Abstract:
A coolant subsystem for use in a fuel processor and a method for its operation are disclosed. In accordance with a first aspect, the coolant subsystem is separate from the feed to the processor reactor and is capable of circulating a coolant through the processor reactor. In accordance with a second aspect, the constituent elements of the fuel processor are housed in a cabinet, and the coolant subsystem is capable of cooling both the processor reactor and the interior of the cabinet. In various alternatives, the fuel processor can be employed to reform a fuel for a fuel cell power plant and/or may be used to provide thermal control for unrelated mechanical systems.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method to create a substantially pure hydrogen product stream before any subsequent purification steps. The apparatus provides a generally enclosed reaction vessel so as to reduce any extraneous exhaust materials from escaping. In addition, the apparatus includes a primary and a secondary reaction chamber which are generally held at equivalent or equal pressures while at substantially different temperatures. In addition, a reaction aid or cooperator is used to increase the production of the hydrogen product stream and to also increase the purity of the hydrogen product stream. The method includes using a two chamber apparatus along with the reaction cooperator to increase the hydrogen production and purity and recycling the reaction cooperator.
Abstract:
An elongate reaction vessel includes at least two stages in the vertical direction in which an endothermic or exothermic catalytic reaction is carried out and comprises: A catalytic reaction zone (12a, 12b) per stage (6, 7); Introducing (2) a reaction fluid to a stage adapted for transverse motion of the fluid across the whole vertical extent of the reaction zone; introducing and extracting the catalyst; a heat exchanger (5a) for reaction fluids located inside the vessel between two successive reaction zones; means (6) for transporting reaction fluids from one stage to another preferably connected to the exchanger of the stage under consideration and to the inlet for reaction fluids of the subsequent stage; means for recovering reaction fluids downstream of the last stage. The temperature variation in each zone and the temperature level are respectively adjusted by the thickness of each zone and by heat exchange.
Abstract:
A multi-stage preferential oxidation reactor for removing carbon-monoxide from a product-gas comprises at least one preferential oxidation reactor stage having a product-gas stream inlet end and a product-gas stream outlet end. A first inlet is provided to introduce the product-gas stream into the preferential oxidation reactor stage, and is located at the product-gas stream inlet end of the preferential oxidation reactor stage. The first inlet is configured with a pulsator for pulsing the flow of the product-gas stream into the preferential oxidation reactor stage. A second inlet is also provided to introduce an oxidant into the preferential oxidation reactor stage. The second inlet is located at the product-gas stream inlet end of the oxidizer preferential oxidation reactor stage. An outlet is provided for removal of the treated product-gas stream from the preferential oxidation reactor stage.
Abstract:
A process wherein a liquid influent stream containing such an amount of a reactant that decomposition thereof to a desired concentration evolves, at the prevailing pressure and temperature, at least 0.5 volumes of gas per volume of the influent stream, is continuously passed through a volume of a particulate catalyst that is sufficient to decompose said reactant to said desired concentration and the evolved gas rises to the surface of said liquid and disengages therefrom into a gas space above said liquid, thereby providing an effluent stream having said desired concentration of said reactant. In order that back mixing of the effluent stream with said influent stream is avoided, the catalyst is disposed in a plurality of serially connected reaction volumes, each of which has a liquid surface from which evolved gas can disengage into the gas space, and the extent of reaction in each of said reaction volumes is limited by providing that the depth of catalyst in each reaction volume is such that the rate at which gas disengages from the liquid surface of each reaction volume is less than 0.05 m.sup.3.s.sup.-1 per m.sup.2 of the liquid surface of that reaction volume.
Abstract:
Processes for carrying out catalytic exothermic and endothermic high-pressure gas reactions with a single-walled pressure vessel or shell containing cross-flow (e.g., radial flow) heat transfer exchangers, a continuous catalytic bed having at least two stages, and means for effecting "cross-over" material flows from "outside" to "inside" (for exothermic reactions) and vice versa (for endothermic reactions), whereby conditions of: maximum gas temperature always being in the core of said vessel or shell, minimal pressure drop, and minimal compression of catalyst particles are achieved, along with significant economic savings in cost of the pressure vessel or shell and catalyst (through extension of catalyst life).
Abstract:
IN A CYLINDRICAL HIGH PRESSURE REACTOR, FOR INSTANCE FOR AMMONIA SYNTHESIS, A SYSTEM OF CONCENTRIC FRESH GAS COOLING TUBES ARRANGED WITH A SURFACE DECREASING TOWARDS THE BOTTOM, WHICH EXTENDS THROUGH THE ENTIRE CATALYZER SPACE IN AN AXIAL PLANE ACCORDING TO HEIGHT AND BREADTH. BAFFLE PLATES ARE ARRANGED HORIZONTALLY IN THE CATALYZER COLUMN WITH ALTERNATING PERIPHERAL RECESSES TO GUIDE THE STREAM
OF REACTION GAS IN A VARIABLE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION TRANSVERSELY THROUGH THE COOLING TUBE SYSTEM.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for producing ultra-high-molecular-weight (UHMW) poly-alpha-olefins (PAO) for use as pipeline drag reducing agents, having improved thermal efficiency and reduced branching of the PAO. The system comprises hinged pairs of shells, each pair of shells comprising a grid of larger hemispherical voids connected by smaller hemicylindrical passages, arranged in a serpentine pattern along the surface area of the shell. When the hinged pairs of shells are shut, they form a pattern of spherical voids which can be connected to an inlet port, which receives a combination of alpha-olefin monomer feedstock and a titanium trichloride catalyst. A reactor chamber houses a plurality of these hinged pairs of shells, which may slide into slots inside the reactor chamber spaced such that each adjacent hinged pair of shells abuts the outer surface of the next when shut and inserted. The reactor chamber is cooled by an inert gas.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for producing ultra-high-molecular-weight (UHMW) poly-alpha-olefins (PAO) for use as pipeline drag reducing agents, having improved thermal efficiency and reduced branching of the PAO. The system comprises hinged pairs of shells, each pair of shells comprising a grid of larger hemispherical voids connected by smaller hemicylindrical passages, arranged in a serpentine pattern along the surface area of the shell. When the hinged pairs of shells are shut, they form a pattern of spherical voids which can be connected to an inlet port, which receives a combination of alpha-olefin monomer feedstock and a titanium trichloride catalyst. A reactor chamber houses a plurality of these hinged pairs of shells, which may slide into slots inside the reactor chamber spaced such that each adjacent hinged pair of shells abuts the outer surface of the next when shut and inserted. The reactor chamber is cooled by an inert gas.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a combined reformer capable of continuously performing different reforming reactions by sequentially supplying heat from the combustion gas to the two or more catalyst tubes that react at different temperatures. Also, the present disclosure provides a combined reformer capable of enhancing the reforming efficiency with a U-shaped first catalyst tube including a preheating section where the hydrocarbon gas is preheated, flowing parallel to the combustion gas, and a reforming section where the catalytic reforming takes place.