Abstract: A tubular reactor and method for producing a product mixture in a tubular reactor where the tubular reactor comprises an internal catalytic insert having orifices for forming fluid jets for impinging the fluid on the tube wall. Jet impingement is used to improve heat transfer between the fluid in the tube and the tube wall in a non-adiabatic reactor. The tubular reactor and method may be used for endothermic reactions such as steam methane reforming and for exothermic reactions such as methanation.

Abstract: The present invention, in one configuration, is directed to producing a methane-containing gas from a hydrocarbon fuel energy source extracted from an in-situ recovery operation, such as a SAGD or HAGD operation, and subsequently converting at least a portion of the gas into steam, electrical power and diluents for subsequent use in the aforementioned in-situ recovery operation while emitting only controlled amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment.

Abstract: An oxygen ion transport membrane process wherein a heated oxygen-containing gas having one or more contaminants is contacted with a reactive solid material to remove the one or more contaminants. The reactive solid material is provided as a deposit on a support. The one or more contaminant compounds in the heated oxygen-containing gas react with the reactive solid material. The contaminant-depleted oxygen-containing gas is contacted with a membrane, and oxygen is transported through the membrane to provide transported oxygen.

Abstract: A metal substituted hexaaluminate catalyst for reforming hydrocarbon fuels to synthesis gas of the general formula AByAl12-yO19-?, A being selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and lanthanide metals or mixtures thereof. A dopant or surface modifier selected from a transitions metal, a spinel of an oxygen-ion conductor is incorporated. The dopant may be Ca, Cs, K, La, Sr, Ba, Li, Mg, Ce, Co, Fe, Ir, Rh, Ni, Ru, Cu, Pe, Os, Pd, Cr, Mn, W, Re, Sn, Gd, V, Ti, Ag, Au, and mixtures thereof. The oxygen-ion conductor may be a perovskite selected from M?RhO3, M?PtO3, M?PdO3, M?IrO3, M?RuO3 wherein M?=Mg, Sr, Ba, La, Ca; a spinel selected from MRh2O4, MPt2O4, MPd2O4, MIr2O4, MRu2O4 wherein M=Mg, Sr, Ba, La, Ca and mixtures thereof; a florite is selected from M?O2.

Abstract: A process for producing a hydrogen-containing product gas with reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional hydrogen production processes. A hydrocarbon and steam are reformed in a reformer and the resulting reformate stream is shifted in one or more shift reactors. The shifted mixture is scrubbed to remove carbon dioxide to form a carbon dioxide-depleted stream. The carbon dioxide-depleted stream is separated to form a hydrogen-containing product gas and a by-product gas. A portion of the hydrogen containing product gas is used as a fuel in the reformer and a portion of the by-product gas is recycled back into the process. The process may optionally include reforming in a prereformer and/or an oxygen secondary reformer.

Abstract: A method of catalytically reforming a reactant gas mixture using a pyrochlore catalyst material comprised of one or more pyrochlores having the composition A2-w-xA?wA?xB2-y-zB?yB?zO7-?. 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.

Abstract: Methane collected from a landfill is used as a feedstock for the production of hydrogen in a steam methane reformer. This invention provides a green energy feed stock for the hydrogen production that benefits the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for making syngas-derived products. For example, one aspect of the present invention provides a process for making a syngas-derived product, the process comprising (a) providing a carbonaceous feedstock; (b) converting the carbonaceous feedstock in a syngas formation zone at least in part to a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (c) conveying the synthesis gas stream to a syngas reaction zone; (d) reacting the synthesis gas stream in the syngas reaction zone to form the syngas-derived product and heat energy, a combustible tail gas mixture, or both; (e) recovering the syngas-derived product; and (f) recovering the heat energy formed from the reaction of the synthesis gas stream, burning the combustible tail gas mixture to form heat energy, or both.

Abstract: A process for conversion of coal in a reaction vessel comprises steps of: admixing coal and powdered alumina clay to form reactants; injecting the reactants with a high-pressure steam jet into the reaction vessel; and producing aluminum oxalate ash and hydrogen. Preferably, the reaction vessel is pressurized to maximize the production of aluminum oxalate and hydrogen. Optionally, the process includes adding calcium carbonate if not present in the clay. The reactants in the reaction vessel are typically maintained a temperature of about 2,000 degrees Kelvin and a pressure of about 1 mega Pascals. To save energy, the process may include preheating water with the aluminum oxalate ash to aid in creating pressurized steam. The hydrogen may be mixed with air and burned in a combustion chamber, such as is found within a gas turbine-generator unit to produce electricity. Optionally the reactants may include an aqueous sodium hydroxide.

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.

Abstract: A reaction device 10 is used for producing water gas from polyhydric alcohol and water. The reaction device 10 includes a reactor 13 which has a reaction field 14 where a catalyst is provided inside and a reaction fluid flows. The catalyst 17 has a surface extending in a direction of flow of the reaction fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactive working material for use in a process of producing hydrogen by splitting water based on a two-step thermochemical water-splitting cycle through the utilization of solar heat, industrial waste heat or the like, which comprises a ferrite fine powder and a cubic zirconia supporting the ferrite fine powder. This reactive working material makes it possible to prevent scaling off of the ferrite fine powder from the zirconia fine powder due to volumetric changes of the ferrite fine powder during repeated use, and suppress growth of FeO grains due to repetition of melting and solidification when used as a reactive working material for a cyclic reaction under a high temperature of 1400° C. or more.

Abstract: A novel method of combining the CTL fuel plant and IGCC electrical plant by sharing the systems of coal intake, coal preparation, gas separation, and water units is described herein. This configuration allows for the combined facility to offer advantages in efficiencies of production, operational flexibility, scalability, and reliability by a multi-path integration of the processing units.

Abstract: 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 separate surfaces. The gap space between the separate surfaces is very small. Within this confined gap space, at least one of the separate surfaces 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.

Abstract: A unified fuel processing reactor for a solid oxide fuel cell can reform hydrocarbon-based fuel into hydrogen-rich gas, remove a sulfur component, and convert non-converted fuel and a low carbon (C2˜C5) hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen and methane in a single reactor. The reactor comprises a primary-reformer which reforms a hydrocarbon-base fuel and generates hydrogen-rich reformed gas, a desulfurizer which removes a sulfur component from the reformed gas, and a post-reformer which selectively decomposes a low carbon (C2˜C5) hydrocarbon in the desulfurized reformed gas into hydrogen and methane. The primary-reformer, desulfurizer and post-reformer are in the unified reactor and isolated, except for a fluid passage, from each other by internal partition walls. The primary-reformer is disposed at a center portion of the reactor. The post-reformer and the desulfurizer are concentrically disposed outside of the primary-reformer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for co-generating electricity and hydrogen that comprises a stage a for steam reforming in the presence of water and oxygen of a hydrocarbon feedstock in which the O2/C molar ratio is to be between 0.003 and 0.2, and the H2O/C molar ratio is to be between 2 and 5, followed by a stage b for the production of electricity in a fuel cell that uses the hydrogen-rich gas that is obtained from stage a as a power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for producing gaseous hydrogen current or hydrogen-rich currents through hydrocarbon reforming with water vapor. Said catalyst comprises at least one support, an active phase and at least two promoting agents, and is characterized in that it is a metal-type-supported solid in which the active phase comprises at least one transition metal chosen from group VIII, and at least one promoting agent chosen from the alkaline-earth or transition metals; and the support comprises at least one mixed oxide with a basic nature, and at least one promoting agent chosen from among the lanthanides group. The invention also has as an object the process for preparing the catalyst, as well as its use in the process for obtaining the hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gas from hydrocarbons, in different operating conditions and using various types of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An autothermal reformer (103) includes a long section of unified foil or honeycomb catalyst bed (120) and a much shorter mixing and spreading section (102) of monolithic, open cell foam which mixes and spreads the components of mixture to be reformed. A fuel/steam mixture (A) passes through a heat exchange tube (44), and air (B) passes through a heat exchange tube (46), both tubes being heated by the exothermic catalytic reaction. The air, fuel and steam are mixed in a plurality of tubes (40) passing through a manifold (32), and thence into the monolithic, open cell foam mixing and spreading section (102). The shorter section may or may not be catalycized.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems with at least one temperature-responsive valve assembly, and methods for feedback regulation of the hydrogen-producing region. The temperature-responsive valve assembly responds automatically to the temperature of a gas stream of interest to regulate the flow of a subject gas stream therethrough. In some embodiments, these streams are the same streams, while in others, they are different streams. The streams may include at least the reformate stream from a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly, the byproduct stream from a purification region, and the product gas stream from the purification region. In some embodiments, the subject gas stream may be the byproduct stream, which is in fluid communication for delivery as a combustible fuel stream for a burner or other heating assembly that produces an exhaust stream to heat the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly.

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.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a novel process that eliminates the need for post combustion CO2 capture from fired heaters (at atmospheric pressure and in dilute phase) in a petroleum refinery to achieve environmental targets by capturing CO2 in a centralized facility and providing fuel gas low in carbon to the fired heaters. It combines the pre-combustion capture of carbon dioxide with production of a hydrogen fuel source within a refinery to drastically reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of the plant. The hydrogen fuel is utilized for the process fired heaters and the fuel quality (carbon content) can be set to meet the refinery's emissions objectives. Moreover, the carbon dioxide captured can be sequestered and/or utilized for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).

Abstract: A process for producing a purified synthesis gas stream from a carbonaceous feedstock, the process comprising (a) oxidizing a carbonaceous feedstock to obtain syngas containing hydrogen sulphide, (b) mixing the synthesis gas with methanol, reducing the temperature of said mixture and separating a liquid methanol-water mixture from a cooled syngas, (c) contacting the cooled syngas with methanol to decrease the content of hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide thereby obtaining a rich methanol stream comprising hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, (d) regenerating the rich methanol stream by separating from the rich methanol a carbon dioxide fraction and a hydrogen sulphide fraction to obtain lean methanol, wherein part of the methanol in the methanol-water mixture obtained in step (b) is isolated and reused in step (b) and/or (c) and wherein another part of the methanol in the methanol-water mixture obtained in step (b) is recycled to step (a).

Abstract: A process for the hydrotreating of fuels with co-production of hydrogen during operation of the process, which enables i.e. reduced need of make-up hydrogen in the hydrotreating stage. The hydrocarbon fuel introduced to the hydrotreatment stage is a fuel containing renewable organic material which generates carbon monoxide during operation of the process. The carbon monoxide is then converted to hydrogen in the recycle loop by a water gas shift stage.

Abstract: A reformer module (10) comprises a hollow support member (12) having at least one passage (14) extending longitudinally therethrough. The hollow support member (14) has an external surface (20), a barrier layer (22) arranged on at least a portion of the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), a catalyst layer (24) arranged on the barrier layer (22) and a sealing layer (26) arranged on the catalyst layer (24) and the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12) other than the at least a portion of the external surface of the hollow support member (12). By providing the barrier layer (22) and the catalyst layer (24) on the exterior surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), the distribution of the barrier layer (22) and/or the catalyst layer (24) may be more precisely controlled and thus a non-uniform distribution of barrier layer (22) and/or catalyst layer (24) may be achieved.

Abstract: A supercritical water reformer (SCWR) and methods for using supercritical water to convert hydrocarbons, particularly hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel fuel or gasoline, into carbonaceous gases and hydrogen. The synthesis gas stream generated by the fuel reforming reaction can then be further refined to increase hydrogen content, and the resultant hydrogen can be utilized to power fuel cells.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a hydrogen-containing gas mixture from a suitable hydrocarbon-containing feed gas in a reformer, wherein at least part of the feed gas is diverted before it enters the reformer and is supplied to at least one secondary reformer, and wherein the feed gas is contacted with a nanostructured catalyst in the secondary reformer and the substantially CO and CO2 -free exhaust gases of the secondary reformer are either combined with the hydrogen-containing gas mixture which escapes the reformer or introduced into the reformer. Furthermore there is described the use of this method for producing high quality soots, nanoonions, nanohorns, nanofibers and/or nanotubes which adhere to the catalyst, and a device for producing a hydrogen-containing gas mixture from a suitable feed gas in a reformer which comprises a supply line with a super-heated-vapor line joining said supply line, and a discharge line.

Abstract: Reactors and methods that generate hydrogen from fuel, such as naturally-occurring or synthesized hydrocarbon fuel. One embodiment of the reactor comprises a CO2/H2 active membrane piston disposed inside a cylinder that provides for highly efficient and scalable hydrogen generation from hydrocarbon fuels. This embodiment may function in a two or four stroke modes. Another embodiment of the reactor comprises a dual piston configuration having CO2 and H2 active membrane pistons inside a single cylinder. Other embodiments of the reactor comprise flexible membranes or diaphragms that operate in a manner similar to pistons with or without regeneration of residual reaction products.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing synthesis gas, SG, from hydrocarbons and/or recycled compounds. In the process: a stream comprising a first feed F1 supplemented with steam undergoes steam reforming in a multi-tube reactor-exchanger R having a shell and reaction tubes containing a steam reforming catalyst within the shell; the reaction tubes are heated by convection by circulating in the shell, in overall counter-current mode, a heating fluid HF external to the tubes, which fluid comprises a first combustion gas stream of a second feed F2, then fluid HF is mixed, in 1 to 4 complementary combustion zones internal to the shell, with a third feed F3 and a gas comprising oxygen, to increase the temperature of the HF, and then the mixture obtained circulates in R to heat the reaction tubes in a complementary manner; and SG is produced from the steam reforming effluent from F1 and optionally part or all of the HF.

Abstract: This invention describes a complete sequestration of carbon (CO2 and CO) from coal burning plants. In this process, hydrogen can be generated which in turn permits the reduction in the cost of hydride synthesis. The hydrides store hydrogen for on-board application for automobiles and fuel cells. Hydrogen generation and synthesis of hydrides is accomplished by using an integrated approach in which coal is used as a fuel and carbon is sequestered in the process. The CO and or CO2 produced in coal burning power plants and the heat is used when available for producing hydrogen and hydrides. Carbon is used both as a reactant and as a fuel. Economically hydrogen production cost is comparable to or less than the current price of hydrogen produced from fossil-fuel with the added benefit of carbon sequestration and reducing global warming. Specific processes for synthesizing important hydrogen storage materials, hydrides are described.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide emissions within a refinery are reduced by reforming a hydrocarbon containing feed at low pressure to enhance the conversion of methane to hydrogen and carbon monoxide and thereby reduce methane slip. The hydrocarbon containing feed is composed entirely or at least in part of a refinery off gas. The resulting reformed stream is then subjected to water-gas shift conversion to form a shifted stream from which carbon dioxide is separated. As a result of the separation and the low pressure reforming, hydrogen containing fuel gas streams, that are thereby necessary lean in carbon dioxide and methane, are used in firing the steam methane reformer and other fuel uses within the refinery to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon dioxide that is separated can be sequestered or used in other processes such as enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: A method for generating hydrogen and/or syngas in a production facility where little or no export steam is produced. Most or all of the steam produced from the waste heat from the process is used in the steam-hydrocarbon reformer. Reformed gas is passed to a pressure swing adsorption system for H2 purification. In the method, CO2 is removed from the pressure swing adsorber residual gas prior to recycling the residual gas to the reformer for use as feed and as fuel. Plant efficiencies using the method and prior art-type methods are compared.

Abstract: The invention describes microchannel apparatus and catalysts that contain a layer of a metal aluminide or are made in a process in which a metal aluminide layer is formed as an intermediate. Certain processing conditions have surprisingly been found to result in superior coatings. The invention includes chemical processes conducted through apparatus described in the specification. Other catalysts and catalyst synthesis techniques are also described.

Abstract: A hydrogen production method and facility in which a synthesis gas stream produced by the gasification of a carbonaceous substance is processed within a synthesis gas processing unit in which the carbon monoxide content is reacted with steam to produce additional hydrogen that is removed by a pressure swing adsorption unit. The tail gas from the pressure swing adsorption unit is further reformed with the addition of a hydrocarbon containing stream in a steam methane reforming system, further shifted to produce further additional hydrogen. The further hydrogen is then separated in another pressure swing adsorption unit.

Abstract: An oxidative autothermal reformer including a reforming layer at least partially filled with a reforming catalyst for producing a reformed gas composed mainly of hydrogen through a reforming reaction by contacting a mixture of a hydrocarbon or an aliphatic alcohol and steam with the reforming catalyst; and an oxidative exothermic layer at least partially filled with an oxidation catalyst for generating heat by oxidizing a part of the reformed gas, in which the reforming layer is disposed at an upstream side of the oxidative exothermic layer; the reforming layer and the oxidative exothermic layer are in the form of a cylinder and have a triple circular tube structure formed by disposing an inner reforming layer, an oxidative exothermic layer and an outer reforming layer from the inside in a radial direction in this order; and at least a part of the reforming catalyst filled in the inner reforming layer and the outer reforming layer contains Ru metal.

Abstract: 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 wail (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).

Abstract: Briefly described, methods of generating (H2) from a biomass and the like, are disclosed.

Abstract: In operating the carbon monoxide removal reactor or the fuel reforming system, there is provided a technique for removing carbon monoxide in a stable manner for an extended period of time. In a method of removing carbon monoxide including an introducing step of introducing a reactant gas including mixture gas and an oxidizer added thereto to a carbon monoxide removal reactor forming in its casing a catalyst layer comprising a carbon monoxide removal catalyst for removing carbon monoxide contained in the mixture gas and a removing step of removing the carbon monoxide by causing the oxidizer to react with the mixture gas on the carbon monoxide removal catalyst, in said introducing step, the reactant gas of 100° C. or lower is introduced to the carbon monoxide removal reactor.

Abstract: A method of operating a methanation reactor to reduce carbon monoxide concentration in a reformate stream in a fuel cell reformer. The reactor includes a flowpath with a noble metal catalyst supported by a ceramic support such that the reactor preferentially converts carbon monoxide via methanation over that of carbon dioxide. The reduced level of carbon monoxide present in the reformate stream after passing through the methanation reactor reduces the likelihood of poisoning of the catalyst used on the fuel cell anode.

Abstract: Relates to a process and apparatus that improves the hydrogen production efficiency for small scale hydrogen production. According to one aspect, the process provides heat exchangers that are thermally integrated with the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, combustion and water gas shift, are arranged closely to the endothermic reaction, steam reformation, and heat sinks, cool natural gas, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermally integrated process eliminates excess piping throughout, reducing initial capital cost.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of pure hydrogen by steam reforming. The process integrates the steam reforming and shift reaction to produce pure hydrogen with minimal production of CO and virtually no CO in the hydrogen stream, provides for CO2 capture for sequestration, employs a steam reforming membrane reactor, and is powered by heat from the convection section of a heater.

Abstract: A process and system for producing an effluent gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen is presented. The process includes introducing a fuel gas including a hydrocarbon and a reformer gas into a reactor system. The reformer gas may include steam, CO2, or a mixture thereof. Under steam reforming temperatures and pressures, the gases are reacted in the presence of reactant solids. The reaction process produces a carbon monoxide and hydrogen containing effluent, which may be withdrawn from the reactor system.

Abstract: A method for separating a hydrogen-rich product stream from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and at least one carbon-containing gas, comprising feeding the feed stream, at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and a temperature greater than 200° C., to a hydrogen separation membrane system comprising a membrane that is selectively permeable to hydrogen, and producing a hydrogen-rich permeate product stream on the permeate side of the membrane and a carbon dioxide-rich product raffinate stream on the raffinate side of the membrane. A method for separating a hydrogen-rich product stream from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and at least one carbon-containing gas, comprising feeding the feed stream, at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and a temperature greater than 200° C.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies, including steam reforming fuel processing assemblies, startup assemblies for use therein, and methods of operating the same. In some embodiments, the startup assemblies include a startup reforming region that is upstream from a primary, or second, hydrogen-producing reforming region. In some embodiments, the startup reforming region and primary reforming regions are both steam reforming regions. In some embodiments, the startup assembly further includes at least one of a vaporization region and a startup heating assembly. In some embodiments, the startup heating assembly is an electrically powered heating assembly, and the fuel processing assembly further includes a (primary) heating assembly that combusts a byproduct stream from the fuel processing assembly to produce a combustion exhaust stream.

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.

Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell system includes at least one reaction substrate having a channel for allowing fuel to flow on a surface thereof; and a close contact assembly closely contacted with a surface of the reaction substrate to form a passage by the channel, wherein the reaction substrate includes aluminum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a hydrogen containing product in which hydrocarbon containing feed gas streams are reacted in a steam methane reformer of an existing hydrogen plant and a catalytic reactor that reacts hydrocarbons, oxygen and steam. The catalytic reactor is a retrofit to the existing hydrogen plant to increase hydrogen production. The resulting synthesis gas streams are combined, cooled, subjected to water-gas shift and then introduced into a production apparatus that can be a pressure swing adsorption unit. The amount of synthesis gas contained in a shifted stream made available to the production apparatus is increased by virtue of the combination of the synthesis gas streams to increase production of the hydrogen containing product. The catalytic reactor is operated such that the synthesis gas stream produced by such reactor is similar to that produced by the steam methane reformer and at a temperature that will reduce oxygen consumption within the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a hydrogen-containing gas in a reformer where a furnace, which is independent of the reformer, heats the effluent from a prereformer prior to reacting the prereformer effluent in the reformer. The prereformer effluent may be heated in a heat exchange tube in the furnace where the heat exchange tube is positioned in the furnace to preclude direct radiation from any flames in the furnace thereby preventing local overheating of the heat exchange tube and preventing carbon formation in the heat exchange tube. Fuel and oxidant gas may be introduced into the furnace with significant excess oxidant gas, having a stoichiometric ratio of 1.8 to 2.8 for controlling the temperature of the heat exchange tube.

Abstract: A gasification plant and methods for producing ammonia, Fischer-Tropsch fuels, electrical power, and/or sulfur from carbon-bearing feedstocks including coal and/or petroleum coke. Methods for production of desired relative amounts of ammonia and Fischer-Tropsch liquid hydrocarbons by adjusting the amount of synthesis gas bypassing the Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The multi-product and integrated plants may be used to reduce the amount of CO2 vented into the atmosphere during the production of these products.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating high pressure hydrogen at improved thermal efficiencies. First a synthesis gas stream at a first pressure is produced in a pressure swing reformer. Next the synthesis gas stream is subjected to a high temperature water gas shift process to produce a hydrogen enriched stream from which high pressure hydrogen is obtained. Specific embodiments of the invention involve: regenerating the reformer at a pressure lower than the synthesis gas generation; operating the synthesis gas generation step at conditions sufficient to provide a syn gas stream at a temperature in the range used in the water gas shift reaction; and using pressure swing adsorption to separate the hydrogen.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing hydrogen for a fuel cell by (a) reacting a fuel comprising a hydrocarbon and/or an oxygenate with steam, under steam reforming conditions in a reforming reactor to produce a product stream comprising hydrogen, (b) feeding at least part of the hydrogen produced in step a) to a fuel cell, to produce electric power and a waste stream comprising hydrogen, (c) reacting at least part of the waste stream from step b) with an oxygen-containing gas in a combustion reactor, and (d) using the heat energy produced in step c) to supply energy to the steam reforming reaction in step a) in which the combustion reactor is positioned within the reforming reactor to facilitate heat transfer between the stages.