Abstract:
A fuel processing system is provided wherein heat is transferred from a reformate flow (32) downstream from a water-gas shift (38) to both a) a combustor feed flow (40) that is supplied to a combustor (25); and b) a water flow (26) that is supplied to a reformer feed mix (34) for a steam reformer (28).
Abstract:
A recuperative heat exchanger (36) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20), the heat exchanger (36) transferring heat from a fluid flow (34) at one stage of a fuel processing operation to the fluid flow (32) at another stage of the fuel processing operation. The heat exchanger (36) includes a housing (56) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (70) located in the first passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough; and a second convoluted fin (72) located in the second passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough.
Abstract:
A combustor preheater (94) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) to preheat a combustor feed (40) by transferring heat from a post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) to the combustor feed (40). The combustor preheater (94) includes a housing (92) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (96) located in the first passage to direct the post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) therethrough and a second convoluted fin (98) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough.
Abstract:
An integrated steam reformer/combustor assembly (42) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) that supplies a steam/fuel feed mix (34) to be reformed in the assembly and a combustor feed (40) to be combusted in the assembly (42). The assembly (42) includes a housing (44,58) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (46) located in the first passage to direct the feed mix therethrough, the first convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the feed mix; and a second convoluted fin (50) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough, the second convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the combustor feed.