Abstract:
A chemical reactor for catalytic reactions, comprises a substantially cylindrical shell (2) closed at the opposite ends by respective covers (3 and 4), at least one reaction zone (7, 8) in which a respective catalytic bed (9, 10) and a plurality of heat exchangers (25) placed in said at least one reaction zone (7, 8) are supported.
Abstract:
A composition is provided that can be used, for example, in a fuel processor for a fuel cell system. The composition includes a first material such as a catalyst, and a second material such as a desiccant. The second material is capable of sorbing and desorbing a heat transfer material such as water, and is present in an amount sufficient to sorb an amount of the heat transfer material sufficient to remove a portion of the heat generated when the first material undergoes an exothermic reaction.
Abstract:
A composition is provided that can be used, for example, in a fuel processor for a fuel cell system. The composition includes a first material such as a catalyst, and a second material such as a desiccant. The second material is capable of sorbing and desorbing a heat transfer material such as water, and is present in an amount sufficient to sorb an amount of the heat transfer material sufficient to remove a portion of the heat generated when the first material undergoes an exothermic reaction.
Abstract:
A reactor system, plant and a process for the production of methanol from synthesis gas is described in which the reactor system comprises: (a) a first reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having inlet means for supply of synthesis gas and outlet means for recovery of a first methanol-containing stream, said first reactor being charged with a first volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the synthesis gas flows and on which in use, partial conversion of the synthesis gas to a product gas mixture comprising methanol and un-reacted synthesis gas will occur adiabatically; and (b) a second reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having inlet means for supply of the gaseous first methanol-containing stream, outlet means for recovery of a second methanol-containing stream and cooling means, said second reactor being charged with a second volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the gaseous first methanol-containing stream flows and on which, in use, further conversion of the synthesis gas to a product gas mixture comprising methanol will occur.
Abstract:
A reactor system including a reactor housing having an inlet portion defined at one end of the housing and having a discharge opening formed in the housing at an opposite end. An air intake charge line is connected to the housing for charging air into the inlet portion. A steam charge line is connected to the housing for charging steam into the inlet portion. A fuel injector is positioned in the housing for injecting fuel into the stream of air and steam flowing through the housing. A fuel charge line is connected to the fuel injector for charging a carbon-based fuel into the injector. A catalyst bed is carried in the housing and positioned downstream of the fuel injector and at least a portion of the catalyst bed includes a catalyst for promoting the reformation of the carbon-based fuel to produce hydrogen. An auto-ignition and carbon-suppression foam is carried in the housing and positioned between the catalyst bed and the fuel injector.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally an apparatus for uniformly mixing gaseous flows at different temperatures. In particular, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactor including a plurality of superimposed catalytic beds wherein at least one of the beds is provided with a gas permeable wall for outlet of a hot gas flow. In this embodiment, a baffle extends below and parallel to the gas permeable wall, thereby defining an air space to collect the hot gas flow. An annular opening is provided for outlet of the hot gas flow from the air space defined between the baffle and a side wall supporting the beds associated with the reactor and a perforated distributor for cooling a gas flow supported below said baffle at a predetermined distance from the annular opening. Further, the air space which collects the hot gas flow has a constant thickness in correspondence with the annular opening and the ratio of the width of the annular opening to the thickness of the air space is between 0.2 and 1.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel, a supply of oxidant, and a supply of liquid water; atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant and steam; catalytically reacting the fuel-oxidant-steam mixture in a catalyst bed; initiating the catalytic reaction with an ignition source; positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalyst bed so as to convert the liquid water to steam; and feeding the steam into the catalytic reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a liquid fuel vaporizer. A preferred catalyst bed includes an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate.
Abstract:
A method for regenerating a reformer to which fuel (12, 14) and an oxidant (16, 18, 20) are continuously fed, the feed rate of the fuel (12, 14) being reduced for the purpose of regeneration as compared to the feed rate in the continuous operation. According to the invention, the feed rate of the fuel (12, 14 is reduced during a plurality of successive regeneration intervals as compared to the feed rate in the continuous (normal) operation. The feed rate of the fuel (12, 14) between the successive intervals is higher than during them. A corresponding reformer has temperature sensors for implementing control of the fuel feed.
Abstract:
A reformer system for generating a hydrogen-containing gas for a fuel cell system, especially in a motor vehicle, includes an evaporator arrangement (12) to be fed with hydrocarbon and mixed material for generating a hydrocarbon vapor/mixed material mixture, and a reformer arrangement (14) with reformer catalytic converter material (40, 42) for converting the hydrocarbon vapor/mixed material mixture to hydrogen-containing gas. The reformer arrangement (14) is surrounded by a mixed material flow space (22), through which at least a part of the mixed material to be introduced into the evaporator arrangement (12) can flow for the transmission of heat between the reformer arrangement (14) and the mixed material. An ignition arrangement (52) is assigned to the mixed material flow space (22) for igniting and burning the mixed material flowing through same in the mixed material flow space.
Abstract:
The system is provided with a fuel processor for generating hydrogen from a hydrocarbon compound or from mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds and a combustion path, along which the generated hydrogen is passed for combustion. Included in the combustion path is at least one fuel cell for generating electric energy. The system is further provided with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger which, on the one hand, are series included in the combustion path downstream of the fuel cell, a first heating circuit in which the fuel cell is included, and a second heating circuit in which the fuel processor is included. The first heat exchanger, on the other hand, is included in the first heating circuit. The second heat exchanger, on the other hand, is included in the second heating circuit.