Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated gasification and hydroprocessing process. A hydrocarbonaceous fuel is first gasified to produce syngas, and then a portion of the hydrogen is removed from the syngas. The hydrogen is compressed and used as an excess reactant in a hydroprocessing unit. Hydrogen gas is recovered from the hydroprocessing unit product, purified, compressed and recycled to the hydroprocessing unit. The hydrogen-poor syngas is expanded in an expander that drives the compressor that compresses the recycled hydrogen gas. The expanded syngas is then combined with light hydrocarbons removed from the recycle hydrogen gas stream, combusted in a gas turbine and used for power generation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of reformed gases. Natural gas and/or liquid hydrocarbons and oxygen are combusted in a first stage to produce carbon dioxide and water. The products of combustion are conveyed to a second stage. Reforming gas or atomized liquid hydrocarbons and oxygen are injected into the second stage and mixed with the products of combustion to react with the carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The process and apparatus are particularly adapted for use in supplementing the reform gases produced in a Direct Reduced Iron plant wherein iron ore is reduced to iron inside a shaft furnace. The process and apparatus may also be used to provide heated enrichment natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons for use as a source of carbon in the shaft furnace to provide for carburization of the iron. Additionally, the process and apparatus may be used as a process control device for controlling the temperature of the reformed gases flowing to the shaft furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of reaction zones arranged in an insulated, box-shaped, compact fuel processor. The multi-step process includes preheating the hydrocarbon fuel utilizing integration with the inherent exothermic processes utilized with the fuel processor, reacting the preheated hydrocarbon fuel to form the hydrogen rich gas, and purifying the hydrogen rich gas to produce a gas that is suitable for consumption in a fuel cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of reaction zones arranged in a common reaction chamber. The multi-step process includes: providing a fuel to the fuel processor so that as the fuel reacts and forms the hydrogen rich gas, the intermediate gas products pass through each reaction zone as arranged in the reactor to produce the hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and optionally nitrogen, from at least a hydrocarbon such as methane, propane, butane or LPG or natural gas, which consists in performing a partial catalytic oxidation (1) of one or several hydrocarbons, at a temperature of 500° C., at a pressure of 3 to 20 bars, in the pre of oxygen or a gas containing oxygen, such as air, to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide; then in recuperating the gas mixture which can subsequently be purified or separated, by pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption of by permeation (3), to produce hydrogen having a purity of at least 80% and a residue gas capable of supplying a cogeneration unit In another embodiment, the gas mixture can subsequently be purified of its water vapour impurities and carbon dioxide to obtain a thermal treatment atmosphere containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for starting a fast light-off catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate fuel from hydrocarbon fuel and air, the reformer having means for receiving flows of fuel and air, a reforming catalyst for reforming the fuel and air mixture, and an ignition device. A control system selects fuel and air flow rates to form a lean fuel/air mixture and operates the ignition device to ignite the lean mixture to produce hot exhaust gases that flow over and heat the reforming catalyst for a first length of time. Fuel flow is then stopped temporarily for a second length of time, and further ignition is terminated. Fuel flow is then restarted and adjusted to provide a rich fuel/air mixture which is directed to the heated catalyst for reforming into reformate fuel. Air flow may also be adjusted in setting the lean and/or rich fuel/air mixtures.

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

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

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

Abstract: Membrane modules that contain one or more hydrogen-selective membranes, methods for preparing the same, and hydrogen purification systems, fuel processors and devices containing the same. In some embodiments, the membrane modules include one or more hydrogen-selective membranes supported on a screen structure, of which a variety of embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the membrane or membranes are adhesively mounted on the screen structure during assembly. In some embodiments, the screen structure includes a plurality of screen members adhesively mounted together during assembly. In some embodiments, the screen structure includes a coating.

Abstract: Process for pyrolyzing a light feed in a pyrolysis furnace designed for pyrolyzing heavy feed, in which process part of the light feed is introduced at the feed inlet of the convection zone of the pyrolysis furnace and further light feed is introduced into the convection zone together with the dilution gas.

Abstract: A compact, multitube steam reformer converts a fuel into a reformate stream comprising hydrogen. In one embodiment, the reformer comprises a closed vessel and a burner disposed within the vessel. The burner comprises a start fuel manifold for receiving and distributing a start fuel stream, an oxidant manifold for receiving and distributing an oxidant stream, and a burner fuel manifold for receiving and distributing a burner fuel stream. The oxidant manifold comprises a plurality of oxidant distribution tubes, each having an inlet end and an outlet end, disposed in a separator member. The burner fuel manifold comprises a plurality of burner fuel distribution tubes, each having an inlet end and an outlet end. The burner fuel distribution tubes extend through the start fuel manifold and the oxidant manifold and are fluidly isolated therefrom.

Abstract: A method of improving the thermoconductivity of heat exchange for an air conditioning or refrigeration system, comprising introducing a concentrate into the system which comprises introducing a concentrate into the compressor of the system, the concentrate comprising an amine phosphate deactivator, such as a yellow metal deactivator, a chloronated paraffin, a calcium salt of dialkyl aromatic sulfonic acid, polyalpha-olefin, a nonylated phenylamine derivative, an ashless disperant, carboxylic acid esters, fatty acid derivatives, triazole carbamates and a barium or calcium sulfonate, and an additive having the composition, used in the concentrate, and a compressor driven system utilizing the novel additive.

Abstract: A system for the water vapor reforming of a hydrocarbon includes a modular reactor unit of the plate stack and/or tube bundle type that, in an integrated manner, contains an evaporator, a prereforming unit, a main reformer, a CO removal unit and a catalytic burner unit. The evaporator and the main reformer are in a thermal contact with the catalytic burner unit and, the prereforming unit is in a thermal contact with the CO removal unit.

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

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

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a fuel cell to generate electric power from a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream is produced from the feed stream in a novel steam reforming zone containing a steam reforming catalyst disposed in a bell-shaped catalyst zone. The bell-shaped catalyst zone is disposed over a combustion zone such that the exhaust gas from the combustion flows around the bell-shaped catalyst zone to heat the catalyst from the inside and the outside of the catalyst zone. Furthermore, the bell-shaped catalyst zone maintains a high inlet and a high outlet temperature to avoid methane slippage in the steam reforming zone. Heat for the steam reforming zone is provided by a fuel stream and at least a portion of the anode waste gas stream from the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of main reformer startup is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a first supply of fuel and a first supply of air into a micro-reformer. The first supply of fuel is increased to produce a heated reformate in the micro-reformer. The heated reformate is directed through a main reformer in order to heat the main reformer. At least a portion of the heated reformate is burned in the main reformer. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air is introduced into the main reformer to produce a main supply of reformate. A method for maintaining a vehicle device in standby condition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A temperature/reaction management system comprises a reformer system and a mat material fluidly coupled to a portion of the inlet of the reforming zone of the reformer system. An inert material and/or flame arrestor can optionally be positioned before the mat material to filter particulate matter, and lower the temperature of the fuel, respectively. A method for managing the temperature and reaction of fuel in an energy conversion device comprises dispensing an air/fuel mixture through a mat material disposed against an inlet of a reformer system. The air/fuel mixture is dispensed through a reflective surface of the mat material to maintain a first temperature that is less than a second temperature necessary for a gas phase reaction to occur. The mat material inhibits the propagation of a flame into the reformer system, and allows fuel to enter the reformer system.

Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with columns of individual gas passages. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the assembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages. The regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages and the reformer gas passages in each sub-assembly are connected by gas flow reversing manifolds which form a part of each sub-assembly.

Abstract: A tubular fuel gas-steam reformer assembly, preferably an autothermal reformer assembly, for use in a fuel cell power plant, includes a fuel-steam vaporizer, a fuel-steam and air mixing station, and a catalyst bed. The catalyst bed can include catalyzed alumina pellets, or a monolith such as a foam or honeycomb body which is preferably formed from a high temperature material such as a steel alloy, or from a ceramic material. The fuel-steam mixture is vaporized in the vaporizer and then passes into the mixing station. The mixing station comprises a plurality of mixing tubes which open into the catalyst bed. The mixing tubes extend through a manifold and include openings which interconnect the interior of the tubes with the manifold. The openings have axes which are perpendicular to the axis of each of the mixing tubes, and are positioned on the tubes at locations which are dictated by the diameter of the mixing tubes and which will ensure thorough mixing of the air and fuel-steam streams.

Abstract: A fuel processor including a hydrogen generating apparatus, a single vessel heat-integrated multi-stage water-gas shift reactor, a multifunctional heat exchanger, a multiple heat source boiler, and a single vessel water exchanged multi-staged preferential oxidation reactor is integrated with a fuel cell stack. Hydrogen is manufactured by the fuel processing apparatus and is consumed by the fuel cell stack, thereby providing one means of integration. The portion of the hydrogen that is not utilized within the fuel cell stack is subsequently burned in the combustion chamber of the fuel processing apparatus thereby providing a second means of integration. The warm cooling water that exits from the fuel cell stack is used as a heat sink for the exothermic heat of reaction in the preferential oxidation reactor, thereby providing a third means of integration.

Abstract: A gas generation system for providing a gas flow to be supplied to a reformer includes an evaporator for evaporating the components contained in a gas flow, wherein the gas flow includes at least one carbon compound, such as hydrocarbon or alcohol, and water vapor. A normalizing stage is connected between the evaporator and the reformer for equalizing the temperature distribution in the gas flow to be supplied to the reformer. The temperature of the gas flow should be equalized to a temperature range below the maximum allowable reformer inlet temperature. In this way, temperature maxima caused by a load change are equalized, thereby significantly increasing the service life of the reformer catalyst.

Abstract: Initially, a ship containing LNG sails to an existing offshore natural gas pipeline. Such pipelines are often found on offshore natural gas platforms. The ship containing LNG then connects to a gasification device, which may be located on the ship, the platform, or on another ship (e.g., a barge). This gasification device, in turn, connects to the pipeline and supplies the pipeline with natural gas. In this manner, natural gas can be supplied to an existing pipeline without involving a land-based gasification device.

Abstract: A compact, multitube steam reformer converts a fuel into a reformate stream comprising hydrogen. In one embodiment, the reformer comprises a closed vessel and a burner disposed within the vessel. The burner comprises a start fuel manifold for receiving and distributing a start fuel stream, an oxidant manifold for receiving and distributing an oxidant stream, and a burner fuel manifold for receiving and distributing a burner fuel stream. The oxidant manifold comprises a plurality of oxidant distribution tubes, each having an inlet end and an outlet end, disposed in a separator member. The burner fuel manifold comprises a plurality of burner fuel distribution tubes, each having an inlet end and an outlet end. The burner fuel distribution tubes extend through the start fuel manifold and the oxidant manifold and are fluidly isolated therefrom.

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

Abstract: A plasmatron-catalyst system. The system generates hydrogen-rich gas and comprises a plasmatron and at least one catalyst for receiving an output from the plasmatron to produce hydrogen-rich gas. In a preferred embodiment, the plasmatron receives as an input air, fuel and water/steam for use in the reforming process. The system increases the hydrogen yield and decreases the amount of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus includes a reforming catalyst, a filtering member, a raw material supply flow passage and a processed gas flow passage. The filtering member has a plurality of cells. A reforming catalyst is carried on a surface of a partition on the side of the processed gas flow passage. If raw gas including hydrocarbon fuel is supplied to the fuel reforming apparatus and filtered by the filtering member, soot included in the raw gas is trapped by gaps in the partition, and the hydrocarbon fuel is reformed into reformed gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide on the reforming catalyst. By increasing the amount of air supplied from a blower at intervals of time, the soot trapped by the partition is removed by combustion.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide reducing device supplies oxygen to a reformate gas obtained through a reforming reaction so as to oxidize carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas by means of the oxygen and thereby reduces a concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas. This carbon monoxide reducing device is equipped with an oxygen supply amount controller designed to oxidize CO. The oxygen supply amount controller controls an amount of oxygen supplied to oxidize carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas based on an amount of supply of fuel contributing to the reforming reaction. Thereby, the amount of oxygen for oxidizing carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas is adjusted appropriately, and a high-quality reformate gas can be obtained.

Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus includes a vaporizing device, a vapor mixing device and a reforming device. The vaporizing device produces a vapor by vaporizing at least a portion of a first one of a hydrocarbon fuel and water, without mixing with a second one of the hydrocarbon fuel and the water, so as to produce a vapor gas containing the vapor and air. The vapor mixing device receives the vapor gas from the vaporizing device, and creates a vapor mixture by spraying at least a portion of at least one of the hydrocarbon fuel and the water, which was not vaporized by the vaporizing device, toward the supplied vapor gas. Thr reforming device receives the vapor mixture from the vapor mixing device and reforms the hydrocarbon fuel to a reformate gas containing hydrogen.

Abstract: An autothermal reactor for the generation of a hydrogen-containing product gas stream from a feed gas stream comprises a reactor vessel having a feed gas stream inlet end and a product gas outlet end. A partial oxidation catalyst is located within the reactor vessel and positioned in the path of the feed gas stream. A steam methane reforming catalyst is located within the reactor vessel and positioned downstream from the partial oxidation catalyst in the path of the feed-gas stream. A first inlet is provided to introduce a first feed gas stream component selected from the feed gas component stream group comprising a hydrocarbon fuel, oxidant, and steam. The first inlet is located at the fuel gas stream inlet end of the reactor vessel. A mechanism to pulsate is associated with the first inlet to pulsate the flow of the first feed gas stream component into the autothermal reactor.

Abstract: A method for treating at least one liquid fluid comprising a high water content, and including a volatile fraction and a heavy fraction, in order to separate said two fractions. Said method consists in burning at least one gas fluid, recuperating the heat released by said combustion for subsequently heating the liquid fluid. The heated liquid fluid is pressurised and then expanded so as to separate the volatile fraction from the heavy fraction. The volatile fraction is then burnt with the gas fluid. The heavy fraction is extracted from the process to be subsequently treated. The invention also concerns an installation for implementing the treatment method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor vessel and method for the gasification of carbon-containing fuel, residual and waste materials using an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent and in a reaction chamber which is designed as an entrained-bed reactor, at pressures between ambient pressure and 80 bar, preferably between ambient pressure and 30 bar, the contour of the reaction chamber being delimited by a cooling system, and the pressure in the cooling system always being held at a higher level than the pressure in the reaction chamber, and the cooling system withstanding the maximum possible pressure difference with respect to the reaction chamber, which has been depressurized to atmospheric pressure, which reactor vessel is distinguished by the fact that cooling channels are formed by webs which are in contact both with a refractory protective layer and with the pressure shell.

Abstract: A membrane for separating hydrogen from a gas mixture is provided on at least one side with a catalyst layer for a specific catalytic combustion process. A methanol reformation system so equipped can be brought rapidly to operating temperature, with the hydrogen-separating membrane being heated directly by performing the catalytic combustion process.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a gas containing hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide, comprising a liquid-gas reactor-contactor (2), means (3) for supplying gas to be treated and means (1) for supplying an organic solvent containing a catalyst, means (25) for recovering sulphur an doutlet means (20) for a gaseous effluent containing sulphur in vapour form, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises at least one means (7) for contacting and cooling the gaseous effluent, delivering a three-phase effluent, having an inlet connected to the effluent outlet means (20) and to means (6, 13) for recycling a cooling solvent, means (30) for separating said three-phase effluent connected to the cooling means, adapted to separate purified gas from sulphur and comprising means (17) for evacuating purified gas, means (15) for extracting sulphur and means (14) for recovering solvent connected to the means (6, 13) for recycling the cooling solvent.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises two burner zones using a single igniter separated by a heat transfer zone for use in low-cost hydrogen generation units. When used in conjunction with a control system which limits the effluent temperature to less than about 700° C., the apparatus can be constructed of materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel rather than more exotic materials. This simplified structure and the use of less exotic materials provides an efficient, low-cost combined partial oxidation reactor for small-scale hydrogen production systems, especially for hydrogen production systems associated with fuel cell operation for the production of electricity.

Abstract: In a device for providing heating energy to a gas-generating system by means of essentially complete catalytic combustion of a fuel on a suitable catalyst material, heat energy is transferred directly or by means of a heat-conducting medium from the catalytic burner to the gas-generating system. To improve the starting behavior and the exhaust emissions, the device comprises three components that are at least temporarily traversed by fuel, with a cold-start component having an electrical heating device. The central component is preferably designed as a filter press with an integrated heat exchanger. A third, unheated, stage is also provided for residual gas combustion.

Abstract: A natural gas reformer comprising a stack of thermally conducting plates interspersed with catalyst plates and provided with internal or external manifolds for reactants. The catalyst plate is in intimate thermal contact with the conducting plates so that its temperature closely tracks the temperature of the thermally conducting plate, which can be designed to attain a near isothermal state in-plane to the plate. One or more catalysts may be used, distributed along the flow direction, in-plane to the thermally conducting plate, in a variety of optional embodiments. The reformer may be operated as a steam reformer or as a partial oxidation reformer. When operated as a steam reformer, thermal energy for the (endothermic) steam reforming reaction is provided externally by radiation and/or conduction to the thermally conducting plates. This produces carbon monoxide, hydrogen, steam and carbon dioxide.