Catalytic Reaction Patents (Class 423/651)
  • Publication number: 20140134101
    Abstract: The present application describes a catalyst that is suitable for the CO2 reforming of methane-rich gases, such as biogas, that is resistant to poisoning by sulfur. The catalyst comprises from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % Ni and 0 wt % to about 10 wt % Co supported on a support having a formula selected from: (a) Al2O3; (b) M1aOb-AI2O3; and (c) M1aOb—ZrO2-AI2O3, where M1aOb is either CaO or MgO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Raphael Idem, Ataullah Khan Mohammed, Bappy Saha
  • Patent number: 8722010
    Abstract: A method for the coproduction of oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen using an ion transport membrane is provided. This method includes separating a compressed, hot air stream in an ion transport membrane, thereby producing a product oxygen stream and a hot nitrogen rich stream; utilizing at least a portion of the hot nitrogen rich stream as a heat source for reforming a hydrocarbons stream, thereby producing a syngas stream and a warm product nitrogen stream; and separating the syngas stream into a product hydrogen stream and a carbon dioxide rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 8709378
    Abstract: A catalytic composition is particularly well suited for hydrocarbon conversion to synthesis gas at a temperature of between 800 and 1000° Celsius. The catalytic composition includes a noble metal cluster having an X-Y-Z axial mean linear dimension of between 2 and 15 Angstroms and a super cage structure surrounding the noble metal cluster. The super cage structure stabilizes the noble metal cluster against aggregation at temperatures of 1000° Celsius. A process for reforming hydrocarbon feedstock to hydrogen and carbon monoxide is also provided that conversion to greater than 80% of theoretical yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ivan Chihang Lee
  • Patent number: 8697597
    Abstract: A method and system for the reduction of pollutant NOx gases from automobile exhaust, as well as a method of reforming hydrocarbons, using a self-sustaining catalyst comprising an ion conductive support, a dispersed cathodic phase, a dispersed anodic phase, and a dispersed sacrificial phase, and a method of forming the self-sustaining catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: University of Miami
    Inventor: Xiangyang Zhou
  • Patent number: 8697027
    Abstract: Methods and systems of providing a source of hydrogen and oxygen with high volumetric energy density, as well as a power systems useful in non-air breathing engines such as those in, for example, submersible vehicles, is disclosed. A hydride reactor may be utilized in forming hydrogen from a metal hydride and a peroxide reactor may be utilized in forming oxygen from hydrogen peroxide. The high temperature hydrogen and oxygen may be converted to water using a solid oxide fuel cell, which serves as a power source. The power generation system may have an increased energy density in comparison to conventional batteries. Heat produced by exothermic reactions in the hydride reactor and the peroxide reactor may be transferred and utilized in other aspects of the power generation system. High temperature water produced during by the peroxide reactor may be used to fuel the hydride reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Ighor K. Uzhinsky, Gary K. Lund, John C. Leylegian, Florin Girlea, Jason S. Tyll, Lawrence G. Piper, Marten Byl, Wallace Chinitz
  • Patent number: 8696775
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Proton Power, Inc
    Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley
  • Patent number: 8685358
    Abstract: In various implementations, feed streams that include ultrapure, high-pressure hydrogen streams and ultrapure, high-pressure nitrogen streams are reacted to produce ultrapure, high-pressure feed gas in a stoichiometric ratio to an ammonia synthesis reactor loop without or independent of including a methanol loop purge gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventor: Rodney J. Allam
  • Patent number: 8673512
    Abstract: When terminating power generation by a fuel cell 3 in a fuel cell system 1, an amount of a raw fuel material introduced to a reforming catalyst 2a of a reformer 2 is reduced. Here, before the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a is lowered to the un-reformed gas generation temperature, an amount of water supplied to the reforming catalyst 2a is controlled to increase the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a. Thus, upon termination of power generation in the fuel cell 3, no un-reformed gas is generated and the reformed gas is supplied to the fuel cell 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Tomotaka Ishida
  • Publication number: 20140056803
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to nitrogen based hydrocarbon compounds such as pyridines. The method includes the reaction of acetylene with ammonia and controlling the ratio of acetylene to ammonia to generate the desired nitrogen based hydrocarbon compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Bricker, John Q. Chen, Peter K. Coughlin, Debarshi Majumder
  • Patent number: 8642667
    Abstract: A process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds is described, comprising the steps of (i) heating the synthesis gas and (ii) passing at least part of the heated synthesis gas and steam through a reactor containing a sour shift catalyst, wherein the synthesis gas is heated by passing it through a plurality of tubes disposed within said catalyst in a direction co-current to the flow of said synthesis gas through the catalyst. The resulting synthesis gas may be passed to one or more additional reactors containing sour shift catalyst to maximize the yield of hydrogen production, or used for methanol production, for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons or for the production of synthetic natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventor: Peter Edward James Abbott
  • Patent number: 8636826
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
  • Patent number: 8636922
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering high purity gaseous hydrogen and high purity gaseous carbon dioxide from a syngas stream by utilizing a hydrogen selective membrane unit and a primary water gas shift reactor in combination with a cryogenic purification unit, a hydrogen recovery unit and a secondary water gas shift reactor or by utilizing a hydrogen membrane/water gas shift reactor in combination with a cryogenic purification unit, a hydrogen recovery unit and a secondary water gas shift reactor. Each of these embodiments may further include a sulfur recovery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bhadra S. Grover, Paul Terrien
  • Patent number: 8636828
    Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: DCNS SA
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Patent number: 8628887
    Abstract: A technique to provide fuel to a solid oxide fuel cell with low water consumption is described that includes providing an initial fuel mixture with air and hydrocarbon, and partially oxidizing the fuel mixture with a catalyst to provide a reformed fuel mixture. Also included is adding an amount of water to the reformed fuel mixture to reduce formation of elemental carbon from carbon monoxide in the reformed fuel mixture and supplying a portion of the reformed fuel mixture combined with water to an electrochemical device that produces electrical power from hydrogen in the reformed fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Luo, Daniel Norrick
  • Publication number: 20130343985
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a tubular catalyst-containing reactor system is provided. The system includes a housing and a vaporizer unit in the housing comprising a helically wound tubular assembly for receiving and at least partially vaporizing a liquid chemical reactant stream. A reformer unit in the housing receives a vaporized chemical reactant stream from the vaporizer unit. The reformer unit comprises a helically wound tubular assembly connected to and positioned coaxially relative to the helically wound tubular assembly of the vaporizer unit. The helically wound tubular assembly of the reformer unit contains a catalyst for catalyzing formation of gas product stream from the vaporized chemical reactant stream. A burner unit heats the vaporizer unit and the reformer unit. The burner unit receives a fuel stream and an air stream and produces a flame generally inside the helically wound tubular assemblies of the vaporizer unit and the reformer unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HY9 CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles W. Krueger, George M. Roberts, Edward G. Kelrikh, Michael Y. Leshchiner
  • Publication number: 20130323162
    Abstract: The invention provides an integrated catalyst and membrane reactor for the production a predetermined gas such as hydrogen. The reactor comprises a gas flow channel, comprising a plurality of alternating catalyst sections and membrane sections, wherein each catalyst section comprises a catalyst bed and each membrane section comprises a plurality of membranes, and wherein the membranes are selectively permeable for the predetermined gaseous species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Arend De Groot, Yvonne Christine Van Delft, Marija Saric
  • Patent number: 8591861
    Abstract: A production process includes combining a first feed stream and a second feed stream to produce, in a pre-reforming reactor, a first product stream comprising CH4 and H2O; wherein the first feed stream contains a mixture of H2 and at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms and alcohols having two or more carbon atoms, and the mixture has a hydrogen stoichiometric ratio (?) of at least 0.1, and the second feed stream contains steam; feeding the first product stream into a reforming reactor; and reacting the first product stream in the reforming reactor to produce a second product stream containing CO and H2; and a catalyst for use in the process. Conversion of the second product stream to synthetic crude, methanol, higher alcohols, and/or DME may also be undertaken. Yet further conversion of a synthetic crude to lubricants, diesel and the like, and/or the alcohols/DME to gasoline, olefins, and/or other oxygenates may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Rama A. Zakaria, Maxim Lyubovsky, Stephen C. Leviness
  • Publication number: 20130309164
    Abstract: Reactor vessels with pressure and heat transfer features for producing hydrogen-based fuels and structural elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative reactor system includes a first reaction zone and a heat path, a reactant source coupled to the first reaction zone, and a first actuator coupled to cyclically pressurize the first reaction zone. A second reaction zone is in fluid communication with the first, a valve is coupled between the first and second reaction zones to control a flow rate therebetween, and a second actuator is coupled in fluid communication with the second reaction zone to cyclically pressurize the second reaction zone. First and second heat exchangers direct heat from products to reactants in the reaction zones. A controller controls the first and second actuators in a coordinated manner based at least in part on a flow rate of the second product from the second reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8574422
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for producing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel by combining the fuel with a gas comprising both oxygen and steam, and passing the resulting mixture through a plasma generated by a microwave plasma generator between opposed electrodes. At least one of the electrodes defines a duct for outflow of gaseous material from the vicinity of the plasma, and the gas mixture emerging from the outflow duct contains hydrogen. The fuel undergoes partial oxidation and steam reforming, the reactions being initiated by the plasma rather than by a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Philip Michael Beech, Stuart Leigh Jones, James Timothy Shawcross
  • Patent number: 8563185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, comprising: a) supplying a gaseous hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and steam to a reaction zone comprising a steam reforming catalyst and catalytically reforming the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce a reformed gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide; b) supplying a molecular oxygen-comprising gas to the permeate side of a first hydrogen separation membrane; c) contacting a part of the hydrogen with a first hydrogen separation membrane, allowing the hydrogen to permeate through the first hydrogen separation membrane and combusting the hydrogen with the molecular oxygen at a permeate side of the first hydrogen separation membrane to produce all heat necessary for catalytic reforming the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock; d) contacting the remainder of the hydrogen with a second hydrogen separation membrane, which is separate from the first hydrogen separation membrane, and allowing the hydroge
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gerrit Jan Barend Assink, Gert Jan Kramer, Arian Nijmeijer, Martin Van Sint Annaland
  • Patent number: 8551444
    Abstract: Embodiments of a compact pressure swing reformer are disclosed. Certain embodiments have a construction comprising multiple rotating reformer beds, high temperature rotary valves at the bed ends, and E-seals to seal the beds to the valves. Several possible designs for introducing reactants into the beds also are disclosed. The multiple reformer beds are configured to provide for pressure equalization and ‘steam push’. The compact pressure swing reformer is suitable for use in fuel cell vehicle applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Agnihotri, Soheil Alizadeh-Khiavi, Paul Berlowitz, Brooke Cox, Bruce Derites, Jeffrey Frederick, Jeffrey Grenda, Kamal Hatami, Frank Hershkowitz, Zhiguo Hou, Daryl Musselman, Novica Rados, John Siller, Richard Socha, George Walchuk
  • Publication number: 20130243687
    Abstract: Provided are a carbon catalyst for hydrogen production having an excellent catalytic activity, a production method therefor, and a method of producing hydrogen using the catalyst. The carbon catalyst for hydrogen production is a carbon catalyst, which is obtained by carbonizing a raw material including an organic substance and a transition metal, the catalyst being used for hydrogen production by thermal decomposition of a hydrocarbon compound and/or an oxygen-containing organic compound. Further, the carbon catalyst for hydrogen production may be obtained by loading an alkaline earth metal on a carbonized material produced by the carbonization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicants: NISSHINBO HOLDINGS INC., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION GUNMA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jun-ichi Ozaki, Rieko Kobayashi, Chihiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130243686
    Abstract: A hydrogen production process wherein steam and a hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a prereformer, the prereformed intermediate is further reacted in an oxygen-based reformer, the reformate is shifted and then separated by a pressure swing adsorber to form a H2 product stream and a tail gas, a first portion of the tail gas is recycled to the prereformer and/or the oxygen-based reformer, and a second portion of the tail gas is recycled to the pressure swing adsorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Genkin, Patricia Kentosh Hershman, Edward Landis Weist, JR., Jianguo Xu
  • Patent number: 8524119
    Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst for preparing synthesis gas from natural gas and carbon dioxide, and a method for preparing the same. More particularly, a combined reforming process is performed as an economical way of using carbon dioxide, wherein steam reforming of natural gas is carried out simultaneously with carbon dioxide reforming of methane in such a manner that a predetermined ratio of carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide/hydrogen (H2/(2CO+3CO2)=0.85-1.15) is maintained. In this manner, the catalyst is used to prepare synthesis gas suitable for methanol synthesis and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Disclosed also is a method for preparing synthesis gas on a specific catalyst consisting of Ni/Ce/MgAlOx or Ni/Ce-Zr/MgAlOx. The catalyst is inhibited from deactivation caused by generation of cokes during the reaction as well as deactivation caused by reoxidation of nickel with water added during the reaction. Therefore, the catalyst shows excellent activity as compared to other catalysts for use in combined reforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Ki Won Jun, Seung-Chan Baek, Jong Wook Bae, Keh-Sik Min, Seok-Lyong Song, Tae-Young Oh
  • Patent number: 8522573
    Abstract: A system for conversion of waste and solar heat energy into a carbon sequestration device, including as a collector for collecting carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas source, such as ambient air. The Joule Thompson effect is used to cool and thereby refrigerate/liquefy ambient air and then extracting carbon dioxide therefrom, comprising steps of and means for providing a hydride heat engine, operating the hydride heat engine utilizing hydride thermal compression technology to compress hydrogen gas and thereby to cool ambient air to a temperature rendering air into a refrigerated/liquefied state by use of a Joule-Thompson type process, and extracting carbon dioxide from the refrigerated/liquefied ambient air and collecting the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ergenics Corporation
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Publication number: 20130224106
    Abstract: A process for the decomposition of methane can be controlled to form ethane or hydrogen with a solid carbon product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
  • Patent number: 8519012
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for storing solar energy in organic compounds. The process comprises providing a water source and a carbon source. Water present in the water source is activated using solar energy. Activated water is reacted with the carbon source to form an organic compound comprising hydrogen and carbon. The organic compound has higher energy content than the carbon source. In a specific embodiment the organic compound is used as a fuel in an electricity-generating device, such as a fuel cell. In this embodiment the preferred organic compound is methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Antecy B.V.
    Inventor: Paul O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8518151
    Abstract: A dense hydrogen-permeable layer, such as palladium or palladium alloy, is deposited on a porous hollow fiber. A porous hollow fiber is defined as having an inner diameter of approximately 30 microns to approximately 1500 microns and an outer diameter of approximately 100 microns to approximately 2000 microns. This allows an order-of-magnitude increase in the surface per volume ratio in a hydrogen separation or purification module, or a membrane reformer or reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude el l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Tessier, Edgar S. Sanders, Jr., Pascal J. Tromeur
  • Publication number: 20130216473
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an assembly for use with a lean NOx catalyst (LNC) is described. An outer tube is coupled to the LNC. An inner tube is disposed completely inside the outer tube. The exhaust flow is split between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube houses a catalytic fuel vaporizer and a catalytic fuel reformer that convert at least a portion of the injected hydrocarbons to hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and vaporized hydrocarbons for NOx reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
  • Patent number: 8506915
    Abstract: This invention involves a cyclic method for capturing CO2 from gas streams arising from processes of reforming, gasification or combustion of carbonaceous fuels. The method is based on these gas streams reacting with solids that contain at least CaO and a metal or an oxidized form of the metal. The method is characterized by the oxidized form of the metal being able to undergo a sufficiently exothermic reduction reaction for the heat released during the reaction to cause the decomposition of CaCO3. The thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of the method of this invention make it ideal for the removal of the CO2 present in gas streams resulting from processes such as hydrocarbon reforming or the combustion of carbonaceous fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Abanades García, Ramón Murillo Villuendas
  • Patent number: 8500830
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus and a fuel cell using the same is provided. The hydrogen generating apparatus is adapted to a fuel cell, and includes a main body, an electromagnet, a magnetic element, a containing tank and a sliding element. The electromagnet is fixed on the main body. The magnetic element is movably disposed on the main body. The containing tank is fixed on the main body and is used for containing liquid water. The sliding element is slidably disposed on the main body, wherein a solid fuel is fixed on the sliding element. When the electromagnet is electrified to generate magnetic force to drive a motion of the magnetic element, the magnetic element drives the sliding element to slide towards the containing tank, so that the solid fuel reacts with the liquid water in the containing tank to generate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.
    Inventors: Po-Kuei Chou, Cheng Wang, Yueh-Chang Wu
  • Publication number: 20130195750
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing a catalyst which reforms a methane gas into a hydrogen gas efficiently at a relatively low temperature comprising a palladium deposition step in which a manganese dioxide having a ramsdellite-type crystal structure is immersed in a palladium-containing aqueous solution to allow the palladium to be deposited on the surface of said manganese dioxide, and a heat treatment step in which said manganese dioxide having the palladium deposited thereon is heated under a reducing atmosphere to change said manganese dioxide to a manganese oxide Mn3O4 having the palladium carried thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Hideki Koyanaka, Masahiko Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 8496908
    Abstract: A steam methane reforming process for producing a hydrogen product while capturing CO2 from the process. Steam and a hydrocarbon are reformed in a catalytic reformer. The reformate is separated by pressure swing adsorption to form the hydrogen product and a PSA tail gas. The tail gas is returned to the reformer as a fuel. The fuel is combusted with synthetic air where the synthetic air is formed by combining a portion of the flue gas with industrial grade oxygen. The flue gas consists essentially of CO2 and H2O. The H2O is condensed out of another portion of the flue gas to form an essentially pure CO2 product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Genkin, Kevin Boyle Fogash, Kathleen M. Dent
  • Patent number: 8486367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating hydrogen (5), wherein an input (1) comprising carbon is fed longitudinally through a tube-shaped reaction chamber (Z), together with water steam (2), and is thereby converted by steam reforming, and hydrogen (4) formed during steam reforming is continuously drawn off out of the reaction chamber (Z) through a separating wall (T), said wall being selectively hydrogen-permeable at least in segments, and at a pressure less than the pressure in the reaction chamber (Z) and greater than the ambient pressure, having greater purity than product (5), characterized in that a separating wall (T) is used, the selectively hydrogen-permeability segments thereof being disposed such that a hydrogen partial pressure drop exists over the entire surface of each of such segments between the reaction chamber side and the hydrogen extraction side (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Linde AG
    Inventors: Karl Heinz Hofmann, Nicole Schoedel, Klaus Klapper, Axel Behrens, Roland Dittmeyer
  • Patent number: 8486301
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of utilizing a catalyst system for an oxidation process on a gaseous hydrocarbon stream with a mitigation of carbon accumulation. The system is comprised of a catalytically active phase deposited onto an oxygen conducting phase, with or without supplemental support. The catalytically active phase has a specified crystal structure where at least one catalytically active metal is a cation within the crystal structure and coordinated with oxygen atoms within the crystal structure. The catalyst system employs an optimum coverage ratio for a given set of oxidation conditions, based on a specified hydrocarbon conversion and a carbon deposition limit. Specific embodiments of the catalyst system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: David A Berry, Dushyant Shekhawat, Mark Smith, Daniel Haynes
  • Patent number: 8486368
    Abstract: A process for producing the porous catalyst body for decomposing hydrocarbons, the body containing at least magnesium, aluminum and nickel, and has a pore volume of 0.01 to 0.5 cm3/g, an average pore diameter of not more than 300 ? and an average crushing strength of not less than 3 kgf. The process includes molding hydrotalcite containing at least magnesium, aluminum and nickel, and calcining the resulting molded product at a temperature of 700 to 1500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toda Kogyo Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Naoya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8460630
    Abstract: When the production of hydrogen and the recovery of carbon dioxide are simultaneously performed by using as a raw material a carbon-containing fuel, the increase of the system cost is suppressed and the efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Niitsuma, Shunsuke Maekawa, Yoshihiro Kobori
  • Patent number: 8460633
    Abstract: Process for the production of high-purity hydrogen from an ethanol or higher-alcohol feedstock, employing a steam reforming unit, a carbon monoxide conversion unit and a membrane separation unit and comprising intense thermal integration that is obtained by combustion under the control of an effluent of the process so as to provide the calories that are necessary to the steam reforming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Dominique Casanave, Nicolas Boudet
  • Publication number: 20130142726
    Abstract: Hydrogenated liquid organic compounds are used for storage and supply of hydrogen at near ambient conditions. The hydrogen is released from the hydrogenated liquid organic compounds through a catalytic dehydrogenation reaction using a M/support or M-M?/support catalyst. The M/support catalyst comprises a metal M selected from Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os, or combination thereof, and a support selected from Y2O3 or V2O5 or combinations thereof. The M-M?/support catalyst comprises a first metal M selected from Cu, Ag, Au, or combination thereof, a second metal M? selected from Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os, Fe, Ni, Re, Mo, W, V, Cr, Co or combinations thereof, and a support selected from activated carbon, alumina, alumite, zirconia, silica or combination thereof. Synergistic effects are created by using the combination of the M and M? in the catalyst, which result in shifting of the equilibrium of the reaction favorably to dehydrogenation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Rajesh Bhaskar Biniwale, Jayshri Vijay Pande, Anshu Ajit Shukla
  • Patent number: 8444951
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel, a supply of oxidant, and a supply of liquid water; atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant and steam; catalytically reacting the fuel-oxidant-steam mixture in a catalyst bed; initiating the catalytic reaction with an ignition source; positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalyst bed so as to convert the liquid water to steam; and feeding the steam into the catalytic reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a liquid fuel vaporizer. A preferred catalyst bed includes an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Maxim Lyubovsky, Curtis Morgan, Joel DesJardins, Dennis E. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20130058861
    Abstract: A series of ternary oxide and quaternary oxide catalysts were prepared and evaluated for various reforming processes. Representative examples of these catalysts were found to be active and stable for all the processes tested verifying the “feedstock and process flexible” nature of these catalysts. Thus, feedstock- and process-flexible reforming catalysts for hydrogen and/or syngas production have been developed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: University of Regina
    Inventors: Raphael Idem, Ataullah Khan Mohammed, Hussameldin Ibrahim, Paitoon Tontiwachwuthikul, Thitinat Sukonket, Mohammed Faysal Ahamed Khan, Protyai Sengupta, Mohammed Abu Zahid, Bappy Saha
  • Patent number: 8383078
    Abstract: Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, John Michael Repasky, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng
  • Patent number: 8378159
    Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon fuel from a hydrocarbon-containing gas is disclosed and described. A hydrocarbon-containing gas is produced (10) containing from about 25% to about 50% carbon dioxide and can be reformed (12) with a steam gas to form a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The reforming can be a composite dry-wet reforming or a tri-reforming step. The mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide can be at least partially converted (14) to a methanol product. The methanol product can be converted to the hydrocarbon fuel (18), optionally via DME synthesis (16). The method allows for effective fuel production with low catalyst fouling rates and for operation in an unmanned, self-contained unit at the source of the hydrocarbon-producing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Oberon Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Corradini, Jarod McCormick
  • Patent number: 8372375
    Abstract: For recovering hydrogen with a high recovery from a reformed gas and contributing to downsizing and cost reduction of facilities, a high-purity hydrogen E is obtained by reforming a reformable raw material A through a reforming unit 1 to yield a hydrogen-rich reformed gas B, compressing the hydrogen-rich reformed gas B with a compressor 2, allowing the compressed gas to pass through a PSA unit 3 to remove unnecessary gases other than carbon monoxide by adsorption, and allowing the resulting gas to pass through a carbon monoxide remover 4 packed with a carbon monoxide adsorbent supporting a copper halide to remove carbon monoxide by adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Nakao, Takeshi Yamashita, Akitoshi Fujisawa, Keita Yura
  • Patent number: 8361433
    Abstract: There is provided a technique for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing gas. An oxygen-containing gas is mixed with a feed gas obtained by mixing steam with a hydrocarbon fuel, this mixture is introduced into a catalytic reaction chamber, and a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction are conducted to obtain a hydrogen-containing gas. In this reforming, an antechamber of the catalytic reaction chamber is heated up to a self-ignition temperature in a first catalyst section, where the self-ignition temperature is the temperature at which a mixed gas self-ignites during the advection period required for the mixed gas to move from a mixing chamber to the catalytic reaction chamber, with this temperature being at least a minimum partial-oxidation temperature and lower than a minimum steam reforming temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuyuki Noguchi, Naoki Inoue, Kota Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8353977
    Abstract: A hydrogen separator exhibits excellent hydrogen separation performance and durability and prevents scattering of an iron-containing substance that causes defects of a selective hydrogen permeable metal membrane in a first passage by covering an iron-containing metal surface that is exposed in the first passage and forms at least part of the first passage and a member disposed in the first passage with an iron component scattering prevention film at least in an area positioned on an upstream side with respect to a downstream end of a permeable section of the selective hydrogen permeable metal membrane in a flow direction of a fluid that flows through the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Noda
  • Patent number: 8343456
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon reforming catalyst which maintains carrier strength even after a long-term thermal history and which exhibits high catalytic activity is prepared by causing at least one noble metal component selected from among a ruthenium component, a platinum component, a rhodium component, a palladium component, and an iridium component to be supported on a carrier containing manganese oxide, alumina, and at least one compound selected from among lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, and zirconium oxide, or a carrier containing silicon oxide, manganese oxide, and alumina. By use of the reforming catalyst, hydrogen is produced through steam reforming (1), autothermal reforming (2), partial-oxidation reforming (3), or carbon dioxide reforming (4). A fuel cell system is constituted from a reformer employing the reforming catalyst, and a fuel cell employing, as a fuel, hydrogen produced by the reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Kawashima, Hiroshi Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20120321550
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a mononuclear metal complex that has high catalytic activity and can be used as a hydrogenation reduction catalyst that allows efficient hydrogenation reduction of a substance to be reduced; a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof; or a salt thereof. Provided is the mononuclear metal complex represented by the following formula (1), a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof; or a salt thereof. In the formula (1), Ar1 is an aromatic anionic ligand or an aromatic ligand, or is not present, Ar2 is a ligand having aromaticity and may or may not be substituted, and when Ar2 is substituted, the number of substituents may be one or more, M is an atom or ion of a transition metal, A1 and A2 are both carbon atoms, or one of A1 and A2 is a carbon atom and the other is a nitrogen atom, Y is an anionic group or a cationic group, or is not present, L is any ligand or is not present, and m is a positive integer, 0, or a negative integer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shunichi Fukuzumi, Tomoyoshi Suenobu, Yuta Maenaka
  • Publication number: 20120321549
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing hydrogen aimed at storage and transportation, by which hydrogen for storage and transportation that is necessary for smoothly performing an organic chemical hydride method can be industrially produced efficiently at low cost. The method is a method for producing hydrogen aimed at storage and transportation in an organic chemical hydride method, in which: the hydrogenation process of an aromatic compound uses, as a hydrogen source for the reaction of the aromatic compound, a reaction gas is produced by a reforming reaction and adjusted a hydrogen concentration from 30 to 70 vol % by a shift reaction; and a hydrogenated aromatic compound is separated from a reaction mixture obtained in the hydrogenation process, which is followed by purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshimi Okada, Masashi Saito, Shuhei Wakamatsu, Mitsunori Shimura
  • Patent number: 8333951
    Abstract: A method produces a product gas rich in hydrogen. A starting material including carbon is split via pyrolysis, and the resulting gas is mixed with water vapor to increase the hydrogen content and heated. The heat necessary comes from the combustion of the produced pyrolysis coke. The heat necessary for individual process steps is fed via a heat transfer medium circuit having a heating zone heated via flue gas from the pyrolysis coke firing. The gas/water vapor mixture is subsequently heated in a reaction zone. The heat transfer medium heats the starting material in a pyrolysis zone indirectly, without directly contacting the starting material, is cooled in a cooling zone, and subsequently returns to the beginning of the circuit. Upstream of the heating zone, the heat transfer medium is preheated via the hot product gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Heinz-Juergen Muehlen