Including Decomposing Water Patents (Class 423/652)
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8906564
    Abstract: The possibility of carbon deposition from a raw material gas is made lower than before in a pressure compensating operation carried out after stopping the stop process of a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori Yukimasa, Junji Morita, Akinari Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8889098
    Abstract: A system and method of producing hydrogen from a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and steam. Reaction cells are provided that each contains a first tube of hydrogen permeable material and a second tube of hydrogen impermeable material that are concentrically positioned. This creates a gap space between the first tube and the second tube. The gap space is heated by burning a combustion gas outside of the two concentric tubes. A water gas shift reaction occurs in the gap space. Hydrogen is created that permeates through the first tube and becomes separated from the remainder of the reaction gases. The hydrogen gas is collected for use. As such, the system and method acts both as a gas shift reactor and as a hydrogen separator even though it is a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Peter R. Bossard, Jacob Mettes
  • Patent number: 8864857
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas from a replaceable aluminum pack comprising an aluminum and hydride mixture encased in a breathable membrane that is raised and lowered into a fluid contained within an enclosed tank wherein contact with the fluid releases hydrogen gas from the aluminum. A pressure transducer and microprocessor chip are provided for monitoring and regulating the rate of hydrogen production by engaging and disengaging a reversible motor that raises and lowers an inner tray on which the aluminum pack resides accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Harlo Mayne
  • Patent number: 8864855
    Abstract: Portable hydrogen generators are disclosed. In the various embodiments, the generator may include a chamber configured to endothermically decompose a material positioned within the chamber to generate hydrogen gas. A heater may be in thermal communication with the material to stimulate a release of the hydrogen gas. An electrical power source may be controllably coupled to the heater, so that electrical power delivered to the heater may be controlled in response to at least one detected property of the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8852822
    Abstract: When terminating power generation by a fuel cell 3 in a fuel cell system 1, an amount of a raw fuel material introduced to a reforming catalyst 2a of a reformer 2 is reduced. Here, before the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a is lowered to the un-reformed gas generation temperature, an amount of water supplied to the reforming catalyst 2a is controlled to increase the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a. Thus, upon termination of power generation in the fuel cell 3, no un-reformed gas is generated and the reformed gas is supplied to the fuel cell 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Tomotaka Ishida
  • Patent number: 8845997
    Abstract: A process and an installation for producing a synthesis gas by catalytic steam reforming of a charge of hydrocarbons is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Maguelonne Hammel, Guillaume Mougin
  • Patent number: 8834585
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating device is adapted for a fuel cell. The hydrogen generating device includes a casing, a button, a solid reactant, a bag-shaped body, and at least one flexible element. The casing has a containing space and an opening. The button is integrally formed and connected to the casing to seal the opening. The solid reactant is disposed in the casing. The bag-shaped body is disposed in the casing and contains a liquid reactant. The flexible element is connected to the casing and is located in the containing space. The flexible element includes a bending end, wherein the flexible element is aligned to the button and is located between the button and the bag-shaped body. When the button is pressed, the button pushes the flexible element so the bending end pierces the bag-shaped body, and the liquid reactant flows out and reacts with the solid reactant to generate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Lin, Hsuan-Yi Lu
  • Patent number: 8821832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel. The fuel processor comprises a reformer and a heater. The reformer includes a catalyst that facilitates the production of hydrogen from the fuel; the heater provides heat to the reformer. Multipass reformer and heater chambers are described that reduce fuel processor size. Single layer fuel processors include reformer and heater chambers in a compact form factor that is well suited for portable applications. Some fuel processors described herein place an electrically resistive material in contact with a thermally conductive material to heat fuel entering the fuel processor. This is particularly useful during start-up of the fuel processor. Fuel processors described may also include features that facilitate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: UltraCell, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Brantley, Ian W. Kaye, Arpad Somogyvari, Gerry Tucker, Fan Liang Chan
  • Patent number: 8807988
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an oxygen carrier comprised of a plurality of metal oxide particles in contact with a plurality of MgO promoter particles. The MgO promoter particles increase the reaction rate and oxygen utilization of the metal oxide when contacting with a gaseous hydrocarbon at a temperature greater than about 725° C. The promoted oxide solid is generally comprised of less than about 25 wt. % MgO, and may be prepared by physical mixing, incipient wetness impregnation, or other methods known in the art. The oxygen carrier exhibits a crystalline structure of the metal oxide and a crystalline structure of MgO under XRD crystallography, and retains these crystalline structures over subsequent redox cycles. In an embodiment, the metal oxide is Fe2O3, and the gaseous hydrocarbon is comprised of methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Department Of Energy
    Inventors: Ranjani V. Siriwardane, Duane D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8809603
    Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon fuel from a hydrocarbon-containing gas is disclosed and described. A hydrocarbon-containing gas is produced (10) containing from about 25% to about 50% carbon dioxide and can be reformed (12) with a steam gas to form a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The reforming can be a composite dry-wet reforming or a tri-reforming step. The mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide can be at least partially converted (14) to a methanol product. The methanol product can be converted to the hydrocarbon fuel (18), optionally via UME synthesis (16). The method allows for effective fuel production with low catalyst fouling rates and for operation in an unmanned, self-contained unit at the source of the hydrocarbon-producing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Oberon Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Corradini, Jarod McCormick
  • Patent number: 8790617
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feed and steam, comprising: a step for producing a synthesis gas in a unit for steam reforming the hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam, with a fuel providing the heat necessary for the reaction; a step for steam converting synthesis gas obtained in the preceding step, producing a stream of hydrogen containing methane and carbon dioxide; a step for capturing carbon dioxide present in the stream obtained from the steam conversion step in order to separate the carbon dioxide from the stream of hydrogen; a step for capturing and recycling the methane and other impurities (CO, CO2) present in the stream of hydrogen to the steam reforming step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Beatrice Fischer, Fabrice Giroudiere, Jean-Louis Ambrosino, Michel Thomas
  • Patent number: 8790618
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with optimized startup times, as well as to hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same, and methods of operating the same. Startup and shutdown methods for a PSA assembly, and optionally an associated fuel processing system, are disclosed to provide for shortened startup times. The PSA assemblies may be in fluid communication with a hydrogen source that may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to purge the PSA adsorbent columns of adsorbents during startup and/or shutdown procedures, the hydrogen source additionally or alternatively may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to charge the columns with hydrogen for idling in a pressurized state. The use of this hydrogen source, together with specific startup and shutdown methodologies, provides for reducing the startup time of the PSA assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: DCNS SA
    Inventors: Patton M. Adams, James A. Givens, Arne LaVen, Sudha Rani LaVen, Curtiss Renn
  • Publication number: 20140205536
    Abstract: There is provided herein a method for producing hydrogen gas, comprising: sorbing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel to a gasification catalyst to form a sorbed hydrocarbon fuel; heating said sorbed hydrocarbon fuel to a first temperature for a first period of time sufficient to form coke; and gasifying said coke at a second temperature at a pressure for a second period of time in the presence of water and/or oxygen, so as to produce hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide and to regenerate said catalyst. In particular, the hydrocarbon fuel can be a liquid biomass, such pyrolysis oil, and the method can be CO2 neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventors: Roland Schmidt, Christopher J. LaFrancois
  • Patent number: 8784531
    Abstract: In a gas separation apparatus that separates carbon dioxide and water vapor from a first mixture gas containing a predetermined major component gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, the energy utilization efficiency thereof is improved. Also, by utilizing the function of this gas separation apparatus, a membrane reactor and a hydrogen production apparatus exhibiting high energy utilization efficiency are provided. The gas separation apparatus is constructed to include a first separation membrane 33 and a second separation membrane 34 that are made of different materials. When the first mixture gas is supplied at a temperature of 100° C. or higher, the first separation membrane 33 separates a second mixture gas containing carbon dioxide and water vapor that permeate through the first separation membrane by allowing carbon dioxide and water vapor to permeate selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Renaissance Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Masaaki Teramoto, Eiji Kamio, Nobuaki Hanai, Yasato Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 8771637
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of hydrogen by autothermal reforming of natural gas, with simultaneous recovery of carbon dioxide using carbon dioxide-selective membrane separation. Residual gas from the hydrogen and carbon dioxide recovery is recycled back to the autothermal reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Douglas E Gottschlich, Haiqing Lin
  • Patent number: 8765018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a hydrocarbon vapor reforming reaction using a combustion chamber containing burners and tubes, said tubes being filled with catalysts and capable of being crossed by a mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor, the burners being arranged so as to transfer their combustion heat to the mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor through the walls of the tubes, wherein the temperature T of the wall of each tube is measured in the downstream part of the tube, and if for at least one tube, the measured temperature“is higher or equal to the MOT (DTT-15° C.), DTT being the design temperature of the measured tube, the functional parameters of the reforming method are then modified so as to decrease the measured temperature T of this tube down to a value lower than the MOT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Fouad Ammouri, Jean Gallarda
  • Patent number: 8764854
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a deposit-forming reference fuel composition comprises a high sulfur base fuel composition in an amount greater than 50 weight % based on total weight % of the deposit-forming reference fuel composition, wherein the high sulfur base fuel composition comprises greater than or equal to 200 ppm sulfur based on total sulfur content of the base fuel composition. The deposit-forming reference fuel composition also comprises a reactive diolefin dopant; and a reaction initiating peroxide. The reaction initiating peroxide has an active oxygen content greater than or equal to 2 weight % based on total oxygen content of the reaction initiating peroxide and a half-life temperature of 80° C. to 200° C. The deposit-forming reference fuel composition is free from a detergent additive and has a concentration ratio of greater than 1:1 for the reactive diolefin dopant to the reaction initiating peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William M. Studzinski, Jill M. Cummings
  • Patent number: 8747806
    Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen includes: passing a hydrocarbon feed though purification sorbent(s), combining steam with the purified hydrocarbon and passing the hydrocarbon/steam mixture adiabatically through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, passing the pre-reformed gas mixture through a fired steam reformer to generate a crude synthesis gas mixture, passing the crude synthesis gas mixture through one or more beds of water-gas shift catalyst to generate a shifted synthesis gas mixture, passing the shifted synthesis gas mixture to a membrane shift reactor containing a bed of water-gas shift catalyst and a CO2-selective membrane, cooling the hydrogen-enriched gas mixture to below the dew point and separating off the condensate, passing the de-watered hydrogen-enriched gas mixture to CO2 separation in pressure-swing absorption apparatus, and recycling at least a portion of the purge gas stream as fuel to the fired steam reformer or to the hydrocarbon feed or purified hydrocarbon feed streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventor: Stephen John Catchpole
  • Patent number: 8746009
    Abstract: Process for producing hydrogen from a gas mixture comprising hydrogen, CO2, CO, CH4 and water, employing a CO2 PSA unit, a cryogenic unit and an H2 PSA unit, in which process: a) said gas mixture is introduced into the CO2 PSA unit, producing a CO2-enriched fraction and CO2-depleted fraction; b) CO2-enriched fraction is introduced into the cryogenic unit, producing a CO2-enriched fraction and an H2-enriched fraction; c) the H2-enriched fraction is recycled upstream of the H2 PSA unit; and d) the CO2-depleted fraction coming from step b) is introduced into the H2 PSA unit, producing a hydrogen-enriched stream and a waste gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Christian Monereau, Céline Carriere
  • Patent number: 8728181
    Abstract: The inventive stage system for producing hydrogen consists of at least two upstream/downstream stages, respectively, each of which comprises, optionally, a catalytic reactor (C1 to C5) followed by a separator comprising a space (E1 to E4) for circulation of a gaseous mixture contacting at least one oxygen extracting membrane and a hydrogen collecting space, wherein the reactor (C1) of the upstream stage is connected to a reaction gaseous mixture source, the circulation stage (E1) of the upstream stage separator is connected to the reactor (C2) of the downstream stage and the spaces for extracting/collecting oxygen from two separators are connected to a hydrogen collecting circuit (TC, 8) which is common for two stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne des Technologies de l'Hydrogene (C.E.T.H.)
    Inventors: Eric Gernot, Arnaud Deschamps
  • Patent number: 8722010
    Abstract: A method for the coproduction of oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen using an ion transport membrane is provided. This method includes separating a compressed, hot air stream in an ion transport membrane, thereby producing a product oxygen stream and a hot nitrogen rich stream; utilizing at least a portion of the hot nitrogen rich stream as a heat source for reforming a hydrocarbons stream, thereby producing a syngas stream and a warm product nitrogen stream; and separating the syngas stream into a product hydrogen stream and a carbon dioxide rich stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 8715617
    Abstract: A hydrogen production process wherein steam and a hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a prereformer, the prereformed intermediate is further reacted in an oxygen-based reformer, the reformate is shifted and then separated by a pressure swing adsorber to form a H2 product stream and a tail gas, a first portion of the tail gas is recycled to the prereformer and/or the oxygen-based reformer, and a second portion of the tail gas is recycled to the pressure swing adsorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Genkin, Patricia Kentosh Hershman, Edward Landis Weist, Jr., Jianguo Xu
  • Publication number: 20140120033
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing synthesis gas without CO2 emissions. In the method for producing synthesis gas by reforming a hydrocarbon gas, a reforming reaction is caused by supplying a light hydrocarbon gas containing steam and/or carbon dioxide added thereto to a catalyst-filled tube side of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger-type reformer and circulating a heating medium, such as a molten salt, heated by a heat source such as solar heat or nuclear heat in a shell side of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger-type reformer. Carbon dioxide is removed from a produced gas discharged from the tube side and is supplied to the upstream side of the tube side and recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CHIYODA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8696775
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Proton Power, Inc
    Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley
  • Patent number: 8685358
    Abstract: In various implementations, feed streams that include ultrapure, high-pressure hydrogen streams and ultrapure, high-pressure nitrogen streams are reacted to produce ultrapure, high-pressure feed gas in a stoichiometric ratio to an ammonia synthesis reactor loop without or independent of including a methanol loop purge gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventor: Rodney J. Allam
  • Patent number: 8685365
    Abstract: Provided is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Mathias, G. Bradley Chadwell, Annalee Y. Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Matthew B. Schmidt, Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Thomas D. Yuschak, Bin Yang
  • Patent number: 8673512
    Abstract: When terminating power generation by a fuel cell 3 in a fuel cell system 1, an amount of a raw fuel material introduced to a reforming catalyst 2a of a reformer 2 is reduced. Here, before the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a is lowered to the un-reformed gas generation temperature, an amount of water supplied to the reforming catalyst 2a is controlled to increase the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a. Thus, upon termination of power generation in the fuel cell 3, no un-reformed gas is generated and the reformed gas is supplied to the fuel cell 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Tomotaka Ishida
  • Patent number: 8652222
    Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a biomass, such as switchgrass or hybrid poplar, a non-biomass carbonaceous material, such as petroleum coke or coal, and a gasification catalyst, where the gasification catalyst is loaded onto at least one of the biomass or non-biomass for gasification in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Pattabhi K. Raman, Edwin J. Hippo, Nelson Yee
  • Publication number: 20140037537
    Abstract: Steam reforming a hydrocarbon feed such as liquefied petroleum gas is conducted in the presence of a catalyst comprising a precious metal such as rhodium on a support comprising ceria, zirconia and praseodymium oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Lucas Donald Dorazio, Robert Farrauto
  • Patent number: 8636828
    Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: DCNS SA
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Publication number: 20140010753
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydrogen production with carbon capture are provided. A hydrogen containing stream can be divided so that a portion of the stream is processed for separation of CO2. A hydrogen enriched stream formed during separation of CO2 and another portion of the hydrogen containing stream can be processed in a cycling adsorber unit to form a hydrogen product stream. Optionally, the cycling adsorber unit can be operated to form a plurality of tail gas streams. The hydrogen containing stream can be a reformed hydrocarbon stream and/or an input stream previously exposed to a water gas shift catalyst. Optionally, a portion of the reformed hydrocarbon stream can be a reformed biocomponent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, John W. Viets
  • Patent number: 8591861
    Abstract: A production process includes combining a first feed stream and a second feed stream to produce, in a pre-reforming reactor, a first product stream comprising CH4 and H2O; wherein the first feed stream contains a mixture of H2 and at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms and alcohols having two or more carbon atoms, and the mixture has a hydrogen stoichiometric ratio (?) of at least 0.1, and the second feed stream contains steam; feeding the first product stream into a reforming reactor; and reacting the first product stream in the reforming reactor to produce a second product stream containing CO and H2; and a catalyst for use in the process. Conversion of the second product stream to synthetic crude, methanol, higher alcohols, and/or DME may also be undertaken. Yet further conversion of a synthetic crude to lubricants, diesel and the like, and/or the alcohols/DME to gasoline, olefins, and/or other oxygenates may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Rama A. Zakaria, Maxim Lyubovsky, Stephen C. Leviness
  • Patent number: 8591769
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of reducing the carbon dioxide balance from a reformer furnace flue gas to the high pressure syngas exit water gas shift reaction unit. Introducing a heated gas mixture into at least one pre-reforming chamber. The heating being provided by indirect heat exchange with one or more of an SMR furnace flue gas or an SMR furnace syngas introducing the gas mixture into a standard H2 PSA unit, wherein the gas mixture is separated into a hydrogen enriched stream and a PSA tail gas stream; introducing the PSA tail gas stream into a CPU system, wherein the PSA tail gas stream is separated into a carbon dioxide enriched stream, a hydrogen rich stream, and a residual stream, and introducing the residual stream as fuel into the reformer furnace along with natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme pour l'Étude et l'Exploitation de Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Dennis Vauk, Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 8580153
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of minimizing the emissions of carbon dioxide from a reformer furnace flue gas to the high pressure syngas exit water gas shift reaction unit. Including heating a first gas mixture by indirect heat exchange with one or more of an SMR furnace flue gas or an SMR furnace syngas, further heating the pre-reformed mixture in a primary reformer, thereby generating a second gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and a flue gas. Introducing the gas mixture into a standard H2 PSA unit, wherein the gas is separated into a hydrogen enriched stream and a PSA tail gas stream, and introducing PSA feed or tail gas stream into a carbon dioxide removal system, wherein the flue gas is separated into a residual flue gas stream and a carbon dioxide enriched stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Dennis A. Vauk, Bhadra S. Grover
  • Publication number: 20130287678
    Abstract: In a gas separation apparatus that separates carbon dioxide and water vapor from a first mixture gas containing a predetermined major component gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, the energy utilization efficiency thereof is improved. Also, by utilizing the function of this gas separation apparatus, a membrane reactor and a hydrogen production apparatus exhibiting high energy utilization efficiency are provided. The gas separation apparatus is constructed to include a first separation membrane 33 and a second separation membrane 34 that are made of different materials. When the first mixture gas is supplied at a temperature of 100° C. or higher, the first separation membrane 33 separates a second mixture gas containing carbon dioxide and water vapor that permeate through the first separation membrane by allowing carbon dioxide and water vapor to permeate selectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Renaissance Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Masaaki Teramoto, Eiji Kamio, Nobuaki Hanai, Yasato Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 8557218
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hydrogen production with carbon capture are provided. A hydrogen containing stream can be divided so that a portion of the stream is processed for separation of CO2. A hydrogen enriched stream formed during separation of CO2 and another portion of the hydrogen containing stream can be processed in a cycling adsorber unit to form a hydrogen product stream. Optionally, the cycling adsorber unit can be operated to form a plurality of tail gas streams. The hydrogen containing stream can be a reformed hydrocarbon stream and/or an input stream previously exposed to a water gas shift catalyst. Optionally, a portion of the reformed hydrocarbon stream can be a reformed biocomponent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, John W. Viets