Abstract: A hydrogen preparing apparatus is disclosed which reforms a hydrocarbon and/or a hydrocarbon containing an oxygen atom to obtain a hydrogen-containing gas and separates hydrogen from this hydrogen-containing gas. The apparatus includes a porous substrate and a hydrogen separating film which is formed on a predetermined surface portion of the porous substrate and which selectively separates hydrogen, a reforming catalyst for reforming the hydrocarbon being supported in the pores of the porous substrate. A reforming catalyst for reforming the hydrocarbon is supported on a honeycomb carrier, and the hydrogen separating film is arranged on the downstream side of the honeycomb carrier. The surface area of the catalyst per unit volume of the apparatus can be increased, whereby the apparatus can be miniaturized. A hydrogen separating efficiency can also be improved. The hydrogen manufacturing apparatus can be prevented from being damaged by a difference of expansion between the porous substrate and the container.

Abstract: A system and method generates electricity and co-produces a hydrogen flow from coal. The electricity is generated by a turbine with a topping combustor and a solid oxide fuel cell ("SOFC") reacting syngas. The syngas is produced in a coal gasifier with a portion of the compressed air from the turbine, coal, and steam. Prior to the syngas being delivered to the topping combustor and the SOFC, it is cleaned and a portion of the hydrogen in the syngas is removed to form the hydrogen flow. Additionally, a vitiated air flow from the SOFC is directed to the topping combustor and another portion of the compressed air from the turbine directed to the SOFC after it is heated with the turbine exhaust. An aspect of the invention varies the amount of electricity generated and the volume of hydrogen co-produced based upon the demand of electricity and/or the demand of said hydrogen.

Abstract: A hydrogen preparing apparatus is disclosed which reforms a hydrocarbon and/or a hydrocarbon containing an oxygen atom to obtain a hydrogen-containing gas and separates hydrogen from this hydrogen-containing gas. The apparatus includes a porous substrate and a hydrogen separating film which is formed on a predetermined surface portion of the porous substrate and which selectively separates hydrogen, a reforming catalyst for reforming the hydrocarbon being supported in the pores of the porous substrate. A reforming catalyst for reforming the hydrocarbon is supported on a honeycomb carrier, and the hydrogen separating film is arranged on the downstream side of the honeycomb carrier. The surface area of the catalyst per unit volume of the apparatus can be increased, whereby the apparatus can be miniaturized. A hydrogen separating efficiency can also be improved. The hydrogen manufacturing apparatus can be prevented from being damaged by a difference of expansion between the porous substrate and the container.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated in a fluidized bed reactor by reacting gases namely steam and a hydrocarbon gas such as methane or natural gas in a fluidized bed of particulate catalytic material. The catalytic material is fluidized by injecting the mixture of the reacting gases at the bottom of the bed. Hydrogen generated within the bed is removed via a selectively permeable membrane that extends through the bed and through a freeboard area above the bed. The reaction is endothermic and therefore heat to maintain the bed at the desired temperature is added as required. Preferably a separator separates particulate catalytic material entrained in the gases in the freeboard area and delivers the particulate material separated from the gas back into the bed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for convertion of steam and hydrocarbon, or steam and coal, into a product gas which contains hydrogen. The conversion rate is augmented by effective extraction and removal of hydrogen as and when hydrogen is generated. Within a reaction vessel wherein the conversion takes place, a chamber for collection of hydrogen is formed by the provision of a hydrogen-permeable membrane. The chamber is provided with a hydrogen extraction means and houses a support structure, for example, in the form of a mesh providing structural support to the membrane. The membrane may be of a pleated or corrugated construction, so as to provide an enlarged surface for the membrane to facilitate hydrogen extraction. Also, to further facilitate hydrogen extraction, a hydrogen partial pressure differential is maintained across the membrane, such as, for example, by the counter pressure of an inert gas.

Abstract: An improved methanol synthesis process is provided wherein synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide is passed over a methanol synthesis catalyst, cooled to condense methanol and water in the reacted gas, the liquids separated, a purge gas stream removed while the remaining reacted gas is recycled to the synthesis catalyst, the purge gas separated by contacting the outer surfaces of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes selectively permeable to hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form a permeant gas depleted in hydrogen and carbon dioxide and a permeate gas enriched in said gases and the enriched permeate gas is combined with the synthesis gas. In an optional embodiment, methanol vapor is first recovered from the purge gas prior to contacting the selectively permeable membranes, preferably by a water scrub.

Abstract: Carbonaceous liquids boiling above about 300.degree. C such as tars, petroleum residuals, shale oils and coal-derived liquids are catalytically hydrotreated by introducing the carbonaceous liquid into a reaction zone at a temperature in the range of 300.degree. to 450.degree. C and a pressure in the range of 300 to 4000 psig for effecting contact between the carbonaceous liquid and a catalytic transition metal sulfide in the reaction zone as a layer on a hydrogen permeable transition metal substrate and then introducing hydrogen into the reaction zone by diffusing the hydrogen through the substrate to effect the hydrogenation of the carbonaceous liquid in the presence of the catalytic sulfide layer.

Abstract: A clean, cool stream of low BTU gas is heated and saturated with water vapor by means of a hot liquid stream containing water. Contamination of the gas stream by droplets, particulate matter and salt content of the liquid stream is obviated by maintaining separation between the gas and liquid phases by means of a microporous barrier. The barrier is made of a material selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic polymer material and hydrophilic polymer material having a gel structure.

Abstract: A high temperature reactor comprises a tube which defines a reactor chamber; means for introducing the inert fluid into the reactor tube to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the tube; means for introducing reactants into the chamber, the reactants being confined centrally within the chamber by the protective blanket; and, means for generating high intensity radiant energy which is directed into the chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the path of the reactants.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor for carrying out conjugate chemical reactions, comprising a body with a system of plates arranged in said body parallel to one another and having their edges built into said body, said plates being made of a material selectively permeable to a reactant common to the reactions to be conjugated and possessing catalytic activity with regard to the both reactions being conjugated.The said plates subdivide the inner space of the reactor body into a plurality of chambers intercommunicating in an alternate pattern through the intermediary of channels provided in the walls of the reactor body, so that two compartments are formed, each of these compartments serving for carrying out one of the two reactions being conjugated.

Abstract: A multi-stage reformed-gas generator(fuel converter) of the type having at least two reaction chambers, each of which containing a catalyst, with the two being connected in series in a flow direction, and means for supplying a gas acting as an oxygen carrier to the reaction chambers and means for supplying fuel gas through the chambers in the flow direction. The catalyst is arranged in the reaction chambers between gas permeable surfaces which separate the reaction chambers from each other and by means of which the gas serving as an oxygen carrier can be fed to the reaction chambers, in which the oxygen carrier gas and the fuel gas are contacted with each other substantially in perpendicular direction to their respective flows in the chamber.

Abstract: A high temperature reactor comprises a tube which defines a reactor chamber; means for introducing the inert fluid into the reactor tube to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the tube; means for introducing reactants into the chamber, the reactants being confined centrally within the chamber by the protective blanket; and, means, for generating high intensity radiant energy which is directed into the chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the path of the reactants.