Abstract: Disclosed is a new process and apparatus for steam reforming of any vaporizable hydrocarbon to produce H2 and CO2, with minimal CO, and no CO in the H2 stream, using a membrane steam reforming (MSR) reactor and flameless distributed combustion (FDC) which provides great improvements in heat exchange efficiency and load following capabilities to drive the steam reforming reaction. The invention also pertains to a zero emission hybrid power system wherein the produced hydrogen is used to power a high-pressure molten carbonate fuel cell. In addition, the design of the FDC-MSR powered fuel cell makes it possible to capture good concentrations of CO2 for sequestration or use in other processes.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention generate a synthesis gas with a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide of approximately 2:1 required for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Additional hydrogen produced in the steam reforming of methane beyond the requirements for the Fischer-Tropsch reaction is separated from the product gases of the reformer by the use of a hydrogen permeable membrane. Air is passed over the outside of the tube. As the hydrogen contacts the air, it is combusted with oxygen in the air to form water and release the heat necessary to drive the steam reforming reaction.

Abstract: Syngas production process and reforming exchanger. The process involves passing a first portion of hydrocarbon feed mixed with steam and oxidant through an autothermal catalytic steam reforming zone to form a first reformed gas of reduced hydrocarbon content, passing a second portion of the hydrocarbon feed mixed with steam through an endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone to form a second reformed gas of reduced hydrocarbon content, and mixing the first and second reformed gases and passing the resulting gas mixture through a heat exchange zone for cooling the gas mixture and thereby supplying heat to the endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone. The endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone and the heat exchange zone are respectively disposed tube side and shell side within a shell-and-tube reforming exchanger.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for carrying out the water gas shift reaction comprising employing a methane production suppressing water gas shift reaction catalyst, wherein the methane production suppressing water gas shift reaction catalyst comprises a methane production suppressing effective amount of a basic metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus (vessel) for providing a heat transfer rate from a reaction chamber through a wall to a heat transfer chamber substantially matching a local heat transfer rate of a catalytic thermal chemical reaction. The key to the invention is a thermal distance defined on a cross sectional plane through the vessel inclusive of a heat transfer chamber, reaction chamber and a wall between the chambers. The cross sectional plane is perpendicular to a bulk flow direction of the reactant stream, and the thermal distance is a distance between a coolest position and a hottest position on the cross sectional plane. The thermal distance is of a length wherein the heat transfer rate from the reaction chamber to the heat transfer chamber substantially matches the local heat transfer rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gas separation membranes including a metal-based layer having sub-micron scale thicknesses. The metal-based layer can be a palladium alloy supported by ceramic layers such as a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer. By using MEMS, a series of perforations (holes) can be patterned to allow chemical components to access both sides of the metal-based layer. Heaters and temperature sensing devices can also be patterned on the membrane. The present invention also relates to a portable power generation system at a chemical microreactor comprising the gas separation membrane. The invention is also directed to a method for fabricating a gas separation membrane. Due to the ability to make chemical microreactors of very small sizes, a series of reactors can be used in combination on a silicon surface to produce an integrated gas membrane device.

Abstract: An auto-oxidation and internal heating type reforming method and apparatus for hydrogen production are disclosed for use in a process in which a gaseous mixture of a hydrocarbon or an aliphatic alcohol with water vapor is fed into contact with a mass of a reforming catalyst to bring about a reforming reaction of the gaseous mixture to produce hydrogen, wherein a small amount of an oxidizing catalyst is admixed with the reforming catalyst in that mass; and a small amount of oxygen is admixed with the gaseous mixture, whereby a portion of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol is exothermally oxidized to generate a quantity of heat required to reform the gaseous mixture of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol with water vapor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, hydrogen/carbon monoxide synthesis gas (also called syngas) is produced by injection of a second reactant stream into a hydrocarbon reformer at a location between the entry and discharge ends of the reformer. The second reactant stream can contain: carbon dioxide; a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon; a mixture of hydrocarbon and steam, a mixture of carbon dioxide and steam; or a mixture of carbon dioxide with hydrocarbon and steam. All or part of the mixtures containing hydrocarbon and steam can be prereformed hydrocarbon in steam.

Abstract: A process for converting carbon monoxide and water in a reformate stream into carbon dioxide and hydrogen comprising: generating a reformate by reacting a hydrocarbon via partial oxidation, steam reforming, or both, including autothermal reforming; and promoting a water gas shift in the reformate in the presence of a platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium and mixtures thereof, supported on zirconium oxide. The platinum group metal advantageously may be supported directly on a monolithic substrate composed of zirconium oxide.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating a fuel cell system. The system comprises a reactor having one or more catalytic beds and is fed a hydrocarbon fuel along with air and steam. Where more than one catalytic bed is present, such catalytic beds are preferably arranged sequentially such that the outlet from one bed enters the inlet of the next bed. The catalytic beds are the regions where reactions among the hydrocarbon, air, and steam are catalyzed within the reactor. The method comprises supplying a stream of a fuel and air mixture to the reactor which is lean. The mixture is lean in that it has an excess amount of oxygen relative to the stoichiometric amount required for reaction with the fuel. The reactions occurring with the lean mixture heat the reactor. When there is more than one catalytic bed, the hot gases generated from one catalytic bed can be used to heat other catalytic beds.

Abstract: A process is provided for simultaneously producing a syngas product having a H2/CO ratio of less than 2.5 and a hydrogen gas product. The process includes increasing an amount of carbon dioxide being fed to a secondary reformer with carbon dioxide extracted from: (a) an effluent from a primary reformer and (b) an effluent from the secondary reformer. An apparatus for performing the process is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen from hydrocarbons or alcohol, particularly methanol, by feeding a reaction mixture comprising a hydrocarbon or alcohol and water onto a catalyst. The catalyst is formed by compressing at least one catalyst powder into a compressed layer to form a shaped body. The reaction mixture flows under pressure through the catalyst layer while the pressure drops. Furthermore, the apparatus is suitable for a use in a hydrogen shift phases for reducing carbon monoxide, in carbon monoxide oxidizers and catalytic burners. A process for producing the catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A steam/hydrocarbon reformer employing a convection-heated pre-reformer is disclosed. The pre-reformer comprises catalyst-filled tubes disposed in the transition section between the radiant and convection sections. The pre-reformer tubes are transverse to the flow of flue gas from the radiant section. The pre-reformer achieves 10-20% of the total reforming load, and can be installed as a module or modules between the radiant and convection sections without increasing the size of the reformer.

Abstract: A process for catalytically generating a hydrogen-rich gas from a hydrocarbon feed. A stream comprising the hydrocarbon feed, water and air is preheated to a temperature sufficiently high to initiate catalytic partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon feed. The preheated stream is then introduced into an autothermal reactor containing a layered catalyst member at a temperature sufficient to initiate and sustain both catalytic partial oxidation and catalytic steam reforming. At least part of the hydrocarbon feed is catalytically partially oxidized to produce a hydrogen-rich gas comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides and hydrocarbons remaining in the feed are steam reformed to produce further quantities of the hydrogen-rich gas. The layered catalyst member comprises a monolith substrate containing at least one layer of a steam reforming catalyst in contact with at least one layer of a catalytic partial oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of hydrogen from methane and/or natural gas and/or methane-rich hydrocarbons and steam at low temperature, using a solid catalyst comprising group VIII metal oxide(s) in two parallel reactors, comprising reducing the solid catalyst in both the reactors by contacting the catalyst with a gaseous feed comprising a reducing agent, contacting a first gaseous feed comprising methane and/or natural gas and/or methane rich hydrocarbons, simultaneously contacting a second gaseous feed comprising steam called Feed-B with the solid catalyst reduced in step-i in a second reactor. while regularly switching over the two feeds, Feed-A arid Feed-B, between the two parallel reactors to obtain a mixed product stream comprising hydrogen from the two reactors.

Abstract: An auto-oxidation and internal heating type reforming method and apparatus for hydrogen production are disclosed for use in a process in which a gaseous mixture of a hydrocarbon or an aliphatic alcohol with water vapor is fed into contact with a mass of a reforming catalyst to bring about a reforming reaction of the gaseous mixture to produce hydrogen, wherein a small amount of an oxidizing catalyst is admixed with the reforming catalyst in that mass; and a small amount of oxygen is admixed with the gaseous mixture, whereby a portion of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol is exothermally oxidized to generate a quantity of heat required to reform the gaseous mixture of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol with water vapor.

Abstract: A feedstock mixing apparatus for fuel processing systems, and fuel processing and fuel cell systems incorporating the same. A fuel processing system according to the present invention includes one or more fuel processors adapted to produce a product hydrogen stream from a feed stream containing water and a carbon-containing feedstock. The fuel processing system further includes a feedstock delivery system adapted to mix the components of the feed stream at a determined mix ratio and to deliver this feed stream to the fuel processor(s). The fuel processing system may also include one or more fuel cell stacks that are adapted to produce an electric current from the product hydrogen stream produced by the fuel processing system. When the fuel processing system includes at least one fuel cell stack, it may be referred to as a fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present invention is a chemical reactor and method for catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. The chemical reactor has reactor microchannels for flow of at least one reactant and at least one product, and a catalyst material wherein the at least one reactant contacts the catalyst material and reacts to form the at least one product. The improvement, according to the present invention is: the catalyst material is on a porous material having a porosity that resists bulk flow therethrough and permits molecular diffusion therein. The porous material further has a length, a width and a thickness, the porous material defining at least a portion of one wall of a bulk flow path through which the at least one reactant passes.

Abstract: A method of generating a H2 rich gas from a fuel includes supplying a mixture of molecular oxygen, fuel, and water to a fuel processor, and converting the mixture of molecular oxygen, fuel, and water in the fuel processor to the H2 rich gas. The fuel has the formula CnHmOp where n has a value ranging from 1 to 20 and is the average number of carbon atoms per mole of the fuel; m has a value ranging from 2 to 42 and is the average number of hydrogen atoms per mole of the fuel; and p has a value ranging from 0 to 12 and is the average number of oxygen atoms per mole of the fuel. The molar ratio of molecular oxygen supplied to the fuel processor per mole of fuel is a value ranging from about 0.5x0 to about 1.5x0, and the value of x0 is equal to 0.312n−0.5p+0.5(&Dgr;Hf, fuel/&Dgr;Hf, water) where n and p have the values described above, &Dgr;Hf, fuel is the heat of formation of the fuel, and &Dgr;Hf, water is the heat of formation of water.

Abstract: A method for periodically reactivating copper-containing catalyst material includes applying an oxygen-containing gas stream to the catalyst material for reactivation purposes. When the reactor is in the warm operating state, the application of the oxygen-containing gas stream to the catalyst material is interrupted when the monitored temperature of the catalyst material exceeds a maximum level which is a predeterminable tolerance level above a predetermined operating temperature. In cold-start phases, initially a mixture of a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas stream is fed to the catalyst material, until the monitored temperature of the catalyst material exceeds a predeterminable switch-over level, after which only the oxygen-containing gas stream is supplied. To keep the reactor warm after operation has ended, the reactivation can be activated each time the temperature falls below a further threshold level.

Abstract: A molybdenum carbide compound is formed by reacting a molybdate with a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. By heating the molybdate powder from a temperature below 300° C. to maximum temperature 850° C., a controlled reaction can be conducted wherein molybdenum carbide is formed. A high surface area, nanograin, metastable molybdenum carbide can be formed when the reaction temperature is below 750° C. The metastable molybdenum carbide is particularly suitable for use as a catalyst for the methane dry reforming reaction and the water gas shift reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out two chemical reactions in a reactor system comprising at least two mutually separate reactor beds, of which the surfaces exposed to the reactants are catalytically active for the chemical reactions concerned, and at least one partition; wherein at least one first reactor bed is present, which is bounded by at least one partition, which bed is based on a continuous porous structure extending throughout the reactor, and which bed is fixedly connected to said partition; wherein at least one second bed is preset, which is based on a continuous porous structure extending throughout the reactor, and which bed is fixedly connected to said partition, and said second bed, with respect to the first bed, is disposed on the other side of said partition, so that a heat-exchanging contact between said beds is present and the reaction heat of a first chemical reaction carried out in said first reactor bed is supplied or absorbed by carrying out a second chemical reaction in

Abstract: Method of operating an autothermal reformer (ATR) to produce a high temperature reformate including preheating steam and air inputs to the ATR with heat from the reformate. The steam is heated by the reformate, and the air is then heated by the steam. There is no direct heat exchange between the reformate and the air. In the heat exchangers effecting the heat transfer, the steam is kept at a higher pressure that both the reformate and the air.

Abstract: A method of using a diesel reforming strategy is disclosed. The method comprises supplying diesel fuel to a fractional distillation device. The diesel fuel is fractionally distilled to produce a light fuel stream and a heavy fuel stream. The light fuel stream is reformed in a reformer to produce a reformate. A method of making an apparatus for a diesel fuel reforming strategy and a method for using a fuel cell system is also disclosed. A fuel cell system for diesel fuel reforming is also disclosed.

Abstract: Partial oxidation of a biomass is employed to provide producer gas followed by complete combustion of resulting solid remains from partial oxidation to provide a flue gas to furnish heat for the method. Producer gas is subjected to a steam reforming catalyst provided by heat from the flue gas for reforming of hydrocarbons contained in the producer gas to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Following reforming, the gas, containing water vapor, is subjected to a steam shifting catalyst provided by heat from the flue gas to replace endothermic heat required to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Remaining residue from combustion of the biomass is subjected to heat exchange to heat air for combustion. Shifted gas, containing substantial sensible heat, is employed to transfer heat to air and furnish heated air for partial oxidation.

Abstract: A method of producing a crude syngas product stream or a syngas product stream by further processing of the crude syngas product stream. Both the crude and syngas product stream comprise carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The crude syngas product stream additionally comprises carbon dioxide and moisture. In accordance with the method, methane in a feed stream is converted into the hydrogen and carbon monoxide in at least two stages, thereby to form a crude syngas stream. An initial stage has an oxygen transport membrane reactor having a catalyst to promote carbon dioxide or steam methane reforming. Since, the conversion is shared between two stages, the oxygen transport membrane reactor can be operated at a sufficiently low temperature to avoid ceramic membrane deterioration due to creep effect. The subsequent stage can be operated at a higher temperature with more favorable equilibrium conditions to complete the conversion of the methane.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a water source wherein the water is fed in a controlled manner to a gas stream for cooling the gas stream to a desired temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the water is atomized prior to contacting the gas stream. In a further embodiment, a packing of high surface area material is fed with the cooling water as the gas stream passes through the packing material. By utilizing water already present in the fuel cell power plant, a highly efficient method and system for controlling the temperature of gas streams and O/C ratio in the fuel cell power plant is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact steam reformer which integrally comprises a housing; a reforming reactor having an upper mixing compartment for mixing natural gas and steam and a lower compartment for accommodating a catalyst bed; a natural gas feeding coiled pipe through which natural gas is introduced while being heated; a steam generating coiled pipe in which pure water is converted to steam by the exhaust; a metal fiber burner for heating the reforming reactor; a high-temperature converter for primarily removing carbon monoxide from a synthetic gas; a low-temperature converter for secondarily reducing the carbon monoxide level of the synthetic gas; and a heat exchanger, provided between the high-temperature converter and the low-temperature converter, for cooling the gas effluent from the high-temperature converter. The steam reformer enjoys the advantage of being easy to install in situ and being fabricated at low cost.

Abstract: An illustrative method for converting hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen rich gas, includes the steps of: reacting the hydrocarbon fuel with steam in the presence of reforming catalyst and a carbon dioxide fixing material to produce a first hydrogen gas; and removing carbon monoxide from the first hydrogen gas to produce the hydrogen rich gas, wherein the removing step utilizes a process selected from methanation or selective oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor, which includes:

Abstract: The invention provides processes for producing hydrogen that include contacting an input gas stream comprising steam and carbon monoxide with water-gas shift catalysts. The water-gas shift catalysts are copper-based catalysts containing low concentrations of platinum group metals. In some embodiments, the processes of the invention are conducted using water-gas shift catalysts having a an oxide support on which is dispersed copper or an oxide thereof, a platinum group metal and a reducible metal oxide. In other embodiments, the processes of the invention are conducted with a water-gas shift catalysts having a cerium oxide support on which is dispersed copper or an oxide thereof and a platinum group metal.

Abstract: A CO-shift device includes a main body having therein a space in which a CO-shift catalyst is accommodated, the space being divided into an inner space and an outer space surrounding the inner space; an inlet portion formed at one end portion of the inner space, the inlet portion being supplied with a reformed gas such that the reformed gas flows through the inner space. An outlet portion is formed at one end portion of the outer space and a redirecting portion is provided between the other end portion of the inner space and the other end portion of the redirecting portion, thereby reversing the reformed gas flown into the other end of the inner space in order that the resulting reformed gas passes through the outer space to be exhausted from the outlet portion, the reformed gas being shifted to reduce CO by the CO-shift catalyst during its movement through the inner and outer spaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon fuel employs at least two substantially separate reaction chambers in fluid connection within an annular cylindrical reactor tube. The annular design of the reactor tube permits increased mass flow rate for greater efficiency and lower cost processing of hydrocarbon fuel for electrochemical fuel cells and other industrial applications.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic generation of hydrogen by the self-sustaining combination of partial oxidation and steam reforming of a hydrocarbon comprises containing a mixture of the hydrocarbon, an oxygen-containing gas and steam with a catalyst comprising rhodium dispersed on a refractory oxide support material which is a mixture of ceria and zirconia. The hydrocarbons are straight chain or branch chain hydrocarbons having 1 to 15 carbon atoms and include methane, propane, butane, hexane, heptane, normal-octane, iso-octane, naphthas, liquefied petroleum gas and reformulated gasoline petrol and diesel fuels. The hydrogen generation process can be started by feeding the hydrocarbon and air to initiate partial oxidation, before steam is added. The hydrogen generation process can be started by feeding the hydrocarbon and air to initiate partial oxidation, before steam is added.

Abstract: A fuel processing assembly adapted to produce hydrogen gas from a carbon-containing feedstock. The fuel processing assembly includes a fuel processor, such as a steam reformer. The fuel processing assembly further includes a feed assembly adapted to deliver a carbon-containing feedstock, such as a hydrocarbon, to the fuel processor. In some embodiments, the fuel processing system includes a fuel cell stack that includes at least one fuel cell adapted to produce electrical power from hydrogen gas produced by the fuel processor.

Abstract: Improved fuel processing systems convert a hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate stream comprising hydrogen. Improved steam reformers and fuel processing systems employ steam reforming catalyst compositions that are oxygen-tolerant and/or sulfur-tolerant. Improved fuel processing systems employ shift reactors comprise shift catalyst compositions that are oxygen-tolerant and self-reducing. Improved fuel processing systems also comprise a preoxidizer or first-stage selective oxidizer, shift reactor, and selective oxidizer connected in series. An improved integrated reactor comprises a metal oxide bed and shift catalyst bed, and fuel processing systems comprising the improved integrated reactor.

Abstract: A method to produce hydrogen, substantially devoid of carbon monoxide, by way of reforming is disclosed. Vaporized solvent, containing carbon monoxide and water vapor, is conveyed to a reformer. Steam shifting of carbon monoxide, formed in addition to hydrogen formed by reforming, is employed to shift some of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce a gaseous hydrogen mixture. Remaining carbon monoxide within the gaseous hydrogen is scrubbed with a solvent capable of dissolving carbon monoxide to dissolve carbon monoxide contained within the gaseous hydrogen mixture. Following separation of the solvent containing dissolved carbon monoxide from a gas containing hydrogen substantially devoid of carbon monoxide is produced. The solvent containing dissolved carbon monoxide is subjected to vaporization to form vaporized solvent containing carbon monoxide for utilization in the reformer.

Abstract: The converting of an existing methanol plant to make hydrogen and optionally methanol is disclosed. The converted plant utilizes the steam reformer (10) to which (a) a hydrocarbon, e.g., natural gas, or a lower alkanol, e.g., methanol, and (b) steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer (10). All or part of the syngas is processed in a CO converter (21) and/or a separation unit (22 & 28) to separate out carbon dioxide (24), carbon monoxide (30) and hydrogen (32). In the first mode, the CO converter (21) is isolated and the separated carbon dioxide (24) is fed either to the existing methanol synthesis loop (12) for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer (10) to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas (18). In the second mode, a lower alkanol is fed to the reformer (10), and the methanol synthesis loop (12) is shutdown and isolated from the rest of the plant.

Abstract: A method to separate carbon monoxide from a gas obtained from a fuel reformer containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is outlined. Reformer gas containing carbon monoxide is subjected to a steam shift reaction to produce additional hydrogen and reduce carbon monoxide to form carbon dioxide. Mingling the resulting gas in an alcohol capable of dissolving carbon monoxide forms a gas containing hydrogen substantially devoid of carbon monoxide. The alcohol containing dissolved carbon monoxide is then recycled to the reformer to repeat the method. The gas, substantially free of carbon monoxide containing carbon dioxide, is subjected to a solution capable of substantially removing carbon monoxide from the gas by scrubbing. The solution containing dissolved carbon dioxide is heated to produce gaseous carbon dioxide and a solution, for recycling toward additional scrubbing. The resulting gas is subjected to a medium for scrubbing the gas as a means for purification.

Abstract: A contacting step, in which a mixture gas, including a fuel and steam, is contacted with a reactor bed, including a reforming catalyst and a carbon dioxide adsorbent, thereby converting the mixture gas into hydrogen and adsorbing co-generating carbon dioxide onto the carbon dioxide adsorbent, and a heating step, in which the reactor bed is heated, thereby desorbing the adsorbed carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide adsorbent and regenerating a carbon dioxide adsorption capacity thereof, are carried out alternately. The resulting CO is converted into H2 and CO2, and the converted CO2 is absorbed by the carbon dioxide adsorbent and is adsorbed outside the equilibrium system. Accordingly, methane is inhibited from co-generating. Hence, the reformed fuel gas is mostly composed of H2 and is free from methane, and the reaction temperature limitation, i.e., from 700 to 900° C., in the steam reforming reaction is not applicable any more.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed for the steam reforming of alcohols, which contains a palladium/zinc alloy and zinc oxide as catalytically active components. The alloy catalyst is a catalytically active component deposited on at least one support material which can be aluminum oxide, aluminum silicate, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, zeoliths and mixtures or mixed oxides thereof.

Abstract: An exothermic reaction and an endothermic reaction are thermally combined in a reactor having at least one oxygen selective ion transport membrane that provides the exothermic reaction with oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas such as air. The thermal requirements of the endothermic reaction are satisfied by the exothermic reaction. Dependent on the reactor design employed, the exothermic and endothermic reactions may be gaseously combined.

Abstract: A steam-hydrocarbon reformer in which a portion of a reaction tube containing a center return tube extends within a furnace enclosure. The reaction tube receives fluid at a lower end portion disposed externally of the furnace enclosure and discharges fluid through a close coupled process fluid cooler also disposed externally of the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention provides a process, catalyst and apparatus for carrying out the water-gas shift reaction comprising employing a low-pyrophoricity water-gas shift reaction catalyst; wherein the low-pyrophoricity water-gas shift reaction catalyst comprises a solid high heat capacity particulate support impregnated with: (i) a reducible metal oxide and (ii) a catalytic agent.

Abstract: A method for operating a plant for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons, in particular methanol, in which, in a mixture-preparation stage, a steam/hydrocarbon mixture is prepared from water and at least one hydrocarbon. The prepared steam/hydrocarbon mixture is introduced into a reforming reactor. The steam/hydrocarbon mixing ratio is set or adapted in order to compensate for an aging-related long-term shift in a temperature profile within the reforming reactor.

Abstract: A method for operating a system for the steam reforming of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon derivative starting substance includes, during the cold-starting of the system, at least part of a reforming reactor is used as a multi-function reactor unit. A fuel and an oxygen-containing gas is delivered to the reforming reactor as a catalytic burner unit in a first operating phase. In a subsequent second operating phase, the reforming reactor is a partial oxidation unit for the starting substance. Water may be added shortly before the second operating phase commences. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the fuel flow rate may be increased with a rising temperature in the first operating phase or a substoichiometric oxygen flow rate may be set as early as in the first operating phase.

Abstract: A device for utilizing heat generated by a catalytic reaction has a first area for heating (vaporizing) at least one starting material which is to be reacted, particularly a reaction mixture. A second area is provided for at least partially carrying out the catalytic reaction or for further reaction of reaction products formed during the catalytic reaction and/or for at least partial cooling of reaction products formed during the catalytic reaction. The first area and the second area are in thermally conductive communication.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrogen products from a hydrogen/carbon oxide synthesis gas wherein removal of carbon oxides is accomplished in a pressure swing adsorption unit, by operating the pressure swing adsorption unit until carbon oxides break through into the effluent from the pressure swing adsorption unit, followed by passing the effluent from the pressure swing adsorption unit through a methanator to remove breakthrough carbon oxides from the pressure swing adsorption effluent.

Abstract: Process for preparation of a hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide rich gas by catalytic autothermal reforming of a hydrocarbon feedstock containing higher hydrocarbons in an autothermal reformer comprising the further steps of (a) passing the hydrocarbon feedstock through a reactor containing steam reforming catalyst to remove or reduce the contents of higher hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (b) passing the effluent from the first reactor to an autothermal reformer; and (c) withdrawing from the autothermal reformer a product gas rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of chemically converting a first material to a second material. A first plasma and a second plasma are formed, and the first plasma is in fluid communication with the second plasma. The second plasma comprises activated hydrogen and oxygen, and is formed from a water vapor. A first material is flowed into the first plasma to at least partially ionize at least a portion of the first material. The at least partially ionized first material is flowed into the second plasma to react at least some components of the first material with at least one of the activated hydrogen and activated oxygen. Such converts at least some of the first material to a second material. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of forming a synthetic gas by flowing a hydrocarbon-containing material into a hybrid-plasma system.