Including Decomposing Water Patents (Class 423/652)
-
Patent number: 8591861Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Rama A. Zakaria, Maxim Lyubovsky, Stephen C. Leviness
-
Patent number: 8580153Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignees: Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Dennis A. Vauk, Bhadra S. Grover
-
Publication number: 20130287678Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Renaissance Energy CorporationInventors: Osamu Okada, Masaaki Teramoto, Eiji Kamio, Nobuaki Hanai, Yasato Kiyohara
-
Patent number: 8557218Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, John W. Viets
-
Patent number: 8551444Abstract: Embodiments of a compact pressure swing reformer are disclosed. Certain embodiments have a construction comprising multiple rotating reformer beds, high temperature rotary valves at the bed ends, and E-seals to seal the beds to the valves. Several possible designs for introducing reactants into the beds also are disclosed. The multiple reformer beds are configured to provide for pressure equalization and ‘steam push’. The compact pressure swing reformer is suitable for use in fuel cell vehicle applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Rajeev Agnihotri, Soheil Alizadeh-Khiavi, Paul Berlowitz, Brooke Cox, Bruce Derites, Jeffrey Frederick, Jeffrey Grenda, Kamal Hatami, Frank Hershkowitz, Zhiguo Hou, Daryl Musselman, Novica Rados, John Siller, Richard Socha, George Walchuk
-
Patent number: 8522573Abstract: A system for conversion of waste and solar heat energy into a carbon sequestration device, including as a collector for collecting carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas source, such as ambient air. The Joule Thompson effect is used to cool and thereby refrigerate/liquefy ambient air and then extracting carbon dioxide therefrom, comprising steps of and means for providing a hydride heat engine, operating the hydride heat engine utilizing hydride thermal compression technology to compress hydrogen gas and thereby to cool ambient air to a temperature rendering air into a refrigerated/liquefied state by use of a Joule-Thompson type process, and extracting carbon dioxide from the refrigerated/liquefied ambient air and collecting the carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Ergenics CorporationInventor: P. Mark Golben
-
Patent number: 8524119Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst for preparing synthesis gas from natural gas and carbon dioxide, and a method for preparing the same. More particularly, a combined reforming process is performed as an economical way of using carbon dioxide, wherein steam reforming of natural gas is carried out simultaneously with carbon dioxide reforming of methane in such a manner that a predetermined ratio of carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide/hydrogen (H2/(2CO+3CO2)=0.85-1.15) is maintained. In this manner, the catalyst is used to prepare synthesis gas suitable for methanol synthesis and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Disclosed also is a method for preparing synthesis gas on a specific catalyst consisting of Ni/Ce/MgAlOx or Ni/Ce-Zr/MgAlOx. The catalyst is inhibited from deactivation caused by generation of cokes during the reaction as well as deactivation caused by reoxidation of nickel with water added during the reaction. Therefore, the catalyst shows excellent activity as compared to other catalysts for use in combined reforming.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignees: Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Korea Research Institute of Chemical TechnologyInventors: Ki Won Jun, Seung-Chan Baek, Jong Wook Bae, Keh-Sik Min, Seok-Lyong Song, Tae-Young Oh
-
Patent number: 8506915Abstract: This invention involves a cyclic method for capturing CO2 from gas streams arising from processes of reforming, gasification or combustion of carbonaceous fuels. The method is based on these gas streams reacting with solids that contain at least CaO and a metal or an oxidized form of the metal. The method is characterized by the oxidized form of the metal being able to undergo a sufficiently exothermic reduction reaction for the heat released during the reaction to cause the decomposition of CaCO3. The thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of the method of this invention make it ideal for the removal of the CO2 present in gas streams resulting from processes such as hydrocarbon reforming or the combustion of carbonaceous fuels.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientificasInventors: Juan Carlos Abanades García, Ramón Murillo Villuendas
-
Patent number: 8486367Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating hydrogen (5), wherein an input (1) comprising carbon is fed longitudinally through a tube-shaped reaction chamber (Z), together with water steam (2), and is thereby converted by steam reforming, and hydrogen (4) formed during steam reforming is continuously drawn off out of the reaction chamber (Z) through a separating wall (T), said wall being selectively hydrogen-permeable at least in segments, and at a pressure less than the pressure in the reaction chamber (Z) and greater than the ambient pressure, having greater purity than product (5), characterized in that a separating wall (T) is used, the selectively hydrogen-permeability segments thereof being disposed such that a hydrogen partial pressure drop exists over the entire surface of each of such segments between the reaction chamber side and the hydrogen extraction side (W).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Linde AGInventors: Karl Heinz Hofmann, Nicole Schoedel, Klaus Klapper, Axel Behrens, Roland Dittmeyer
-
Patent number: 8486301Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of utilizing a catalyst system for an oxidation process on a gaseous hydrocarbon stream with a mitigation of carbon accumulation. The system is comprised of a catalytically active phase deposited onto an oxygen conducting phase, with or without supplemental support. The catalytically active phase has a specified crystal structure where at least one catalytically active metal is a cation within the crystal structure and coordinated with oxygen atoms within the crystal structure. The catalyst system employs an optimum coverage ratio for a given set of oxidation conditions, based on a specified hydrocarbon conversion and a carbon deposition limit. Specific embodiments of the catalyst system are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: David A Berry, Dushyant Shekhawat, Mark Smith, Daniel Haynes
-
Patent number: 8480770Abstract: A hydrogen manufacturing system for performing offgas flow control includes: a vaporizer (1) for heating a material mixture containing a hydrocarbon material; a reforming reactor (2) for generating hydrogen-containing reformed gas by reforming reactions of the material; a PSA separator (5) for repeating a cycle of adsorption and desorption, where in the adsorption PSA separation is performed with an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbent to adsorb unnecessary components in the reformed gas and extract hydrogen-enriched gas out of the tower, and in the desorption the offgas containing the unnecessary components from the adsorbent and remaining hydrogen is discharged from the tower; and a buffer tank (6) for holding the offgas before supplying to the vaporizer. The offgas flow supply from the tank (6) to the vaporizer is changed continuously over time when the cycle time is changed according to load change on the separator (5).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiko Sumida, Masanori Miyake, Hidenori Minami, Yoshinori Ueda
-
Publication number: 20130156686Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicants: American Air Liquide, Inc., Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LPInventors: Dennis VAUK, Bhadra S. GROVER
-
Publication number: 20130156685Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicants: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Air Liquide Large Industrial U.S. LPInventors: DENNIS VAUK, Bhadra S. Grover
-
Patent number: 8460630Abstract: When the production of hydrogen and the recovery of carbon dioxide are simultaneously performed by using as a raw material a carbon-containing fuel, the increase of the system cost is suppressed and the efficiency is improved.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Nippon Oil CorporationInventors: Takuya Niitsuma, Shunsuke Maekawa, Yoshihiro Kobori
-
Patent number: 8460633Abstract: Process for the production of high-purity hydrogen from an ethanol or higher-alcohol feedstock, employing a steam reforming unit, a carbon monoxide conversion unit and a membrane separation unit and comprising intense thermal integration that is obtained by combustion under the control of an effluent of the process so as to provide the calories that are necessary to the steam reforming reaction.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: IFP Energies nouvellesInventors: Dominique Casanave, Nicolas Boudet
-
Patent number: 8444951Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel, a supply of oxidant, and a supply of liquid water; atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant and steam; catalytically reacting the fuel-oxidant-steam mixture in a catalyst bed; initiating the catalytic reaction with an ignition source; positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalyst bed so as to convert the liquid water to steam; and feeding the steam into the catalytic reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a liquid fuel vaporizer. A preferred catalyst bed includes an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Maxim Lyubovsky, Curtis Morgan, Joel DesJardins, Dennis E. Walsh
-
Patent number: 8425804Abstract: A process with which a liquid fuel is evaporated completely in two stages is provided. In the first stage, the fuel is mixed with a hot primary medium and partly evaporated. In the second stage, the already evaporated fuel fraction is partly oxidized, which provides the heat for the complete evaporation of the fuel fractions which are yet to be evaporated. A fuel-air mixture for a reformer can be obtained with an advantageous embodiment of the process, in which the fuel is mixed homogeneously with oxidizing agent in the inventive evaporation. For the performance of the process, a mixing chamber is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2007Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbHInventors: Zdenek Pors, Andreas Tschauder, Joachim Pasel, Ralf Peters, Detlef Stolten
-
Patent number: 8414666Abstract: Reformer and method for producing hydrogen and steam where steam is used for steam-assisted extraction of heavy hydrocarbons. Steam is injected into a hydrocarbon-containing reservoir. Hydrocarbons are extracted from the reservoir along with produced water. Hydrogen is produced in a catalytic steam hydrocarbon reformer. Combustion product gas from the reformer is used to generate wet steam in a once-through steam generator from produced water recycled from the reservoir. The wet steam is used for the steam-assisted extraction of heavy hydrocarbons. The reformer has a heat exchanger section including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger downstream of the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is suitable for processing the produced water by once-through steam generation and is suitable for mechanical cleaning. The reformer also has a first exhaust downstream of the second heat exchanger and a closeable second exhaust downstream of the first heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: John Eugene Palamara, David Anthony Zagnoli, William Frederick Baade
-
Patent number: 8404008Abstract: A system for reforming diesel fuel into hydrogen including feeds for water and diesel fuel, a supercritical water (SCW) reactor in fluid communication with the water feed and the diesel fuel, at least one pre-heater in thermal communication with the water feed, the diesel fuel feed that is configured to heat water from the water feed and diesel fuel from the diesel fuel feed to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the critical temperature of water before the water and the diesel fuel are mixed, a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor, and a hydrogen capturing system, where the SCW reactor reforms the diesel fuel into a synthesis gas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and outputs the synthesis gas, the synthesis gas output by the SCW reactor is fed into the WGS reactor which converts the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydrogen and outputs an output gas including a higher percentage of hydrogen to carbon monoxide compared to the synthesis gas, and the hydrogen in the output gaType: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.Inventors: John R. Wootton, Sunggyu Lee, Asdrubal Garcia-Ortiz
-
Patent number: 8383078Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: GTLpetrol LLCInventors: Shoou-I Wang, John Michael Repasky, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng
-
Patent number: 8378159Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon fuel from a hydrocarbon-containing gas is disclosed and described. A hydrocarbon-containing gas is produced (10) containing from about 25% to about 50% carbon dioxide and can be reformed (12) with a steam gas to form a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The reforming can be a composite dry-wet reforming or a tri-reforming step. The mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide can be at least partially converted (14) to a methanol product. The methanol product can be converted to the hydrocarbon fuel (18), optionally via DME synthesis (16). The method allows for effective fuel production with low catalyst fouling rates and for operation in an unmanned, self-contained unit at the source of the hydrocarbon-producing gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Oberon Fuels, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Corradini, Jarod McCormick
-
Patent number: 8372375Abstract: For recovering hydrogen with a high recovery from a reformed gas and contributing to downsizing and cost reduction of facilities, a high-purity hydrogen E is obtained by reforming a reformable raw material A through a reforming unit 1 to yield a hydrogen-rich reformed gas B, compressing the hydrogen-rich reformed gas B with a compressor 2, allowing the compressed gas to pass through a PSA unit 3 to remove unnecessary gases other than carbon monoxide by adsorption, and allowing the resulting gas to pass through a carbon monoxide remover 4 packed with a carbon monoxide adsorbent supporting a copper halide to remove carbon monoxide by adsorption.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Nakao, Takeshi Yamashita, Akitoshi Fujisawa, Keita Yura
-
Patent number: 8366795Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising a carbonaceous material, such as petroleum coke and/or coal, treated or otherwise associated with a gasification catalyst, where the catalyst is at least in part derived from a leachate from a biomass char, 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Pattabhi K. Raman, Nelson Yee
-
Patent number: 8361433Abstract: There is provided a technique for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing gas. An oxygen-containing gas is mixed with a feed gas obtained by mixing steam with a hydrocarbon fuel, this mixture is introduced into a catalytic reaction chamber, and a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction are conducted to obtain a hydrogen-containing gas. In this reforming, an antechamber of the catalytic reaction chamber is heated up to a self-ignition temperature in a first catalyst section, where the self-ignition temperature is the temperature at which a mixed gas self-ignites during the advection period required for the mixed gas to move from a mixing chamber to the catalytic reaction chamber, with this temperature being at least a minimum partial-oxidation temperature and lower than a minimum steam reforming temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fuyuki Noguchi, Naoki Inoue, Kota Yokoyama
-
Patent number: 8361428Abstract: Processes for the generation of steam are provided for use in an integrated catalytic gasification process for converting carbonaceous materials to combustible gases, such as methane. Generally, the exhaust gas from a steam generating reactor is provided along with steam, a carbonaceous feedstock, and a gasification catalyst, to a catalytic gasifier, wherein under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions, the carbonaceous feedstock is converted into a plurality of product gases, including, but not limited to, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. As substantially all the carbon dioxide produced from the steam generation process and the gasification process are subsequently directed though gas purification and separation processes, substantially all the carbon dioxide may be recovered, yielding a process having a near zero carbon footprint.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Pattabhi K. Raman, Francis S. Lau, Earl T. Robinson, Donald Anthony
-
Patent number: 8349214Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a synthesis gas product having one or more oxygen transport membrane elements thermally coupled to one or more catalytic reactors such that heat generated from the oxygen transport membrane element supplies endothermic heating requirements for steam methane reforming reactions occurring within the catalytic reactor through radiation and convention heat transfer. A hydrogen containing stream containing no more than 20 percent methane is combusted within the oxygen transport membrane element to produce the heat and a heated combustion product stream. The heated combustion product stream is combined with a reactant stream to form a combined stream that is subjected to the reforming within the catalytic reactor. The apparatus may include modules in which tubular membrane elements surround a central reactor tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Sean M. Kelly, Brian R. Kromer, Michael M. Litwin, Lee J. Rosen, Gervase Maxwell Christie, Jamie R. Wilson, Lawrence W. Kosowski, Charles Robinson
-
Patent number: 8349039Abstract: Processes are provided for capturing and recycling carbonaceous fines generated during a gasification process. In particular, the recycled fines are processed into a particulate composition which is useable as a carbonaceous feedstock and is conversion into a gas stream comprising methane.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.Inventor: Earl T. Robinson
-
Patent number: 8343456Abstract: A hydrocarbon reforming catalyst which maintains carrier strength even after a long-term thermal history and which exhibits high catalytic activity is prepared by causing at least one noble metal component selected from among a ruthenium component, a platinum component, a rhodium component, a palladium component, and an iridium component to be supported on a carrier containing manganese oxide, alumina, and at least one compound selected from among lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, and zirconium oxide, or a carrier containing silicon oxide, manganese oxide, and alumina. By use of the reforming catalyst, hydrogen is produced through steam reforming (1), autothermal reforming (2), partial-oxidation reforming (3), or carbon dioxide reforming (4). A fuel cell system is constituted from a reformer employing the reforming catalyst, and a fuel cell employing, as a fuel, hydrogen produced by the reformer.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshimi Kawashima, Hiroshi Ohashi
-
Patent number: 8333951Abstract: A method produces a product gas rich in hydrogen. A starting material including carbon is split via pyrolysis, and the resulting gas is mixed with water vapor to increase the hydrogen content and heated. The heat necessary comes from the combustion of the produced pyrolysis coke. The heat necessary for individual process steps is fed via a heat transfer medium circuit having a heating zone heated via flue gas from the pyrolysis coke firing. The gas/water vapor mixture is subsequently heated in a reaction zone. The heat transfer medium heats the starting material in a pyrolysis zone indirectly, without directly contacting the starting material, is cooled in a cooling zone, and subsequently returns to the beginning of the circuit. Upstream of the heating zone, the heat transfer medium is preheated via the hot product gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Inventor: Heinz-Juergen Muehlen
-
Publication number: 20120301391Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen starting from liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons, and/or oxygenated compounds, also deriving from biomasses, and mixtures thereof. Said process is characterized in that it comprises a preheating section (200) of the reagents, a short contact time—catalytic partial oxidation section (101) to give synthesis gas, a thermal recovery section (201), a conversion section (102) of the carbon monoxide present in the synthesis gas to carbon dioxide by means of a Water Gas Shift reaction, a removal section of the carbon dioxide produced (104), a cooling and removal section of the condensate. Said process can possibly comprise a purification section of the hydrogen produced by means of Pressure Swing Adsorption (105) and generation of purge gas having a medium heat power. Said process also possibly comprises a hydrodesulphuration section of the reagents.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: ENI S.p.A.Inventors: Luca Eugenio Basini, Gaetano Iaquaniello
-
Publication number: 20120288439Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, John W. Viets
-
Patent number: 8309049Abstract: A molten metal reactor for converting a carbon material and steam into a gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide is disclosed. The reactor includes an interior crucible having a portion contained within an exterior crucible. The interior crucible includes an inlet and an outlet; the outlet leads to the exterior crucible and may comprise a diffuser. The exterior crucible may contain a molten alkaline metal compound. Contained between the exterior crucible and the interior crucible is at least one baffle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Dennis N. Bingham, Kerry M. Klingler, Terry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding
-
Patent number: 8308828Abstract: A steam reformer is use in a fuel processor system to create a water gas shift reaction between a hydrocarbon fuel and water. A hydrocarbon fuel and water are provided. The water is heated to superheated steam. The hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with the superheated steam to produce a vaporized fuel/steam mixture. The vaporized fuel/steam mixture is directed into a gap space between concentric tubes. The gap space between the separate surfaces is very small. Within this confined gap space, the outer concentric tube is heated to maintain a reaction temperature range that induces the water gas shift reaction. The water gas shift reaction produces reactant gases that include hydrogen gas and contaminant gases. At least some of the contaminant gases are burned to heat the gap space.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Inventor: Peter R. Bossard
-
Publication number: 20120282166Abstract: A water reactive hydrogen generation system includes devices and methods to combine reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen is used in a fuel cell or other application. The water reactive hydrogen generation system includes a reactant fuel chamber, a reactor chamber (zone), a water solution inlet, a hydrogen output port, and a material delivery device. The material delivery device can include a drive screw and a sliding piston to move the fuel material into the reactor zone when a reaction is initiated. As the reaction takes place, the reaction waste product is removed from the reaction zone to allow additional reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to be introduced and to continue the hydrogen-generating reaction. A reaction waste product created is exchanged for additional reactant fuel material at determined intervals to allow the reaction to continue until the reactant fuel is exhausted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Andrew P. WALLACE, John M. MELACK, Michael LEFENFELD
-
Patent number: 8303676Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Proton Power, Inc.Inventors: Samuel C. Weaver, Samuel P. Weaver, Daniel C. Weaver, Daniel L. Hensley
-
Publication number: 20120275992Abstract: A process wherein a gas mixture of a reformate gas comprised predominantly of hydrogen and carbon oxides, and a biogas comprised predominantly of methane and carbon dioxide is passed through a pressure swing adsorption unit. Contaminants, such as carbon oxides, are adsorbed and a methane-rich stream and a hydrogen-rich stream are separately recovered. The methane-rich stream is sent to steam methane reforming that results in a reformate comprised primarily of hydrogen which is then combined with the biogas feed stream and sent to pressure swing adsorption.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventor: Juzer Jangbarwala
-
Patent number: 8298499Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a chemical reactor which includes elongate chambers defining an arrangement and including first, second, and third elongate chambers adapted to support respective distinct first, second, and third reactor functions associated with respective first, second, and third process feeds, and a distributor arranged in fluidic communication with each of the elongate chambers and for connecting the elongate chambers to at least one fluid source. The distributor is dimensioned to produce a two-dimensional radial distribution of fluidic flow through the first, second, and third elongate chambers with respect to the first, second, and third process feeds. The chemical reactor may further include a monolith catalyst support including an N×M array of channels including the elongated chambers.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: University of ConnecticutInventors: Benjamin A. Wilhite, Angela M. Moreno, Daejin Kim
-
Patent number: 8298305Abstract: A hydrogen manufacturing system for performing offgas flow control includes: a vaporizer (1) for heating a material mixture containing a hydrocarbon material; a reforming reactor (2) for generating hydrogen-containing reformed gas by reforming reactions of the material; a PSA separator (5) for repeating a cycle of adsorption and desorption, where in the adsorption PSA separation is performed with an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbent to adsorb unnecessary components in the reformed gas and extract hydrogen-enriched gas out of the tower, and in the desorption the offgas containing the unnecessary components from the adsorbent and remaining hydrogen is discharged from the tower; and a buffer tank (6) for holding the offgas before supplying to the vaporizer. The offgas flow supply from the tank (6) to the vaporizer is changed continuously over time when the cycle time is changed according to load change on the separator (5).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiko Sumida, Masanori Miyake, Hidenori Minami, Yoshinori Ueda
-
Publication number: 20120258037Abstract: A catalytic membrane reactor assembly for producing a hydrogen stream from a feed stream having liquid hydrocarbons, steam, and an oxygen source through the use of an autothermal reforming reaction, a water-gas-shift reaction, and a hydrogen permeable membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Thang V. Pham, Sai P. Katikaneni, Jorge N. Beltramini, Moses O. Adebajo, Joao Carlos Diniz Da Costa, G.Q. Lu
-
Patent number: 8282907Abstract: Hydrogen generators and processes for operating hydrogen generators using partial oxidation/steam reforming of fuel are provided that can achieve desirable Net Hydrogen Efficiencies over a range of fuels and hydrogen product production rates and purities. Superheated steam for the reformer feed is provided through indirect heat exchange with the reformate and through indirect heat exchange with a flue gas. The relative portions of superheated steam from each heat exchange is adjusted to enhance Net Hydrogen Efficiency as a demand condition such as hydrogen product production rate or purity changes, and cooler oxygen-containing gas is used to avoid precombustion temperatures in the reformer feed.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Hyradix, Inc.Inventors: Kishore J. Doshi, Robert J. Sanger
-
Patent number: 8281577Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system, which upgrades exhaust gas purification while curtailing an increase in an operating cost, is disclosed. The exhaust gas purification system comprises an SCR catalyst for reducing and removing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas from an engine (10) by bringing the nitrogen oxides into contact with a reducing agent, oxidation catalysts (11, 17) for oxidizing gas components in the exhaust gas, a water electrolysis device (24) for producing oxygen by electrolyzing water, and an oxygen supply pipe (29) for supplying the oxygen produced by the water electrolysis device (24) to the exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masazumi Tanoura, Shuuji Fujii, Masatoshi Katsuki, Daishi Ueno, Yuko Ujihara
-
Patent number: 8257668Abstract: A hydrogen generator according to the invention comprises: a combustion gas passage (5) configured to flow combustion gas coming from a combustor; a preheat-evaporator (6) which is supplied with a material gas and water and configured to evaporate the water and heat the material gas by heat transmitted from the combustion gas passage and a carbon monoxide reducer (10) through partition a wall; a reformer (7) configured to generate reformed gas from the material gas and steam fed from the preheat-evaporator by using a reforming catalyst (8) and heat transmitted from the combustion gas passage through the partition wall; the carbon monoxide reducer (10) configured to remove carbon monoxide from the reformed gas fed from the reformer by a carbon monoxide removing catalyst (9); a cylindrical body (3) closed at both ends thereof having an internal space is divided by the partition walls (1), (2), (30), (47) to form the combustion gas passage, preheat-evaporator, reformer and carbon monoxide reducer within the cyliType: GrantFiled: September 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Yuji Mukai, Akira Maenishi, Kunihiro Ukai, Toru Nakamura
-
Patent number: 8257466Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Idatech, LLCInventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger, R. Todd Studebaker
-
Publication number: 20120207668Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Roland Schmidt, Christopher J. LaFrancois
-
Patent number: 8241600Abstract: A method of catalytically reforming a reactant gas mixture using a pyrochlore catalyst material comprised of one or more pyrochlores having the composition A2B2-y-zB?yB?zO7-?, where y>0 and z?0. Distribution of catalytically active metals throughout the structure at the B site creates an active and well dispersed metal locked into place in the crystal structure. This greatly reduces the metal sintering that typically occurs on supported catalysts used in reforming reactions, and reduces deactivation by sulfur and carbon. Further, oxygen mobility may also be enhanced by elemental exchange of promoters at sites in the pyrochlore. The pyrochlore catalyst material may be utilized in catalytic reforming reactions for the conversion of hydrocarbon fuels into synthesis gas (H2+CO) for fuel cells, among other uses.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: David A. Berry, Dushyant Shekhawat, Daniel Haynes, Mark Smith, James J. Spivey
-
Patent number: 8221692Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing radiative heat transfer in a steam reformer from an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner to an interior reactor via angled fins coupled to the exterior shell. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner and angled fins, the angled fins extending away from an inner surface of the exterior shell and downward toward the diffusion burner. The steam reformer further comprises an interior reactor positioned at least partly within the exterior shell.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: ClearEdge Power, Inc.Inventors: Bob Sorensen, Craig E. Evans, Brian Sonnichsen
-
Publication number: 20120177552Abstract: A process for removing CO2 from a gas containing CO2 by reacting it with a magnesium silicate mineral suspended in a molten salt and additionally a process for converting coal or other fossil fuel to hydrogen by reaction the fossil fuel or coal with water in a molten salt at elevated temperatures in the presence of a magnesium silicate mineral suspended in the molten salt wherein the magnesium silicate reacts with CO2 produced in the reaction, thus removing it from the hydrogen productType: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventor: Calvin Billings
-
Patent number: 8216531Abstract: Disclosed are a syngas production process and a reforming exchanger 100. 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 100.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLCInventors: Robert Burlingame, Thomas Czuppon, Larry G. Hackemesser
-
Publication number: 20120156574Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen using fuel cell off gases, the method feeding hydrocarbon fuel to a sulfur adsorbent to produce a desulfurized fuel and a spent sulfur adsorbent; feeding said desulfurized fuel and water to an adsorption enhanced reformer that comprises of a plurality of reforming chambers or compartments; reforming said desulfurized fuel in the presence of a one or more of a reforming catalyst and one or more of a CO2 adsorbent to produce hydrogen and a spent CO2 adsorbent; feeding said hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell; regenerating said spent CO2 adsorbents using the fuel cell cathode off-gases, producing a flow of hydrogen by cycling between said plurality of reforming chambers or compartments in a predetermined timing sequence; and, replacing the spent sulfur adsorbent with a fresh sulfur adsorbent at a predetermined time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Duraiswamy Kandaswamy, Anand S. Chelappa, Mack Knobbe
-
Publication number: 20120141368Abstract: A novel steam reformer unit design, a novel hydrogen PSA unit design, a novel hydrogen/nitrogen enrichment unit design, and novel processing scheme application are presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicants: LURGI GmbH, L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude ed I'Exploitaion Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Tarun D. Vakil, Ulrich Wolf