Including Decomposing Water Patents (Class 423/652)
  • Patent number: 11583824
    Abstract: A system and method for producing hydrogen from hydrocarbon and steam, including a membrane reformer with multiple membrane reactors each having a tubular membrane. The bore of the tubular membrane is the permeate side for the hydrogen. The region external to the tubular membrane is the retentate side for carbon dioxide. A sweep gas flows through the bore to displace hydrogen in a direction countercurrent to flow of hydrocarbon and steam in the region external to the tubular membrane. The method includes discharging hydrogen as permeate with the sweep gas from the bore, and discharging carbon dioxide in the region external to the tubular membrane as retentate from the membrane reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Aadesh Harale, Aqil Jamal, Stephen N. Paglieri, Henk van Veen, Francesco Sebastiani, Gerard de Jong, Jaap Vente
  • Patent number: 11508488
    Abstract: A system for transferring heat from a nuclear reactor comprises a nuclear reactor comprising a nuclear fuel and a reactor vessel surrounding the nuclear reactor and a heat transfer system surrounding the nuclear reactor. The heat transfer system comprises an inner wall surrounding the nuclear reactor vessel, first fins coupled to an outer surface of inner wall, an outer wall between the inner wall and a surrounding environment, and second fins coupled to an inner surface of the outer wall and extending in a volume between the outer surface of the inner wall and the inner surface of the outer wall, the outer surface of the inner wall and the first fins configured to transfer heat from the nuclear reactor core to the second fins and the inner surface of the outer wall by thermal radiation. The heat transfer system may be directly coupled to the nuclear reactor vessel, or may be coupled to an external reflector surrounding the nuclear reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Abderrafi Mohammed El-Amine Ougouag, Ramazan Sonat Sen, George W. Griffith
  • Patent number: 11491456
    Abstract: A hydrogen reforming system includes: a reformer that generates first mixed gas through a reforming reaction between fuel gas and water; a transformer that is fed with the first mixed gas and generates second mixed gas from which carbon monoxide is removed by a water gas shift reaction; a pressure swing adsorption that purifies and separate hydrogen from the second mixed gas generated in the transformer; a heat exchanger that is provided between the reformer and the transformer and between the transformer and the PSA unit to control temperatures of the first mixed gas and the second mixed gas through heat exchange with water; a water feeder that communicates with the heat exchanger and supplies water to the heat exchanger; and a control value that is provided on a line through which water is discharged from the water feeder and adjusts a flow rate of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Seok Ko
  • Patent number: 11453827
    Abstract: A syngas generator is disclosed as an exothermic gas generator that can accommodate high combustion temperatures of a natural gas/oxygen flame. The generator includes four sections: a heavily insulated combustion chamber, a catalyst chamber, a spray chamber, and a heat exchanger. These four sections may be arranged in series and tightly bolted together to form a gas-tight system. Natural gas, oxygen and steam are supplied to a burner at the inlet end of the combustion chamber. This mixture is ignited and the resulting hot process gas is then fed into a catalyst bed where it reacts with the steam and is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas). The syngas is fed to a Fischer-Tropsch unit to create liquid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Greenway Innovative Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Wright
  • Patent number: 11444303
    Abstract: A steam methane reformer-integrated fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte matrix separating the anode and the cathode. The system further includes a steam methane reformer configured to react methane with steam to produce a first product stream including hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech
  • Patent number: 11417903
    Abstract: An anode layer for a solid oxide electrochemical device comprises a metal support structure having an electrolyte-facing surface and a gas distribution-facing surface, the metal support structure defining pores having a pore diameter, anode catalyst supported within the metal support structure, channels formed within the gas distribution-facing surface of the metal support structure, and a first reformer catalyst deposited onto surfaces of the metal support structure defining the channels, the first reformer catalyst having a diameter greater than the pore diameter. The anode layer can further comprise a second reformer catalyst, with the first reformer catalyst reforming a first fuel and the second reformer catalyst reforming a second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammed Hussain Abdul Jabbar
  • Patent number: 11408672
    Abstract: Natural gas liquefaction process in combination with a synthesis gas production process, where the steam derived from the synthesis gas production process is used as a heating source for the implementation of the pre-treatment step for eliminating the impurities liable to freeze during the natural gas liquefaction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre Costa De Beauregard, Pascal Marty, Thomas Morel
  • Patent number: 11125188
    Abstract: A system and method for co-production of hydrogen and electrical power includes operating an engine having an electrical power generator connected thereto, and a hydrogen gas production plant, from a single source of gaseous fuel such that hydrogen extracted from a heated reformate provided by a partial oxidation catalyst is removed and collected for storage or sale while a tail gas is recirculated to an engine inlet to reduce NOx emissions during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Ginter, Mark W. Scaife, Ronald G. Silver, Jaswinder Singh
  • Patent number: 11066298
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods useful for providing one or more chemical compounds in a substantially pure form. In particular, the systems and methods can be configured for separation of carbon dioxide from a process stream, such as a process stream in a hydrogen production system. As such, the present disclosure can provide systems and method for production of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: 8 Rivers Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Rafati, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 11034630
    Abstract: Organic sulfur compounds contained in refinery off gas streams having either high ort low concentrations of olefins are converted to hydrogen sulfides which can be then be removed using conventional amine treating systems. The process uses a catalytic reactor with or without a hydrotreater depending on the olefin concentration of the off gas stream. The catalytic reactor operates in a hydrogenation mode or an oxidation mode to convert a majority of organic sulfur compounds into hydrogen sulfides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Minish Mahendra Shah, Raymond Francis Drnevich, Vasilis Papavassiliou
  • Patent number: 10836635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a hydrogen rich gas from an off gas. Further, the invention relates to a system for operating said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Arjan Allert Jonckers, Julie Hélène Emond Duncan, Sanjay Madhoprasad Rungta
  • Patent number: 10710005
    Abstract: An adsorbent material is provided. The adsorbent material comprises a porous, non-particulate substrate comprising pores having a size in the range of about 1 ?m to about 1 mm, and a conformal coating film deposited on the porous, non-particulate substrate, wherein the conformal coating film comprises topographical features having a feature size in the range of about 1 nm to about 1 ?m. A method of preparing the adsorbent material and an adsorbent device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Yi Ren, Sing Yang Chiam, Lai Mun Wong
  • Patent number: 10450193
    Abstract: Reforming alcohol is disclosed. Alcohol is introduced into a conduit of an alcohol reformer so that the alcohol flows through a catalyst stage within the conduit. The catalyst stage includes an alcohol reforming catalyst, and a heat transfer member comprising thermally conductive material. The heat transfer member is in thermal contact with the conduit and the alcohol reforming catalyst. Simultaneously, exhaust gas is introduced from an internal combustion engine into an exhaust channel. The exhaust gas in the exhaust channel contacts fins extending outward from the conduit so that heat from the exhaust gas is transferred through the fins, the conduit, and the heat transfer member to the alcohol reforming catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Erik D. Sall, Roger C. Smith, Brian Odell Ralph
  • Patent number: 10411266
    Abstract: Provided are: a dry reforming catalyst, in which a noble metal (M) is doped in a nickel yttria stabilized zirconia complex (Ni/YSZ) and an alloy (M-Ni alloy) of the noble metal (M) and nickel is formed at Ni sites on a surface of the nickel yttria stabilized zircona (YSZ); a method for producing the dry reforming catalyst using the noble metal/glucose; and a method for performing dry reforming using the catalyst. The present invention can exhibit a significantly higher dry reforming activity as compared with Ni/YSZ catalysts. Furthermore, the present invention can have an improved long-term performance by suppressing or preventing the deterioration. Furthermore, the preparing method is useful in performing the alloying of noble metal with Ni at Ni sites on the Ni/YSZ surface and can simplify the preparing process, and thus is suitable in mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Suk Woo Nam, Chang Won Yoon, Yeong Cheon Kim, Yong Min Kim, Jonghee Han, Sung Pil Yoon, Hyung Chul Ham, Jihoon Jeong, Seok-Keun Koh
  • Patent number: 10106405
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for heating an ATR or POX comprising the steps of heating a process stream by at least one heating means, admitting the heated process stream to an ATR or POX reactor through a main burner, and heating the ATR or POX reactor to or above autoignition temperature of the process stream via the heated process stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Per Juul Dahl, Thomas Sandahl Christensen
  • Patent number: 10071909
    Abstract: An autothermal reforming catalytic structure for generating hydrogen gas from liquid hydrocarbons, steam and an oxygen source. The autothermal reforming catalytic structure includes a support structure and nanosized mixed metal oxide particles dispersed homogenously throughout the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, The University of Queensland
    Inventors: Jorge N. Beltramini, Moses O. Adebajo, Joao Carlos Diniz Da Costa, Gao Qing Lu, Thang V. Pham, Sai P. Katikaneni
  • Patent number: 10035704
    Abstract: An autothermal reforming catalytic structure for generating hydrogen gas from liquid hydrocarbons, steam and an oxygen source. The autothermal reforming catalytic structure includes a support structure and nanosized mixed metal oxide particles dispersed homogenously throughout the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, The University of Queensland
    Inventors: Jorge N. Beltramini, Moses O. Adebajo, Joao Carlos Diniz Da Costa, Gao Qing Lu, Thang V. Pham, Sai P. Katikaneni
  • Patent number: 9962682
    Abstract: A process for the providing a regenerant gas stream for a regenerable adsorbent used to remove water and hydrogen sulfide from a reactor effluent in a catalytic dehydrogenation process is described. The reactor effluent is compressed in a compressor to provide a compressed effluent. The compressed effluent may be treated to remove chlorides, and then passed to a dryer zone having a regenerable adsorbent. A regenerant gas stream is used to desorb the water and hydrogen sulfide and the spent regenerant stream may be passed to a cleaning zone having a sorbent configured to remove hydrogen sulfide from the spent regenerant stream. The cleaned regenerant gas stream may be recycled to the dryer zone to desorb and/or regenerate the regenerable adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
  • Patent number: 9890098
    Abstract: Process for the production of a synthesis gas for use in the production of chemical compounds from a hydrocarbon feed stock containing higher hydrocarbons comprising the steps of: (a) in a pre-reforming stage pre-reforming the feed stock with steam to a pre-reformed gas containing methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; and (b) cooling the pre-reformed gas to below its dewpoint and removing condensed water; and (c) reducing the amount of carbon dioxide the in the pre-reformed gas from step (b) to obtain a module of (H2?CO2)/(CO+CO2) of between 1.0 and 3.8 in the pre-reformed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Christian Wix, Ib Dybkjaer
  • Patent number: 9876244
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method for operating a fuel cell system. Another embodiment is a unique system for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel. Another embodiment is a unique fuel cell system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fuel cell systems and steam reforming systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: LG Fuel Cell Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Budge
  • Patent number: 9834441
    Abstract: A reactor containing a heat exchanger is disclosed, which can be operated with co-current or counter-current flow. Also disclosed is a system that includes a reactor having a reformer and a vaporizer, a fuel supply, and a water supply. The reactor includes a source of combustion gas, a reformer operative to receive reformate, and a vaporizer operative to receive water. The reformer and vaporizer each include a stack assembly formed by a combination of separator shims and channel shims. The separator shims and channel shims are stacked in a regular pattern to form two sets of channels within the stack assembly. One set of channels will have vertical passageways at either end and a horizontal flowpath between them, while the other set of channels has only a horizontal flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Paul E. George, II, Vincent Contini, Matthew E. Goshe
  • Patent number: 9776153
    Abstract: The invention relates to a commercially viable modular ceramic oxygen transport membrane system for utilizing heat generated in reactively-driven oxygen transport membrane tubes to generate steam, heat process fluid and/or provide energy to carry out endothermic chemical reactions. The system provides for improved thermal coupling of oxygen transport membrane tubes to steam generation tubes or process heater tubes or reactor tubes for efficient and effective radiant heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sean M. Kelly, Gervase Maxwell Christie, Charles Robinson, Jamie R. Wilson, Javier E. Gonzalez, Uttam R. Doraswami
  • Patent number: 9737869
    Abstract: A reactor includes a reaction-side flow passage through which a reaction fluid being a fluid constituting a reaction object flows; a temperature controller (heat-medium side flow passage) configured to heat or cool the reaction fluid from outside the reaction-side flow passage; and a catalyst configured to promote a reaction of the reaction fluid, the catalyst provided in the reaction-side flow passage so that a contact area with the reaction fluid is larger on a downstream side than on an upstream side in the reaction-side flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kamata, Koki Hamada, Takuya Yoshinoya
  • Patent number: 9617152
    Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situation as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Meggitt (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9614241
    Abstract: A hydrogen purifier (100) includes: a shift conversion catalyst (5a) which reduces, through a shift reaction, carbon monoxide contained in a hydrogen-containing gas; and a methanation catalyst (6a) which reduces, through a methanation reaction, carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas that has passed through the shift conversion catalyst (5a). The shift conversion catalyst (5a) and the methanation catalyst (6a) are heat exchangeable with each other via a first partition wall (8), and a flow direction of the hydrogen-containing gas that passes through the shift conversion catalyst (5a) is opposite to a flow direction of the hydrogen-containing gas that passes through the methanation catalyst (6a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nakajima, Hidenobu Wakita, Seiji Fujihara, Yukimune Kani
  • Patent number: 9579620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decreasing the spread of the tube temperatures between tubes in a process involving the heating of at least one fluid in a furnace that comprises at least one radiation chamber with radiant walls, at least one essentially vertical row of tubes inside of which circulate the at least one fluid to be heated, and being equipped with burners that heat the tubes, where the method comprises the steps of: determining, for each of the tubes the skin temperature of the tube, selecting the 50% tubes having the lowest temperatures determined, the process being stopped, realizing on each tube selected an operation that decreases the flow of the fluid distributed to said tube while keeping the total flow rate of the fluid unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean Gallarda, Frederic Camy-Perret, Julien Cances, Antoine Hsu, Jacques Segret, Daniel Gary, Patrice Levee, Antonio Coscia, Dirck Simons
  • Patent number: 9556391
    Abstract: A process of decomposing a biomass derivative to produce a gaseous product and then introducing the gaseous product into a steam reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Uchenna Prince Paul, Joe D. Allison, Kristi A. Fjare, Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9540241
    Abstract: A catalyst which comprises nickel and/or cobalt supported on a support that includes a mixed oxide containing metals, such as aluminum, zirconium, lanthanum, magnesium, cerium, calcium, and yttrium. Such catalysts are useful for converting carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, and for converting methane to hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Enerkem, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Kumar, David Lynch
  • Patent number: 9533274
    Abstract: An apparatus for cracking gases with a supply line (1) for a carbon-containing gas, by means of which the gas is capable of being supplied to a first heat exchanger (5, 9) with a fill of a thermal storage mass, a first combustion chamber (6, 8) which is arranged downstream in the direction of flow of the gas and which, in particular, has a supply device capable of being regulated for another oxygen-containing gas, by means of which a partial oxidation of the carbon-containing gas is carried out by the hypostoichiometric supply of oxygen, and a reactor (7) which is arranged downstream of the first combustion chamber (6, 8) in the direction of flow of the gas which has a fill of a catalytically acting material for the catalytic splitting of impurities of the carbon-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Dragan Stevanovic, Thomas Oehmichen
  • Patent number: 9455463
    Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 9399209
    Abstract: The catalyst may be used to obtain hydrogen or synthesis gas for chemical industry in processes of partial oxidation, steam reforming, and autothermal reforming of a hydrocarbon feed. The catalyst of oxidative conversion of gaseous hydrocarbons to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen contains platinum-group metals and an oxide composition and characterized in that the platinum-group metals include Pt, Pd, and Rh and the oxide composition is obtained from a mixture of a sol of Al, Si, and Zr hydroxides with particles of Ni, Mg and/or Ce oxides with a size of 5-30 nm, that were obtained by spray-pyrolysis of a solution of Ni, Mg and/or Ce salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOST'YU “GAZOHIM TECHNO”
    Inventors: Sergey Erikovich Dolinskiy, Nikolay Yakovlevich Usachev, Andrey Mikhaylovich Pleshakov
  • Patent number: 9346039
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparation of oxide-polymetallic catalysts containing platinum-group metals for steam-oxidative conversion to obtain carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The method comprises treatment of NiO and CO3O4 by solutions of Al, Ce, Zr nitrates and palladium (Pd(NH3)4Cl2), platinum (H2[PtCl6]·6H2O) and rhodium (H3[RhCl6]) compounds followed by drying, carbonization of the obtained material in a methane flow at 550° C., preparation of slurry from this material, pseudo-boehmite and tetraisopropoxysilane, filling foam nichrome pores with obtained material suspension, elimination of water at 80° C., calcinating during 3 hours in an atmosphere of argon at 1300° C., elimination of carbon by water vapors at 600° C. during 3 hours. The technical result is development of a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst. 3 material claims, 7 tables, 4 examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOST'YU, “GAZOKHIM TEKHNO”
    Inventors: Sergey Erikovich Dolinskiy, Nikolay Yakovlevich Usachev, Andrey Mikhaylovich Pleshakov
  • Patent number: 9327259
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons are presented. In one example, a method comprises burning fuel gas to form a hot flue gas and heat a reforming-zone feedstock that contains (C5-C11) hydrocarbons to form a heated reforming-zone feed stream. The heated reforming-zone feed stream is partially reformed to form a partially reformed effluent. The partially reformed effluent is advanced through a process heat recovery coil arrangement that is recovering heat from the hot flue gas to form a heated partially reformed effluent. The heated partially reformed effluent is contacted with reforming catalyst at reforming conditions effective to form a reforming reaction-zone effluent. The reforming reaction-zone effluent comprises H2, C5+ hydrocarbons including aromatics, and C4? hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William M. Hartman, Xin X. Zhu, Lisa M. Lane, William Yanez
  • Patent number: 9321643
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming a hydrocarbon load in a reforming furnace provided with a combustion chamber and a convection chamber; the combustion chamber includes vertical tubes filled with catalyst wherein a mixture of hydrocarbons and steam circulates from top to bottom recovering raw synthesis gas at the bottom of the tubes, and burners disposed in rows heat the tubes; the convection chamber discharges fumes containing the gases produced by the combustion. The process also comprises steps of using the heat contained in the fumes for preheating and/or heating various fluids related or unrelated to the process. In the event of the reduction of the mass flow of fumes, the quantity of energy to be transferred into the convection area is maintained by supplying a supplementary gaseous flow to the combustion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Catherine Denis, Pascal Marty, Michel-Jean Masson, Bernd Polster, Laurent Remy
  • Patent number: 9266729
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel processor that can reduce reforming catalyst deterioration caused by thermal deformation of a structure. The fuel processor includes a reformer 8 that is fed with fuel gas 70 to refine hydrogen-rich reformed gas 73 by a reaction of a reforming catalyst 7. A plurality of partition plates 20 for dividing the reforming catalyst 7 are provided in a space filled with the reforming catalyst 7 between an internal cylinder 18 and an external cylinder 19. All the partition plates 20 are cantilevered from the external cylinder, preventing the partition plates 20 from coming into contact with each other in temperature variations. This can reduce deterioration such as crushing or powdering that is caused by a compressive stress of the reforming catalyst 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Mita, Masaki Nobuoka, Masatoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9147894
    Abstract: A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system 10 in a manner that increases the overall efficiency and decreases the overall weight of system 10. The system and method include a secondary blower 30 for boosting air stream pressure level sufficient for operation of a reformer 12 that is designed to minimize pressure drop; an integrated heat exchanger 18 for recovering heat from exhaust 36 and comprising multiple flow fields 18A, 18B, 18C for ensuring inlet temperature requirements of a solid oxide fuel cell 14 are met; and a thermal enclosure 46 for separating hot zone 48 components from cool zone 50 components for increasing thermal efficiency of the system and better thermal management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, Sean C. Emerson, Justin R. Hawkes, Ellen Y. Sun, Jean Yamanis, Tobias H. Sienel, Balbir Singh Bal, Stuart Anthony Astley, Thomas D. Radcliffe, James T. Beals, Walter H. Borst, Jr., May L. Corn, Louis Chiappetta, Jr., John T. Costello, Robert R. Hebert, Thomas Henry Vanderspurt
  • Publication number: 20150118146
    Abstract: This is a system for generating hydrogen on-board the vehicle from compressed natural gas (CNG) in select ratios to create hydrogen-enriched CNG (HCNG) fuel for use in internal combustion engines. The on-board generation of hydrogen is comprised of a reforming system of CNG fuel with direct contact with exhaust gases. The reforming system controls for production of HCNG fuel mixtures is based on specific engine operating conditions. The vehicle's engine controls and operating parameters are modified for combustion of selective ratios of HCNG fuel mixtures throughout engine operating cycle. The reforming system controls and engine controls modifications are also used to minimize combustion emissions and optimize engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Nick K. EDALATI, Daniel K. COLLINSON
  • Patent number: 9017642
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Peter John Herbert Carnell, Martin Fowles, Raymond Anthony Hadden, Suzanne Rose Ellis
  • Publication number: 20150110708
    Abstract: Process for producing a hydrogen-containing product and one or more liquid water products using catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reforming. In the process, a portion of the make-up water is heated by the reformate and another portion of the make-up water is heated by the combustion product gas prior to introducing the make-up water to a deaerator. Water in the combustion product gas is condensed to form a liquid water product. The process may be integrated with a thermal water desalination process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICAL INC.
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Derek Miller, Geoffrey Colling Achilles, Xianming Jimmy Li
  • Patent number: 9011814
    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 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, John Michael Repasky, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng
  • Patent number: 8979953
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen including a housing, a reservoir, and a piston is provided. The housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall. The top wall has vents and a protrudent column extending to the interior of the housing. At least one vent communicates with the top wall and the protrudent column and rest of the vents surround the protrudent column. The reservoir is disposed in the housing for storing a solid state reactant and divides the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is located between the top wall and the reservoir. The second chamber is located between the bottom wall and the reservoir for storing a liquid reactant. The piston is disposed on the bottom wall. The piston is used to push the liquid reactant towards the reservoir to react with the solid state reactant to generate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Lin, Po-Kuei Chou, Tsai-Hsin Cheng, Hsuan-Yi Lu
  • Patent number: 8974699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclic process for producing synthesis gas comprising: a first step of oxidation of an oxidizable oxygen-carrying solid; a second purge step; a third combustion step with production of CO2; a fourth step of production of synthesis gas; a fifth purge step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Total Raffinage Chimie, IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Sebastien Rifflart, Gregory Patience, Francois Xavier Chiron
  • Patent number: 8961829
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of making a syngas mixture containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, comprising a step of contacting a gaseous feed mixture containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen with a catalyst, which catalyst substantially consists of Mn oxide and an oxide of at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cr, Ni, La, Ce, W, and Pt. This process enables hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide with high selectivity, and good catalyst stability over time and under variations in processing conditions. The process can be applied separately, but can also be integrated with other processes, both up-stream and/or down-stream; like methane reforming or other synthesis processes for making products like alkanes, aldehydes, or alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Agaddin M. Kh. Mamedov, Abdulaziz A. M. Al-Jodai, Ijaz C. Ahmed, Mubarak Bashir
  • Patent number: 8951312
    Abstract: A compact, chemical-mechanical apparatus, having no electrical components, for storing and generating hydrogen safely, on-demand, at the time and point of use in small or large quantities using the environmentally clean chemical reaction between sodium metal and water to generate hydrogen (H2) gas and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) byproduct is presented, for powering electricity generating fuel cells for large scale commercial and private electric motor vehicle transport. The apparatus of the present invention supports hydrogen gas generation by the controlled addition of liquid water to solid sodium metal to produce hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide using only mechanical components without electrical components that require external power and can generate sparks or short circuits, producing catastrophic failure in hydrogen systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Alvin Gabriel Stern
  • Patent number: 8951683
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator of the present invention includes: a raw material supplying device (4) configured to supply a raw material; a water supplying device (3) configured to supply water; an evaporator (23) configured to evaporate the water supplied from the water supplying device (3) to generate steam; a reformer (20) having a reforming catalyst which generates a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using the raw material and the steam; a valve (12) disposed on a gas passage to cause the reformer (20) to be communicated with an atmosphere and block the reformer (20) from the atmosphere, the gas passage being located downstream of the reformer (20); and a controller (11) configured to stop supplying the water from the water supplying device (3), then continue to supply the raw material from the raw material supplying device (4) with the valve (12) open, and stop supplying the raw material from the raw material supplying device (4) and close the valve (12) before an inside of the reformer (20) is purg
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukimune Kani, Kunihiro Ukai, Yuji Mukai
  • Publication number: 20150037246
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of hydrogen in a reactor system comprising a steam reforming reaction zone comprising a reforming catalyst and a membrane separation zone comprising a hydrogen-selective membrane. The process involves a reaction system of so-called open architecture, wherein the reforming zone and the membrane separation zone operate independently of each other. The invention provides the heat for the reforming reaction through heat exchange from liquid molten salts, preferably heated by solar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Barbara Morico, Annarita Salladini, Gaetano Iaquaniello
  • Patent number: 8940061
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen for fuel cells is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a button, a first separating plate, a solid state reactant, and a separating membrane. The housing has an opening and a reservoir. The button connected to the housing covers the opening. The first separating plate disposed in the housing divides the reservoir into first and second sub-rooms. The opening communicates with the first sub-room and the first sub-room is suitable for storing a liquid reactant. The first separating plate has a through hole opposite to the button. The solid state reactant is disposed in the second sub-room. The separating membrane disposed on the through hole separates the first sub-room from the second sub-room. When the button is pushed, the button damages the separating membrane. Therefore, the liquid reactant flows to the second sub-room and reacts with the solid state reactant to generate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Lin, Po-Kuei Chou, Men-Chi Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8926942
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating hydrogen and separating carbon dioxide from a feed stream including hydro-carbons and water are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes the following: providing a catalytic chamber including a monolithic structure having surfaces coated with carbon dioxide adsorbing materials and one or more washcoated layers of combined steam reforming, water gas shift, and combustion catalysts; directing the feed stream into said catalytic chamber; controlling the feed stream so that it has a temperature range that allows the reactive generation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas but does not cause substantial development of coke between hydrocarbons in the feed stream and said surfaces of said monolithic structure; and adsorbing said carbon dioxide generated by heating the feed stream, wherein said carbon dioxide is adsorbed onto carbon dioxide adsorbing materials on said surfaces of said monolithic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Marco J. Castaldi, Robert J. Farrauto, Tuncel M. Yegulalp
  • Patent number: 8927162
    Abstract: The present invention comprises fuel cells 84 disposed within a fuel cell module 2, a reformer 20, a reformer temperature sensor 148 for detecting a reforming state temperature, and a control section 110 for controlling the operation of the fuel cell module. The control section prohibits the normal startup POX and executes a restart control different from the normal startup POX when the reforming state temperature is at least in a high temperature region within the POX temperature band in a state in which the operation of the solid oxide fuel cell module is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousuke Akagi, Naoki Watanabe, Shuichiro Saigan, Nobuo Isaka
  • Patent number: 8915979
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The first fuel component is introduced into the second fuel component through a conduit which punctures a septum separating the reaction chamber and the first fuel component reservoir, and the fuel conduit introduces the first fuel component to different portions of the second fuel component to produce hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Kurt Rath