comprises the steps of (i) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, (ii) mixing the hydrogen gas mixture with a gaseous hydrocarbon stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting hydrocarbon gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the gaseous hydrocarbon to steam.

Abstract: A method for producing a synthesis-gas product gas and a vapor stream includes catalytic steam reforming a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in a steam reformer. The hot synthesis-gas product gas stream is cooled in a heat exchanger to form a cooled synthesis-gas product gas stream and a first partial vapor stream, which is supplied to the product vapor stream. The reforming furnace is operated so as to burn a burner feedstock in burners, cool a hot flue gas stream from the burners in a heat exchanger to form a cooled flue gas stream and a second partial vapor stream, and separate the cooled flue gas stream into a waste gas stream and a flue gas recirculation stream. The flow of the recirculated flue gas is increased with decreasing flow of the synthesis-gas product gas to obtain an approximately constant product vapor stream by increasing the second partial vapor stream.

Abstract: Provided is a new catalyst capable of removing carbon monoxide economically without adding particular reaction gas externally. Also provided are a process for producing and an apparatus using such a catalyst. Impregnation of a Ni—Al composite oxide precursor of a nonstoichiometric composition prepared by the solution-spray plasma technique with a ruthenium salt to be supported and performing reduction treatment allows CO methanation reaction to selectively proceed even in the high-temperature range in which CO2 methanation reaction and reverse water-gas-shift reaction proceed preferentially with conventional catalysts. Selective CO methanation reaction occurs reproducibly with another Ni—Al composite oxide precursor or an additive metallic species.

Abstract: A fuel processor for generating hydrogen rich gas or cleaned hydrogen rich gas from hydrocarbon fuel includes an inner housing and an outer housing defining a mantel space between them, wherein at least one fuel reformer unit for reforming hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas and optionally a gas-cleaning unit for cleaning the hydrogen rich gas from unwanted by-products are arranged in the inner housing. The fuel processor further includes a processor inlet for introducing hydrocarbon fuel into the inner housing and a processor outlet for releasing cleaned hydrogen rich gas from the inner housing. The outer housing further includes a fluid inlet for introducing a heat transporting fluid into the mantel space. The inner housing includes at least one opening for providing a fluid-connection between the inner housing and the mantel space. A method for operating such a fuel processor is also provided.

Abstract: A gas generator and process for converting a fuel into an oxygen-depleted gas and/or hydrogen-enriched gas. The gas generator is preferably used for generating protection gas or reducing gas for start up, shut down or emergency shut down of a SOFC or SOEC. The process for converting fuel into oxygen-depleted gas and/or a hydrogen-enriched gas includes combusting the fuel in a primary catalytic burner with an oxygen-containing gas to produce a flue gas with oxygen, combusting or partially oxidizing the flue gas comprising oxygen with excess fuel in a secondary catalytic burner to produce a gas with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and reducing the trace amounts of oxygen from the gas comprising traces of oxygen and obtaining an oxygen-depleted gas, or reducing the carbon monoxide present in the gas by conversion to carbon dioxide or methane to obtain a hydrogen-enriched gas.

Abstract: A reactor vessel for performing a steam reforming reaction having a vessel inlet for natural gas and steam; a vessel inlet for a hot gaseous medium; a vessel outlet for the steam reforming product; and a reactor space which is a bed of steam reforming catalyst, which reactor space inlet is fluidly connected to the inlet for natural gas and steam and at its outlet end fluidly connected with the outlet for the gaseous product; wherein inside the catalyst bed a passageway is provided fluidly connected to the vessel inlet for the hot gaseous medium for passage of hot gaseous mixture counter currently to the flow of reactants in the catalyst bed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen generator that prevents the reformate water from bypassing the evaporator in a hydrogen generator, and the occurrence of sudden temperature changes within an evaporation flow path. The hydrogen generator comprises: an evaporator that produces a mixed gas by mixing a raw material gas containing methane with water vapor; a reformer that changes the mixed gas into a hydrogen-containing gas through a steam reforming reaction; and a combustor that supplies heat to the evaporator and the reformer. The evaporator comprises: an inner cylinder; an outer cylinder enclosing the inner cylinder; and a middle cylinder that is inserted between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and that defines a helical flow path between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, through which water supplied from the outside flows.

Abstract: An on-board fuel processor includes a microchannel steam reforming reactor (30) and a water vaporizer (40) heated in series with a combustion gas. The reformer (30) and the vaporizer (40) are both of a cross-flow panel configuration that allows for low combustion side pressure drop. Fuel is directly injected into the steam, and during a rapid cold start, both the combustion gas flow rate and the steam to carbon ratio are substantially increased relative to their steady state operating values. A rapid cold start can be achieved in under 30 seconds with a manageable amount of electric power consumption, removing impediments to use in automotive fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A fuel processing system for converting a logistical fuel and air into a liquid product comprising methanol. One such system comprises a fuel injection system configured to combine a logistical fuel and ambient air to produce a logistical fuel and air mixture, a synthesis gas production system configured to convert the logistical fuel and air mixture to synthesis gas, and a methanol synthesis system configured to convert the synthesis gas to a crude methanol liquid. Related methods are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation assemblies, hydrogen purification devices, and their components, and methods of manufacturing those assemblies, devices, and components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a vaporization region with packing material configured to transfer heat from a heated exhaust stream to a liquid-containing feed stream, and/or an insulation base adjacent a combustion region and configured to reduce external temperature of an enclosure. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a cooling block configured to maintain an igniter assembly in thermal communication with a feed stream conduit, an igniter assembly including a catalytic coating, and/or a fuel stream distribution assembly. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a heat conducting assembly configured to conduct heat from external heaters to an enclosure portion.

Abstract: A process for treating offshore natural gas includes processing the natural gas on an off-shore processing facility by, (i) liquefying and fractionating the natural gas to generate a liquefied natural gas stream and a higher hydrocarbon stream, (ii) vaporizing at least a portion of the higher hydrocarbon stream, (iii) passing the vaporized higher hydrocarbon stream and steam over a steam reforming catalyst to generate a reformed gas mixture comprising methane, steam, carbon oxides and hydrogen, (iv) passing the reformed gas mixture over a methanation catalyst to generate a methane rich gas, and (v) combining the methane-rich gas with the natural gas prior to the liquefaction step.

Abstract: A method for reforming hydrocarbon-containing feed gas into synthesis gas, involving processing of the feed gas by pre-reforming at least partially converting one or more higher hydrocarbons into methane, and heating the feed gas by exothermic catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons before the introduction thereof into the main reforming zone, and, subsequent to the pre-reforming, reforming the pre-reformed product with the addition of a controlled quantity of an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A gas-to-liquids process and plant for treating natural gas, in which the natural gas is subjected to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, enables liquids to be separated from the gas stream. The natural gas may be cooled before it reaches the flow restrictor by heat exchange with fluid that has passed through the flow restrictor. This decreases the proportion of longer-chain hydrocarbons in the natural gas, which may simplify subsequent processing, and may enable the size of the plant to be decreased.

Abstract: A system for the production of conversion products from synthesis gas, the system including a mixing apparatus configured for mixing steam with at least one carbonaceous material to produce a reformer feedstock; a reformer configured to produce, from the reformer feedstock, a reformer product comprising synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from the reformer feedstock; a synthesis gas conversion apparatus configured to catalytically convert at least a portion of the synthesis gas in the reformer product into synthesis gas conversion product and to separate from the synthesis gas conversion product a tailgas comprising at least one gas selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane; and one or more recycle lines fluidly connecting the synthesis gas conversion apparatus with the mixing apparatus, the reformer, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrogen generator for producing hydrogen by the steam-reforming reaction of hydrocarbons, in which a pressure loss induction structure for artificially reducing the pressure of exhaust gas is provided between a combustion unit and an exhaust gas discharge pipe, thus improving the uneven distribution of exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for actively controlling the steam-to-carbon ratio in hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems that include a feedstock delivery system. The feedstock delivery system supplies a combined feedstock stream including steam and carbon-containing feedstock to a hydrogen-producing region, which produces a mixed gas stream including hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom. The systems and methods may include measuring a thermodynamic property of a steam stream, a carbon-containing feedstock stream, and/or the combined feedstock stream and controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a water stream, the steam stream, and/or the carbon-containing feedstock stream based on a desired steam-to-carbon ratio in the combined feedstock stream and/or a desired flow rate of the mixed gas stream and may include feedforward and/or feedback control strategies.

Abstract: A method for generating and purifying syngas and to an apparatus for generating and purifying syngas is presented.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for monetizing energy. More specifically, the invention is directed to the economically efficient utilization of remote or stranded natural gas resources. The invention includes importing a high energy density material into an energy market and distributing the high energy density material (HEDM) therein. The HEDM is produced from reduction of a material oxide such as boria into the HEDM, which may be boron. The reduction utilizes remote hydrocarbon resources such as stranded natural gas resources.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power recovery process in waste steam/CO2 reformers whereby a waste stream can be made to release energy without having to burn the waste or the syngas. This invention does not make use of fuel cells as its critical component but makes use of highly exothermic chemical reactors using syngas to produce large amounts of heat, such as Fischer-Tropsch. It also relates to control or elimination of the emissions of greenhouse gases in the power recovery process of this invention with the goal of producing energy in the future carbonless world economy. A New Concept for a duplex kiln was developed that has the combined functionality of steam/CO2 reforming, heat transfer, solids removal, filtration, and heat recovery.

Abstract: A gasification system reduces volume of a bulky carbonaceous feedstock by pyrolysis to bring about a significant reduction in volume. The system includes a pyrolysis chamber, a reformer, a syngas burner, and a syngas storage tank. Flue gas is provided from the chamber to the reformer. Hot gases are introduced to the reformer from the syngas burner. The pyrolysis reaction occurs in the reformer to produce syngas of at least 1200° C. Some of the produced syngas is used to heat the pyrolysis chamber and the rest returns to the reformer with the flue gas. The syngas burner is situated horizontally at the bottom of the reformer, while the pyrolysis chamber is situated vertically at the top of the reformer. The reformer is inclined relative to each of the syngas burner and the pyrolysis chamber.

Abstract: A process and an installation for producing a synthesis gas by catalytic steam reforming of a charge of hydrocarbons is provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel exchanger-reactor intended to implement highly endothermic reactions such as natural gas or naphtha steam reforming, using in situ porous burners.

Abstract: Inexpensive heating fuel is used to generate heat required for completion of reformation of raw material to be reformed such as hydrocarbon gas, heavy oil or oil refining pitch so that the raw material may be reformed economically and stably. A reformer has a raw material feeder that feeds a predetermined amount of raw material to be reformed to a fluidized-bed reforming furnace; a fuel feeder feeds heating fuel to a fluidized-bed combustion furnace; and a controller regulates the fuel to be fed to the combustion furnace so as to impart heat to the circulating particles in the combustion furnace such that the raw material fed to the reforming furnace can be completely reformed in the reforming furnace.

Abstract: A process of catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon fuel with an oxidant to produce partially-oxidized reaction products including hydrogen, with simultaneous in-situ coke removal. The process involves feeding a hydrocarbon fuel and an oxidant to a reactor in a fuel-rich feed ratio; reacting the fuel and oxidant for a fuel-rich cycle-time so as to produce a partially-oxidized reaction product; varying the fuel feed, or the oxidant feed, or both feeds to produce a fuel-lean feed to the reactor; maintaining the fuel-lean feed for a fuel-lean cycle-time sufficient to reduce coke deposits while maintaining a substantially constant yield of partially-oxidized reaction product; and alternating between the fuel-rich and fuel-lean operating cycles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock and water vapor comprising: A stage for the production of a synthetic gas in a vapor reforming unit of the hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of water vapor, with a fuel that provides the heat that is necessary to the reaction, A stage for conversion to vapor of the synthetic gas that is obtained in the preceding stage producing a hydrogen stream that contains methane and carbon dioxide, A stage for recovering carbon dioxide that is present in the stream that is obtained in the stage for conversion to vapor, making it possible to separate the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen stream, A stage for recovery and recycling to the vapor reforming stage of impurities that are present in the hydrogen stream, comprising a decompression phase.

Abstract: Methane reacts with steam generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a first catalytic reactor; the resulting gas mixture undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a second catalytic reactor. In the steam/methane reforming, the gas mixture passes through a narrow channel having mean and exit temperatures both in the range of 750° C. to 900° C., residence time less than 0.5 second, and the channel containing a catalyst, so that only reactions having comparatively rapid kinetics will occur. Heat is provided by combustion of methane in adjacent channels. The ratio of steam to methane may be about 1.5. Almost all methane will undergo the reforming reaction, almost entirely forming carbon monoxide. After Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the remaining hydrogen may be fed back to the combustion channels. The steam for the reforming step may be generated from water generated by the chemical reactions, by condensing products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and by condensing water vapor generated in combustion.

Abstract: A catalytic secondary reforming process, for the production of synthesis gas, comprises the successive steps of: feeding a first gas flow comprising hydrocarbons and a second gas flow comprising oxygen into a reforming reactor, at least one of such gas flows being fed into the reactor in a predetermined feed direction substantially parallel, preferably coaxial, to a longitudinal axis of the reactor, mixing the gas flows in the reactor, with substantially simultaneous oxidation of the hydrocarbons of the first gas flow by the oxygen of the second flow.

Abstract: The apparatus converts ethylene in a dilute ethylene stream and dilute benzene in an aromatic containing stream via alkylation to heavier hydrocarbons. The catalyst may be a zeolite such as UZM-8. The catalyst is resistant to feed impurities such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon oxides, and hydrogen and selectively converts benzene. At least 40 wt-% of the ethylene in the dilute ethylene stream and at least 20 wt-% of the benzene in the dilute benzene stream can be converted to heavier hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and systems for low emission power generation in hydrocarbon recovery processes are provided. One system includes integrated pressure maintenance and miscible flood systems with low emission power generation. The system may also include integration of a pressure swing reformer (PSR), air-blown auto-thermal reformer (ATR), or oxygen-blown ATR with a gas power turbine system, preferably a combined cycle gas power turbine system. Such systems may be employed to capture and utilize greenhouse gases (GHG) and generate power for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations.

Abstract: A pyrolytic hydrogen generator comprising a pressure vessel containing a plurality of cardboard receptacles for the thermally decomposable hydrogen generating material and an associated ignition system. Also, a modular pellet tray assembly for use in the generator comprises a plurality of trays having pellet holders and associated igniters and held in a stack by support rods that also provide electrical connectivity to the trays.

Abstract: A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.

Abstract: An apparatus to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a solid material, which may be a high performance solid fuel, are presented. The apparatus provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available.

Abstract: A method of shutting down a hydrogen generation apparatus for limiting degradation in a catalyst due to dew condensation at the time of shutdown is provided. The method of shutting down the hydrogen generation apparatus comprising, a combustor which supplies heat necessary to a reforming device, a first air supplier which supplies air to the combustor, a combustion exhaust gas path formed such that the combustion exhaust gas produced in the combustor makes heat exchange with the reforming device and then with a CO reducing device, and a controller which operates the first air supplier so that the temperature of the gas in the CO reducing device does not become equal to or lower than a dew point after shutdown of the combustion operation of the combustor and before a start of a purging operation to purge the interiors of the reforming device and the CO reducing device with a replacement gas.

Abstract: A compact integrated combustion reactor is described. In a preferred embodiment, the combustion catalyst is disposed in a staggered configuration such that the hot spot in an adjacent endothermic reaction chamber is substantially less than would occur with a conventional, unstaggered configuration. The integrated reactor may also include a methanation chamber for methanation of a reformate product. Systems containing reactant and product streams, and methods of conducting integrated combustion reactions are also described. A staggered catalyst conformation can be used more broadly for thermal chemical reactions requiring heat transfer in a layered device.

Abstract: A sulfur breakthrough monitoring assembly for use in a fuel utilization system for detecting sulfur-containing compounds in desulfurized fuel, said monitoring assembly comprising: a heater for heating desulfurized fuel to a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being between 450° C. and 600° C., a sulfur breakthrough detector adapted to receive heated fuel from the heater and including at least a reforming catalyst bed for reforming the heated fuel and a plurality of temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the heated fuel before the fuel is conveyed through the reforming catalyst bed and a second temperature sensor for sensing temperature in the reforming catalyst bed, and a controller for determining whether concentration of the sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel exceeds a first predetermined concentration based on temperature outputs from the first and second temperature sensors.

Abstract: In a reforming apparatus, for use in a fuel cell, for reforming a raw fuel into a hydrogen-rich reformed gas, a reformer generates the reformed gas from the raw fuel. A shift reactor reduces carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas through a shift reaction. A selective oxidation unit reduces the carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas that has passed through the shift reactor by performing selective oxidation on the carbon monoxide. A reforming reaction tube houses linearly the reformer, the shift reactor and the selective oxidation unit in this order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing hydrogen gas with a fuel processing system that includes a hydrogen-producing region that produces hydrogen gas from a feed stream and a heating assembly that consumes a fuel stream to produce a heated exhaust stream for heating the hydrogen-producing region. In some embodiments, the heating assembly heats the hydrogen-producing region to at least a minimum hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the rate at which an air stream is delivered to the heating assembly is controlled to selectively increase or decrease the temperature of the heated exhaust stream. In some embodiments, the feed stream and the fuel stream both contain a carbon-containing feedstock and at least 25 wt % water. In some embodiments, the feed and fuel streams have the same composition.

Abstract: A fuel reformer is provided that is capable of improving endurance and performance. The fuel reformer includes a first burner having a first-burner first end, a first-burner second end, and a first opening formed in the first-burner first end; a second burner surrounding the first burner and having a second-burner second end, a second-burner second end, and a second opening in the second-burner first end, wherein the second-burner second end is coupled to the first-burner second end to communicate a fluid. The reforming reactor is configured to generate heat from the first and second burners, and has a fuel supply including a nozzle unit in the first burner and supplies a second oxidation fuel from the outside to the first burner. A first oxidation fuel is introduced into the first opening and flows through the first burner in a first direction and flows through the second burner in a third direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A hydrogen production system (X1) according to the present invention includes a reforming apparatus (Y1) having a vaporizer (1) and a reforming reactor (2), and a PSA apparatus (5). In the vaporizer (1) a mixed material (hydrocarbon-based material, water, and oxygen) is heated and vaporized. In the reforming reactor (2), steam reforming reaction and partial oxidation reaction of the hydrocarbon-based material take place at a time, so that reformed gas (containing hydrogen) is led out from the vaporized mixed material. In the PSA apparatus (5), the reformed gas is introduced into an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbing agent, so that an unnecessary component in the gas is adsorbed by the adsorbing agent and hence hydrogen-rich gas is led out of the tower, while the unnecessary component is desorbed from the adsorbing agent, so that hydrogen-containing desorbed gas that contains the unnecessary component and hydrogen remaining in the tower is discharged out of the tower.