Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems for using an expander. In a first embodiment, a system includes a flow path and a gasification section disposed along the flow path. The gasification section is configured to convert a feedstock into a syngas. The system also includes a scrubber disposed directly downstream of the gasification section and configured to filter the syngas. The system also includes a first expander disposed along the flow path directly downstream from the scrubber and configured to expand the syngas. The syngas comprises an untreated syngas.

Abstract: A process for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in a reactor, in which a stream comprising the hydrocarbon and a stream comprising the oxygen are fed to the reactor, wherein both streams fed to the reactor are conducted within the reactor separately through in each case one or more spatially separate lines, these lines having turbulence generators in their interior, owing to which, as a result of the imposed deflection of the flow direction downstream of turbulence generators, a highly turbulent flow field forms, and the streams are then mixed in a mixing zone after exiting from the lines and then converted in a reaction zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of a nozzle reactor of the type useable to inject a first material feed stock and a second material feed stock to cause interaction between the first material feed stock and second material feed stock are described herein. According to some embodiments, the nozzle reactor may crack residual oil produced by other processing units in a refinery process. Furthermore, nozzle reactors may replace traditional processing units of a refinery process, such as cokers, hydrocrackers and deasphalting units.

Abstract: A process for preparation of synthesis gas and/or hydrogen by counter-currently providing an oxidation reactant stream through an oxidation chamber and a reforming reactant stream through a steam reforming chamber is described. Also provided is a reactor for conducting the reaction.

Abstract: This invention describes a new device for controlling the radial profile of the temperature of a confined gas stream that is designed to be used as a coolant in an exchanger that is located downstream from said device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for ameliorating NOx slip from a lean NOx trap by reducing the amount of hydrocarbons reaching the lean NOx trap during the early stages of, or in a period immediately preceding, a rich regeneration. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon absorber is configured downstream from a fuel reformer, but upstream from the lean NOx trap, in order to reduce the quantity of hydrocarbons that reach the lean NOx trap during lean reformer warm-up and rich regeneration phases. In another embodiment, the fueling rate to a fuel reformer configured in an exhaust line upstream from the lean NOx trap is limited to reduce NOx slip.

Abstract: A reactor air supply system including a first air inlet configured to receive air supplied from a first air supply. The system includes a burner having a burner nozzle configured to discharge fuel for mixing with the first air and configured to ignite the fuel/air mixture. A second air inlet is provided that is configured to receive heated air supplied from a second air supply, and a duct is provided to receive the ignited fuel/air mixture and the heated air supplied from the second air supply. The duct has an outlet configured to connect to a reactor. The duct is configured to receive the heated second air such that the heated second air mixes with the ignited fuel/air mixture at a location downstream of the burner.

Abstract: A system for generating hydrogen gas utilizes a volume exchange housing for the storage of a fuel material that reacts to generate hydrogen gas and a hydrogen separation chamber. The system includes a gas permeable membrane or membranes that allow hydrogen gas to pass through the membrane while preventing aqueous solutions from passing therethrough. The system is orientation independent. A throttle valve is also used to self regulate the reaction generating the hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Hydrogen generators and integrated hydrogen generator/fuel cells systems are operated by determining the condition of the hydrogen generator and the condition of the fuel to the hydrogen generator for selection of predetermined flow rates for each of the externally-provided raw materials. The processes of the invention can provide rapid transitions between hydrogen production rates while enabling enhanced efficiency and stability during transient operations.

Abstract: A fuel reforming device for reforming an air-fuel mixture includes a mixing chamber to which fuel and air are introduced and which is composed such that an air-fuel mixture flows upward; a reforming reaction chamber which is arranged downstream of the mixing chamber and which includes a reforming catalyst that reforms the air-fuel mixture; an inclined surface for recovering the fuel which has not reached the inside of the reforming reaction chamber; and a fuel recovery pipe and a fuel recovery pump which are used for re-introducing unvaporized fuel and the like collected by the inclined surface to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A diesel combustion engine system providing improved fuel combustion and exhaust aftertreatment includes: a diesel combustion engine having a liquid fuel intake, an air intake, a reformate intake, and an exhaust outlet; a liquid diesel fuel source in fluid communication with the liquid fuel intake and an on-board catalytic partial oxidation fuel reformer that receives a supply of hydrogen-containing liquid diesel fuel and a supply of air and produces therefrom a hydrogen-rich reformate. An exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet and the reformer includes a reformate conduit upstream from exhaust aftertreatment components.

Abstract: A gasification furnace and a combustion furnace are integrated with each other to form a single fluidized-bed gasification and combustion furnace in which unburned char generated in the gasification furnace is combusted in the combustion furnace, and the thus generated heat of combustion is utilized as a heat source for gasification. The fluidized-bed gasification and combustion furnace (1) comprises a gasification furnace (3) and a combustion furnace (4) which are divided by a first partition wall (2). In the gasification furnace (3), a revolving flow of the fluidized medium is formed by diffusion devices (32, 33) provided on furnace bottoms, and an upward flow of the fluidized medium partly flows in the combustion furnace (4). The combustion furnace (4) is divided into a main partition wall (5).

Abstract: A chemical reactor is disclosed and which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship. A plurality of reaction zones are located within the core, as are a plurality of catalyst receiving zones, and both the reaction zones and the catalyst receiving zones are defined by respective aligned apertures in the plates. A first channel arrangement is provided in some of the plates for transporting a first reactant to and between the reaction zones, portions of the first channel arrangement that interconnect the reaction zones being formed over at least a portion of their length as heat exchange channels. A second channel arrangement is provided in others of the plates and is arranged to deliver a second reactant to each of the reaction zones.

Abstract: In an integrated process for the production of synthesis gas, a partial oxidation unit and a steam methane reformer are used to convert natural gas or another fuel to first and second mixtures of at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen, only the first process consuming oxygen. Carbon dioxide derived from the second mixture is sent to the inlet of the first process to reduce the oxygen consumption. The first and optionally second mixtures may be used as synthesis gas for a process such as a Fischer Tropsch process.

Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolysis and gasification of organic substances and mixtures thereof is provided with a pyrolysis reactor (1), a fluidized-bed firing (3) for pyrolysis residue, a reaction zone (2) for the pyrolysis gases (13) and circulating fluidized-bed material (35). The pyrolysis reactor (1) has a sluice for introducing application material (10) thereinto. An inlet for the fluidized-bed material (35) is disposed next to the combustion fluidized bed (3). Transport apparatus (14) for mixture of solid pyrolysis residue and circulating fluidized bed material (35) is disposed at or near a bottom of the fluidized bed (3) and lower end of the pyrolysis reactor (1). An overflow is situated at or near the top of the fluidized bed (3) while a heat transfer member is positioned within the reaction zone (2).

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: Carbonaceous material is removed from a catalyst within an autothermal reformer by introducing an isolated oxidant stream into the autothermal reformer prior to introduction of hydrocarbon fuel into the reformer. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into the autothermal reformer following removal of the carbonaceous material. A concurrent supply of the hydrocarbon stream and the oxidant stream to the autothermal reformer is maintained such that an exothermic reaction driven by the oxidant stream provides heat to an endothermic reaction driven by water vapor in the hydrocarbon stream. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Hydrogen-rich reformate gas is produced by a fuel reformer (2) from fuel vapor containing hydrocarbon, which is produced by a fuel vaporizer (6), by means of a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction. A fuel injector (8, 9) supplies fuel to the fuel vaporizer (6), and an air injector (8a) supplies air to the fuel vaporizer (6). A glow plug (13) partially oxidizes the air-fuel mixture inside the fuel vaporizer (6). By controlling the air supply amount in relation to the fuel supply amount to obtain an excess air factor corresponding to a predetermined rich air-fuel ratio, a part of the air-fuel mixture in the fuel vaporizer (6) is partially oxidized, and the remaining fuel vapor is heated by the oxidation heat. As a result, the partial oxidation reaction and steam reforming reaction in the fuel reformer (2) are performed with a favorable balance.

Abstract: A system for generating hydrogen gas utilizes a volume exchange housing for the storage of a fuel material that reacts to generate hydrogen gas and a hydrogen separation chamber. The system includes a gas permeable membrane or membranes that allow hydrogen gas to pass through the membrane while preventing aqueous solutions from passing therethrough. The system is orientation independent. A throttle valve is also used to self regulate the reaction generating the hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A process for carrying out secondary reforming reactions for the production of synthesis gas wherein a gas flow comprising oxygen and a gas flow comprising hydrocarbons are fed into a combustion chamber and are reacted upon mixing, thus obtaining a gas flow comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide fed in turn to a catalytic bed for carrying out a steam reforming reaction, is distinguished in that it comprises the steps of:—feeding the gas flow comprising oxygen in the combustion chamber in the form of a plurality of jets not laid the one upon the other with respect to the direction of the flow comprising hydrocarbons and generated by corresponding parallel streamtubes having equal velocity;—splitting the plurality of jets within the gas flow comprising hydrocarbons in the combustion chamber so as to mix the gas flow comprising oxygen with amounts of gas flow comprising hydrocarbons at local constant ratio.

Abstract: Described is a mixing device for mixing a gaseous stream of a fuel and an oxidant that has a cylindrical mixing chamber, means for injecting a gaseous stream of the fuel tangentially along the inner surface of the wall of the mixing chamber, and means for injecting a stream of the oxidant axially along the central longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber, wherein the diameter of the mixing chamber and the dimensions and location of the means for injecting the fuel and the oxidant are such that the tangentially injected stream of the fuel forms a wall jet around the axially injected stream of the oxidant without impinging upon the other stream. A reactor for the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel containing the mixing device and to a process for the catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel using the mixing device is further described.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for increasing production of product that is formed in a reactor having a combustion section in which fuel is burned to produce heat to drive an endothermic reaction occurring within a reaction section. Production is increased by adding supplemental oxygen to air or other oxygen containing gas used to support combustion in the combustion section, thereby to generate more heat to support an increase in the endothermic reaction. Additionally, supplemental oxygen can be introduced into the reaction section to partially oxidize a reactant to generate heat and to allow an increase in the production of the product. Supplemental oxygen may be added directly to the steam-methane mixture, or to the combustion air.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the pyrolysis and gasification of waste materials, in particular of special and/or hazardous waste materials, comprising a gasification and melting step, a step of treatment of the mixture of the obtained gases, and a vitrification step, wherein said steps provide for the following passages: a) the material to be treated, at a temperature comprised between 1300 and 1500° C.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion apparatus such as an internal combustion engine is described, in which the apparatus includes at least one combustion chamber with an inlet port for primary combustion air, an apparatus to introduce into the combustion chamber primary fuel for combustion with the primary air, an exhaust port for combustion products, and an exhaust system for exhausting the combustion products to atmosphere, the method including introducing into the exhaust system secondary air, mechanically acting upon the secondary air and products of combustion in the exhaust system in the presence of a catalyst, to produce a reformed fuel, introducing the reformed fuel into the combustion chamber for combustion with primary fuel and primary air.

Abstract: A process for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon fuel and steam and/or oxygen gas wherein at least part of any steam requirement is provided by heat exchange against exhaust gas from a gas turbine driving an air separation unit supplying at least part of any oxygen requirement for the synthesis gas production. The process is particularly applicable when the synthesis gas is used to prepare a synfuel by methanol synthesis or a Fischer-Tropsch process.

Abstract: A fast start-up catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate from hydrocarbon fuel includes a reactor having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within a reforming chamber in the reactor, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device within the reactor tube ignites a first lean mixture in combustion mode to generate exhaust gases to warm the catalyst which also warms the wall of the reactor adjacent the catalyst. The reactor then switches over to a rich fuel/air mixture during reforming mode. A jacket concentrically surrounds the reactor, defining a mixing chamber therebetween which communicates with the reforming chamber via openings in the wall of the reactor. Fuel entering the reformer in combustion mode is injected directly into the reforming chamber to provide rapid warming of the catalyst.

Abstract: A fuel gas-steam reformer assembly, preferably an autothermal reformer assembly, for use in a fuel cell power plant, includes a mixing station for intermixing a relatively high molecular weight fuel and an air-steam stream so as to form a homogeneous fuel-air-steam mixture for admission into 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 air-steam stream is fed into a manifold in the mixing station. The mixing station also comprises a plurality of tubes which open into the catalyst bed, and which pass through the manifold. The tubes extend through the manifold and include tangential openings which interconnect the interior of the tubes with the manifold. The openings have axes which are tangential to the circumference of each of the tubes.

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 interposed 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 sub-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 burner gas stream and the process gas stream flow in opposite directions through the assemblage. A varying heat transfer fin density population is disposed in the burner gas passage so as to control the peak burner wall temperatures encountered during operation of the assemblage. The burner wall peak temperature is preferably no greater than about 1,700° F.

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 interposed monolithic open cell sponge-like members which form gas passages. The monolithic members have a lattice of internal open cells which are both laterally and longitudinally interconnected so as to provide for a diffuse gas flow. The entire surface area of the monolithic components is wash coated with a porous alumina layer, and selected areas of the wash coat are also catalyzed. 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 subassembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages.