Catalytic Reaction Patents (Class 423/651)
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Patent number: 7368482Abstract: Partial oxidation process of liquid fuels, selected from hydrocarbon and/or oxygenated compounds, together with gaseous fuels, selected from hydrocarbon compounds, natural gas and LPG, by means of a suitable catalytic system comprising the following steps: premixing the reagents and possibly heating them to temperatures ranging from 25 to 400° C., said reagents consisting of said liquid fuels, said gaseous fuels and oxygen or air or oxygen enriched air, optionally in the presence of vapor and/or CO2; reacting the mixture of reagents in the catalytic zone, at inlet temperatures ranging from 50 to 500° C. and space velocities ranging from 1,000 to 1,000,000 Nl reagents/L cat×h, reaching temperatures ranging from 450 to 1350° C.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Enitecnologie S.p.A.Inventors: Luca Basini, Andrea Bartolini, Giancarlo Lupi, Gabriele Carlo Ettore Clerici
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Patent number: 7364712Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst for removing hydrocarbons from a combustion gas containing methane and containing an excess of oxygen, which comprises iridium supported on zirconium oxide; and a method of removing hydrocarbons from a combustion gas containing methane and containing an excess of oxygen, which comprises using this catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Osaka Gas Company LimitedInventors: Hirofumi Ohtsuka, Takenori Hirano
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Patent number: 7354560Abstract: Process for the removal of organic and/or inorganic sulfur from an ammonia stream by passing said stream through a fixed bed of sulfur absorbent in a sulfur absorber and withdrawing a sulfur-free ammonia stream, wherein said sulfur absorbent is a catalyst having a total nickel content in reduced form in the range 10 wt % to 70 wt % with the balance being a carrier material selected from the group of alumina, magnesium alumina spinel, silica, titania, magnesia, zirconia and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/SInventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Leif Storgaard
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Patent number: 7354566Abstract: A fuel gas production apparatus includes a vaporization mechanism, a reforming mechanism, a PSA mechanism, a supply passage, a combustion air supply mechanism and an ECU. The vaporization mechanism has a combustion catalyst for vaporizing a fuel. The reforming mechanism reforms the vaporized fuel to obtain a reformed gas. The PSA mechanism refines the reformed gas by removing impurities to produce a fuel gas. The impurities removed by the PSA mechanism are continuously supplied as a heat source fuel to the vaporization mechanism through the supply passage. The combustion air supply mechanism supplies combustion air to the vaporization mechanism. The ECU controls the amount of the combustion air supplied to the vaporization mechanism synchronously with the change in the amount of heat energy of the impurities supplied to the vaporization mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hikaru Okada, Hiroshi Machida, Nobuyoshi Yoshida
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Patent number: 7351275Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for producing carbon monoxide. A feed gas stream of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide is directed to a membrane unit which separates the feed gas stream into two streams. The stream containing carbon monoxide is directed to second membrane unit for further purification and the steam containing the carbon dioxide and hydrogen is fed to a reverse shift reactor to produce more carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide recovered from the reverse shift reactor is purified in a third membrane unit and directed back to the first membrane unit and is further purified and recovered as additional carbon monoxide product.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.Inventor: Graeme John Dunn
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Publication number: 20080075655Abstract: The present invention provides for a gas mixing device and its use in a catalytic partial oxidation reactor. The gas mixing device is typically an eductor such as a venturi-type eductor which will mix the feed gases used in the catalytic partial oxidation process. Two gas mixing devices may be used in sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: Lev Davydov, Weibin Jiang, Jason Norman, Bruce Uhlman
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Publication number: 20080069765Abstract: An improved process for the catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide is disclosed. The process also utilizes a novel catalyst configuration apparatus containing a first stage reactor which contains a first layer of a noble or transition metal catalyst on a support and a second layer of a reduced metal catalyst supported on or in a stable inorganic metal oxide washcoated on a support, and a second stage reactor which is a shift reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2006Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Weibin Jiang, Satish Tamhankar
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Patent number: 7344789Abstract: The invention provides a controlled hypergolic approach to using concentrated hydrogen peroxide in combination with certain hydrocarbons such as ethanol, methanol, methane as well as more common fuels such as gasoline, diesel, DME, JP5, JP8 and the like to generate a gas mixture primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Because air is not used as the oxygen source, this novel process does not allow the formation of nitrous oxide (NOx) compounds, thereby avoiding the primary source of nitrogen contamination as well. The process is executed in a constraining system on a micro scale such that the resulting hydrogen supply is self-pressurizing. This enables the incorporation of an “on-demand” hydrogen fuel source for a variable output fuel cell power plant such as those proposed for use in automobiles, marine vessels and stationary power sources. In another embodiment of the present invention hydrogen peroxide is catalytically, or thermally reacted to provide H2O vapor and O2.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: CBH2 Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Barber, Jeremiah J. Cronin
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Patent number: 7341610Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell unit and a gas-generating system containing at least one reforming unit for obtaining a hydrogen-rich reformate from a fuel. It is possible to supply the reformate at least partly to the anode side of the fuel cell unit. The system may include a first reforming reactor for producing a first reformate with a high outlet temperature; a second reforming reactor for producing a second reformate with a second outlet temperature which is below the first outlet temperature; a mixing element for mixing the first reformate with at least one fuel and located between an outlet of the first reforming reactor and an inlet of the second reforming reactor. The second reformate may be supplied to a gas-purification system and the purified reformate supplied to the fuel cell unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: NuCellSys GmbHInventor: Uwe Griesmeier
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Publication number: 20080056985Abstract: A high efficiency catalyst for use in a catalytic partial oxidation process for the production of hydrogen or syngas gas from hydrocarbons is disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhenium in combination with a second metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium at an atomic ratio of rhenium to second metal of from 25:1 to 1:1. The process comprises reacting a feed containing hydrocarbons with an oxygen source at a C/O ratio of about 0.9 to about 1.1 in the presence of the catalyst, and wherein the gas hourly space velocity of the feed over the catalyst ranges from about 1,000 hr?1 to about 2,000,000 hr?1. In the process, the catalyst is maintained at a temperature of from about 500° C. to about 1,500° C. as the feed makes contact with the catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Shizhong Zhao, X.D. Hu, David Patrick Tolle, David B. Rogers
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Patent number: 7335346Abstract: The present invention provides a method of steam reforming a hydrocarbon over a catalyst at short residence times or short contact times. The present invention also provides spinel-containing catalysts. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, David P. Vanderwiel
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Patent number: 7332146Abstract: Processes, methods, systems and devices for zero emission liquid hydrogen production directly from a variety of methane sources, such as natural gas and landfill gas, are disclosed. Five embodiments of plant designs for liquid hydrogen production are presented. The embodiments combine hydrogen production and liquefaction into a single process to produce liquid hydrogen directly via methane containing gases; thus, eliminating the conventional technology of pressure swing adsorption process for gas mixture separation. The innovative process can be applied to produce high purity liquid hydrogen with no carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere; and can also co-produce highly pure solid carbon and liquid carbon dioxide as by-products for industrial application.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Research Foundation of the University of Central Florida, Inc.Inventors: Cunping Huang, Nazim Muradov, Ali T. Raissi
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Patent number: 7332147Abstract: A process is provided for reforming a hydrocarbon with carbon dioxide using a selectively permeable membrane reactor including a catalyst for accelerating a chemical reaction and a selectively permeable membrane exhibiting selective permeability, wherein a carbon dioxide reforming reaction of the hydrocarbon is accelerated by the catalyst to produce reaction products, and a specific component among the reaction products is allowed to pass through the selectively permeable membrane so specific component is selectively separated. The process includes the steps of adding steam to a raw material gas containing the hydrocarbon and the carbon dioxide and supplying the raw material gas mixture to the selectively permeable membrane reactor.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Akira Takahashi, Nobuhiko Mori, Toshiyuki Nakamura
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Patent number: 7323159Abstract: An improved fuel processor for fuel cells is provided whereby the startup time of the processor is less than sixty seconds and can be as low as 30 seconds, if not less. A rapid startup time is achieved by either igniting or allowing a small mixture of air and fuel to react over and warm up the catalyst of an autothermal reformer (ATR). The ATR then produces combustible gases to be subsequently oxidized on and simultaneously warm up water-gas shift zone catalysts. After normal operating temperature has been achieved, the proportion of air included with the fuel is greatly diminished.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Rajesh K. Ahluwalia, Shabbir Ahmed, Sheldon H. D. Lee
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Patent number: 7316806Abstract: A reforming catalyst for partial oxidation to reform hydrocarbon compound including a sulfur-containing compound includes platinum and rhodium. Even in reforming a hydrocarbon compound including a sulfur-containing compound such as, for example, a town gas, the catalyst effectively prevents poisoning and elongates catalyst life.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Okuno, Akiyoshi Nakajima
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Publication number: 20070292342Abstract: A method of producing a synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing gaseous feed in which the hydrocarbon containing gaseous feed is reacted in an autothermal reactor having separated reaction stages in which partial oxidation and steam methane reforming reactions occur. Each of the reaction stages has alternating separation zones and catalytic reaction zones. Oxygen separated by oxygen ion transport in the separation zone supports the partial oxidation reactions occurring in the catalytic reaction zones. Reactants are separately metered to the reaction stages to control temperatures within the reaction stages so that use of expensive high temperature materials is confined to one or more final reaction stages. Reaction stages can incorporate perforated planar members with regions of oxygen ion transport membrane material in registry with such perforated regions form the separation zones and the catalytic reaction zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: John William Hemmings, Leo Bonnell, Earl T. Robinson
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Patent number: 7306781Abstract: A hydrogen generator is formed of a strip of corrugated material that has been folded back and forth upon itself to define a monolith having multiple fluid flow regions. At least one of these regions is used for combustion, and at least one of these regions is used for steam reforming. Water is introduced into another fluid flow region, so as to receive heat from products of combustion, and to be converted into steam. The steam is directed into one or more regions used for steam reforming, so as to produce hydrogen for use in a fuel cell. In its more general form, the invention includes a compact heat exchanger, formed of a strip of corrugated material that has been folded back and forth upon itself, the heat exchanger being capable of transferring heat among three or more fluid streams.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Catacel Corp.Inventors: William B. Retallick, William A. Whittenberger
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Publication number: 20070269690Abstract: A hydrogen generator contains a membrane separator and a pressure swing sorption system to produce two hydrogen product streams of differing purity. One of those streams is used as a feed to a fuel cell to generate electricity and the other is used as the primary hydrogen product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventors: Kishore J. Doshi, John R. Harness
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Patent number: 7297169Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Hoanh Nang Pham, David Hon Sing Ying, Shoou-I Wang, Scott David Madara, Joel Charles MacMurray
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Patent number: 7294420Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen for a fuel cell from a hydrocarbon fuel composition, by providing a hydrocarbon fuel composition, which is obtained by contacting a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising an alkylating agent with an acidic catalyst, under conditions effective to alkylate at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed; converting the hydrocarbon fuel composition into hydrogen; and optionally, introducing the hydrogen produced into a fuel cell. In a preferred embodiment the liquid hydrocarbon feed further comprises sulphur-containing impurities, at least a portion of which are alkylated during the alkylation step.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: BP P.L.C.Inventor: Michael Graham Hodges
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Patent number: 7282189Abstract: Methods for reducing and eliminating carbon dioxide from the emissions of solid fuel fired power plants, particularly coal fired power plants, and to sequester the carbon dioxide, typically by using existing equipment. In some embodiments, the methods involve pyrolyzing the solid fuel to remove volatile matter and using the volatile matter to produce hydrogen. Additionally, the methods may involve burning the solid fuel or pyrolized solid fuel at very fuel rich stoichiometric conditions. Sequestration may include the production of a carbon dioxide-containing solution and the pumping of the solution into the ground, particularly in areas high in limestone.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Inventor: Bert Zauderer
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Patent number: 7268097Abstract: A desulfurizing agent comprising a silica-alumina carrier having an Si/Al mole ratio of 10 or less and nickel carried thereon; a desulfurizing agent for hydrocarbons derived from petroleum which comprises a carrier and a metal component carried thereon and has a specific surface area of pores having a pore diameter of 3 nm or less of 100 m2/g or more; an Ni-Cu based desulfurizing agent comprising a carrier and, carried thereon, (A) nickel, (B) copper, and (C) an alkali metal or another metal; a desulfurizing agent for hydrocarbons derived from petroleum which comprises a carrier and a metal component carried thereon and has a hydrogen adsorption capacity of 0.4 mmol/g or more; and methods for producing these nickel-based and nickel-copper-based desulfurizing agents. The above desulfurizing agents are capable of adsorbing and removing with good efficiency the sulfur contained in hydrocarbons derived from petroleum to a content of 0.2 wt. ppm or less and have a long service life.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Katsuno, Satoshi Matsuda, Kazuhito Saito, Masahiro Yoshinaka
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Patent number: 7267811Abstract: Materials that are useful for absorption enhanced reforming (AER) of a fuel, including absorbent materials and catalyst materials, and methods for using such materials for the conversion of carbon-based fuels to a H2-rich product gas. The materials can be fabricated by spray processing. The use of the materials in AER can produce a H2 product gas having a high H2 content and a low level of carbon oxides. The method for converting carbon-based fuels to a H2-rich product gas includes forming an intermediate gas product from the carbon-based fuel using a catalyst and contacting the intermediate gas product with an absorbent to absorb CO2. The absorbent can be regenerated while retaining a high absorption capacity.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Cabot CorporationInventors: Mark J. Hampden-Smith, Paolina Atanassova, Jian-Ping Shen, Paul Napolitano, James Brewster
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Patent number: 7267699Abstract: A fuel processing system including a filter for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel and its operation is disclosed. The system includes a first chamber for receiving a hydrocarbon fuel and combining it with air or water; a reformer in fluid connection with and down stream of the first chamber, which receives the hydrocarbon fuel combined with either air or water to reform the fuel to a reformate stream, which contains a hydrogen rich atmosphere; a second chamber in fluid connection with the reformer which is capable of receiving the reformate stream from the reformer; a water inlet connected to the second chamber capable of introducing water to the reformate stream; and a filter in fluid connection with and down stream of the second chamber, which is capable of preventing a substantial portion of any solid particles contained in the reformate stream from passing therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Motohisa Kamijo
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Patent number: 7264788Abstract: Materials that are useful for absorption enhanced reforming (AER) of a fuel, including absorbent materials and catalyst materials and methods for using the materials. The materials can be fabricated by spray processing. The use of the materials in AER can produce a H2 product gas having a high H2 content and a low level of carbon oxides.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Cabot CorporationInventors: Mark J. Hampden-Smith, Paolina Atanassova, Jian-Ping Shen, James Brewster, Paul Napolitano
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Patent number: 7261750Abstract: A method for the autothermal reforming of a hydrocarbon, in particular of diesel, includes introducing a combustible mixture of the hydrocarbon to be reformed and an oxygen-containing medium into a first reaction zone of a reformer, A gas-phase reaction is ignited. After an operating temperature required for the autothermal reforming process is reached, water or a water-containing medium is introduced into the first reaction zone, and the water content is increased until the conditions for the reforming process of the hydrocarbon prevail. The reforming process then takes place predominantly in a second reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Rainer Autenrieth, Andreas Docter, Steffen Oliver Wieland
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Patent number: 7255840Abstract: An autothermal reactor and method for producing synthesis gas in which a heated oxygen containing stream is expanded into a mixing chamber to entrain a hydrocarbon containing stream to form a reactant stream without reaction of the oxygen and hydrocarbon contents of the streams. The reactant stream is reacted in a series of sequential catalytic reaction zones to react the hydrocarbon and oxygen contained in the reactant stream to form the synthesis gas. The sequential catalytic reaction zones are configured such that an initial partial oxidation reaction occurs that is followed by endothermic reforming reactions having ever decreasing temperatures. The sequential catalytic reaction zones in which the endothermic reforming reactions occur contain a precious metal catalyst supported on ceramic supports that have successively greater surface areas to compensate for the temperature decrease while remaining stable and without a transform in state.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Vasilis Papavassiliou, Minish Mahendra Shah, Thomas John Bergman, Jr.
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Patent number: 7250151Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRS) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: VelocysInventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Paul W. Neagle, Dongming Qiu, Matthew B. Schmidt, Steven T. Perry, David J. Hesse, Robert J. Luzenski, G. Bradley Chadwell, Ying Peng, James A. Mathias, Richard Q. Long, Wm. Allen Rogers, Ravi Arora, Wayne W. Simmons, Barry L. Yang, Yong Wang, Thomas Forte, Robert Jetter
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Patent number: 7250150Abstract: A chemical reaction is performed with separation of the product(s) and reactant(s) by pressure swing adsorption (PSA), using an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers cooperating with first and second valve assemblies in a PSA module. The PSA cycle is characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between higher and lower pressure of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the intermediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, entering from compressor stage(s) or exiting into exhauster or expander stages, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing the adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor. The reaction may be performed within a portion of the rotor containing a catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: QuestAir Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Denis J. Connor
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Patent number: 7241323Abstract: Solid waste resource recovery in space is effected by pyrolysis processing, to produce light gases as the main products (CH4, H2, CO2, CO, H2O, NH3) and a reactive carbon-rich char as the main byproduct. Significant amounts of liquid products are formed under less severe pyrolysis conditions, and are cracked almost completely to gases as the temperature is raised. A primary pyrolysis model for the composite mixture is based on an existing model for whole biomass materials, and an artificial neural network models the changes in gas composition with the severity of pyrolysis conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Serio, Erik Kroo, Marek A. Wojtowicz, Eric M. Suuberg
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Catalytic partial oxidation process using a catalyst system having an upstream and a downstream part
Patent number: 7232532Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, wherein a feed mixture having the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and a molecular-oxygen containing gas is contacted with a catalyst system having an upstream part and a downstream part, the downstream part being in the form of a porous catalyst bed, wherein the catalyst system is retained in a reactor, the reactor having an upstream part that contains the upstream part of the catalyst system and a downstream part that contains the downstream part of the catalyst system, wherein the upstream part of the catalyst system only partly fills the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow path of the upstream part of the reactor and the downstream part of the catalyst system completely fills the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow path of the downstream part of the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Gert Jan Kramer, Willem Pieter Leenhouts, Ronald Jan Schoonebeek, Johannes Wijnbelt -
Patent number: 7226574Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting a hydrocarbon reactant to a product comprising CO and H2. The process comprises: (A) flowing a reactant composition comprising the hydrocarbon reactant and oxygen or a source of oxygen through a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst under reaction conditions to form the product, the microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel with the catalyst positioned within the process microchannel, the hydrocarbon reactant comprising methane, the contact time for the reactant composition within the process microchannel being up to about 500 milliseconds, the temperature of the reactant composition and product within the process microchannel being up to about 1150° C., the conversion of the hydrocarbon reactant to carbon oxide being at least about 50%. The product formed in step (A) may be converted to a product comprising CO2 and H2O in a microchannel reactor.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Velocys, Inc.Inventors: Richard Q. Long, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Eric Daymo, Barry L. Yang, Yong Wang, Francis P. Daly
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Patent number: 7220505Abstract: Low-energy, low-capital hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger 14 is placed in parallel with an autothermal reformer (ATR) 10 to which are supplied a preheated steam-hydrocarbon mixture. An air-steam mixture is supplied to the burner/mixer of the ATR 10 to obtain a syngas effluent at 650°-1050° C. The effluent from the ATR is used to heat the reforming exchanger, and combined reformer effluent is shift converted and separated into a mixed gas stream and a hydrogen-rich product stream. High capital cost equipment such as steam-methane reformer and air separation plant are not required.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLCInventors: Avinash Malhotra, James Hanlan Gosnell
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Patent number: 7217303Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in the process of producing hydrogen from hydrocarbon-containing streams. A cyclic reforming process, referred to as pressure swing reforming, provides an efficient means for producing a hydrogen containing synthesis gas for fuel cell applications. Pressure swing reforming may be integrated with shift reactions, preferential oxidation, and membrane separation, achieving thermal and material efficiencies relative to conventional hydrogen production. In one embodiment, at least some synthesis gas which is first produced in the pressure swing reforming process is combusted with air to provide the heat for the regeneration step of the pressure swing reforming process.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Paul J. Berlowitz, Randall D. Partridge
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Patent number: 7201889Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toyo Engineering CorporationInventors: Keiji Murata, Kazuaki Nakagawa, Yoshikazu Hagiwara, Kazuya Yamada, Mitsutoshi Hamamura, Yasuhito Sakakibara, Hidetsugu Fujii
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Patent number: 7188469Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of reducing NOx contaminant in an exhaust stream includes: introducing diesel fuel and an oxidant to a reformer to produce a reformer effluent comprising hydrogen and nitrogen, introducing the reformer effluent to a non-thermal plasma reactor to produce ammonia, and introducing an exhaust stream and the ammonia to a SCR catalyst, whereby the NOx contaminant reacts with the ammonia.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph V. Bonadies, Joachim Kupe
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Patent number: 7175827Abstract: A process for producing a fuel gas for a fuel cell is provided. The process includes a step of converting hydrocarbons and/or oxygen-containing hydrocarbons to a reformed gas which is composed principally of hydrogen by an autothermal reforming reaction using an autothermal reforming catalyst. The catalyst includes rhodium supported on a support containing 5 to 40 percent by mass of a cerium oxide or rare earth element oxide which is composed principally of a cerium oxide, 60 to 95 percent by mass of an aluminum oxide, and 0 to 10 percent by mass in terms of metal of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal, the atomic ratio of cerium and rhodium (Ce/Rh) being 1 to 250.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil CorporationInventors: Iwao Anzai, Takaya Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7166268Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst suitably employed in a variety of hydrocarbon reforming processes and a hydrocarbon reforming process including employing the catalyst in production of hydrogen or synthesis gas. The hydrocarbon reforming catalyst of the present invention contains an alumina carrier containing cerium oxide and, carried on the carrier, component (a), component (b), and optional component (c), the component (a) being at least one platinum group element selected from among ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, palladium, and iridium; the component (b) being cobalt and/or nickel, the component (c) being an alkaline earth metal. When steam reforming, autothermal reforming, partial-oxidation reforming, or carbon dioxide reforming of hydrocarbons is performed through employment of the catalyst, hydrogen or synthesis gas can be produced.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuya Fukunaga
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Patent number: 7166267Abstract: Materials with a perovskite structure in form of solid solutions with general formula: AzZr1?xBxO3 Where A is Ba or a rare earth element, B is Pt, Ir, Rh or Ce z is 1 when A is Ba and is ? when A is a rare earth, x is in the range 0.01 and 0.8.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Universita Degli Studi di L'AquilaInventor: Pierluigi Villa
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Patent number: 7157167Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are disclosed for sustainable CO2-free production of hydrogen and carbon by thermocatalytic decomposition (dissociation, pyrolysis, cracking) of hydrocarbon fuels over carbon-based catalysts in the absence of air and/or water. The apparatus and thermocatalytic process improve the activity and stability of carbon catalysts during the thermocatalytic process and produce both high purity hydrogen (at least, 99.0 volume %) and carbon, from any hydrocarbon fuel, including sulfurous fuels. In a preferred embodiment, production of hydrogen and carbon is achieved by both internal and external activation of carbon catalysts. Internal activation of carbon catalyst is accomplished by recycling of hydrogen-depleted gas containing unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons back to the reactor. External activation of the catalyst can be achieved via surface gasification with hot combustion gases during catalyst heating.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventor: Nazim Z. Muradov
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Patent number: 7153334Abstract: Carbonaceous material is removed from a catalyst within an autothermal reformer by introducing an isolated oxidant stream into the autothermal reformer prior to introduction of hydrocarbon fuel into the reformer. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into the autothermal reformer following removal of the carbonaceous material. A concurrent supply of the hydrocarbon stream and the oxidant stream to the autothermal reformer is maintained such that an exothermic reaction driven by the oxidant stream provides heat to an endothermic reaction driven by water vapor in the hydrocarbon stream. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Suzanne Rose Ellis, Jessica Grace Reinkingh, Jullian Elaine Bailie, David Wails, Michael Ian Petch
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Patent number: 7151067Abstract: A porous catalyst layer containing mixed conducting oxide having substantially a perovskite structure and containing a first element selected from Co and Fe, and a second element selected from In, Sn and Y arranged in the B site in the perovskite structure is contiguous to a second surface (1a) of a selective oxygen-permeable dense continuous layer (1) containing mixed conducting oxide. A porous intermediate catalyst layer (3) containing mixed conducting oxide and at least one of Co, Fe, Mn and Pd is contiguous to a first layer (1b) of the dense continuous layer (1). A porous reactive catalyst layer (4) provided with a metal catalyst selected from at least one of Ni, Co, Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd, Ir and Re and a support is continguous to the porous intermediate catalyst layer (3) in a manner to sandwich between the dense continuous layer (1) and the porous reactive catalyst layer (4).Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Teikoku Oil Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Sakon, Wataru Ito, Hitoshi Dohnomae, Toru Nagai, Hideki Kurimura, Shouichi Kaganoi, Youhei Suzuki, Takashi Ito
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Patent number: 7150866Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst and a process for the autothermal, catalytic steam reforming of hydrocarbons using the catalyst. The catalyst has a multilayer structure and comprises a lower catalyst layer located directly on a support body and an upper catalyst layer located on the lower catalyst layer, with the lower catalyst layer preferentially catalysing the partial oxidation and the upper catalyst layer preferentially catalysing steam reforming. In a further embodiment, a three-layer catalyst having a further catalyst layer for the carbon monoxide conversion (water gas shift reaction) is described. Each catalyst layer comprises at least one platinum group metal on an oxidic support material. The steam reforming process is carried out in an adiabatic process by passing a feed mixture of hydrocarbons, oxygen and water or water vapour which has been heated to a preheating temperature over the multilayer catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2003Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Stefan Wieland, Frank Baumann
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Patent number: 7147836Abstract: A device having a plurality of chambers for carrying out a solid-catalyzed reaction includes a common evaporation unit for evaporating liquid starting materials. The evaporation unit is in thermally conductive contact with a plurality of chambers. An area of the evaporation unit in which the evaporation substantially takes place is at least partially surrounded by the plurality of chambers.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: NuCellSys GmbHInventors: Andreas Ebert, Oskar Lamla, Martin Schuessler, Tomas Stefanovski
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Patent number: 7148178Abstract: A catalyst bed combination comprising a bed of a particulate copper-containing catalyst and, upstream of the catalyst bed, a guard bed in the form of shaped units formed from lead oxide particles and a particulate support material. The guard bed extends the life of the copper catalyst by absorbing halide contaminants in the process stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLCInventor: Gordon James Kelly
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Patent number: 7144566Abstract: A process for producing a fuel gas for a fuel cell is provided. The process includes a step of converting hydrocarbons and/or oxygen-containing hydrocarbons to a reformed gas which is composed principally of hydrogen by an autothermal reforming reaction using an autothermal reforming catalyst. The catalyst includes ruthenium supported on a support containing 5 to 40 percent by mass of a cerium oxide or rare earth element oxide which is composed principally of a cerium oxide, 60 to 95 percent by mass of an aluminum oxide, and 0 to 10 percent by mass in terms of metal of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal, the atomic ratio of cerium and rhodium (Ce/Rh) being 1 to 250.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil CorporationInventors: Iwao Anzai, Takaya Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7122170Abstract: A process and system for producing synthesis gas by a SPOC® enhanced catalytic partial oxidation process is disclosed. Light hydrocarbons in a H2S-containing feed gas are partially oxidized to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a catalyst that simultaneously oxidizes the H2S to produce elemental sulfur. A reaction in which H2S is partially oxidized to elemental sulfur and water takes place instead of a secondary reaction in which a portion of the light hydrocarbon feed is combusted to form CO2 and water. An increase in yield and selectivity for CO and H2 products results, and readily recoverable elemental sulfur is also produced.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Conocophillips CompanyInventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller
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Patent number: 7119044Abstract: An integrated multi-functional catalyst system includes a diesel particulate filter having an inlet side for receiving flow and an opposite outlet side, a substrate in the diesel particulate filter having an interior wall surface and an exterior wall surface, a first washcoat layer applied to the interior wall surface and adjacent the inlet side, and a second washcoat layer applied to the exterior wall surface and adjacent the outlet side, wherein flow distribution through the substrate is dispersed for minimizing back pressure. The diesel particulate filter may be one of a plurality of honeycomb cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ming Wei, Thomas R. Pauly, Jiyang Yan, Danan Dou
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Patent number: 7115236Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
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Patent number: RE39675Abstract: This reforming apparatus is provided with a raw material reforming unit including a heat source for generating heat when a fuel gas is burnt and adapted to reaction heat directly from the heat source, steam-reform a material, and produce a reformed gas containing hydrogen as a main component, a shift reaction unit for reducing by a water shift reaction the amount of CO contained in the reformed gas produced in the raw material reforming unit, a CO oxidation unit adapted to further reduce the amount of CO contained in the reformed gas after the process in the shift reaction unit, by oxidizing the same. These units are united as independent units. These raw material reforming unit, shift reaction unit and CO oxidation unit are arranged so that the shift reaction unit and the CO oxidation unit are indirectly heated by the heat transmitted from the heat source of the raw material reforming unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Hitoshi Kudo, Noriyuki Yamaga, Mikio Shinagawa