Abstract:
Integrated gaseous fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer (401) and fuel cell (467) systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units (408), each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone (409), the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The gaseous fuel CPOX reformer also can include one or more igniters (435), and a source of gaseous reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the gaseous fuel CPOX reformer.
Abstract:
A multi-tubular chemical reactor (400) includes an igniter (435) for the initiation of gas phase exothermic reaction within the gas phase reaction zones (409) of the tubular reactor units (408). A method of carrying out a gas phase exothermic reaction within the multi-tubular chemical reactor comprising: introducing gaseous reactants into a tubular reactor unit (408); initiating with radiant heat an exothermic reaction of the gaseous reactants within the reactor unit; and transferring heat produced by the exothermic reaction occurring within the gas phase reaction zone of the reactor unit to the gas phase reaction zone of one or more adjacent reactor units (408), thereby initiating an exothermic reaction within at least one adjacent reactor unit (408) until in such manner an exothermic reaction has been initiated in each of the plurality of spaced-apart reactor units (408).
Abstract:
A chemical reactor (e.g. reformer reactor) system includes a manifold (126) for management of a flow of gaseous reaction medium thereto. Manifold (126) includes manifold housing (128) defining manifold chamber (129) and having at least one additional component selected from: a gas distributor (127); a heater; and a cavity having a seal within or adjacent to it.
Abstract:
Integrated liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer (401) and fuel cell systems (467) can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units (408), each reactor unit (408) including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone (409), the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer also can include a vaporizer (415), one or more igniters (435), and a source of liquid reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the liquid fuel CPOX reactor unit.
Abstract:
A liquid fuel reformer includes a fuel vaporizer which utilizes heat from an upstream source of heat, specifically, an electric heater, operable in the start-up mode of the reformer, and therefore independent of the reforming reaction zone of the reformer, to vaporize fuel in a downstream vaporization zone.
Abstract:
A gaseous fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units (408), each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone (409), the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen- rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. At least the exterior surface of a CPOX reaction zone of a CPOX reactor unit can include a hydrogen barrier. The gaseous fuel CPOX reformer also can include one or more igniters, and a source of gaseous reformable fuel.
Abstract:
[0078] A reformer includes at least one reformer reactor unit (300) having a space-confining wall with external (307) and internal surfaces (306), at least a section of the wall and space confined thereby defining a reforming reaction zone (311), an inlet end (301) and associated inlet (302) for admission of flow of gaseous reforming reactant to the reforming reaction zone (311), an outlet end (303) and associated outlet (304) for outflow of hydrogen-rich reformate produced in the reforming reaction zone (311), at least that section of the wall (305) corresponding to the reforming reaction zone comprising perovskite as a structural component thereof, such wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous reforming reactant to diffuse therein and hydrogen-rich reformate to diffuse therefrom.
Abstract:
Integrated liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer (401) and fuel cell systems (467) can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units (408), each reactor unit (408) including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone (409), the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer also can include a vaporizer (415), one or more igniters (435), and a source of liquid reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the liquid fuel CPOX reactor unit.
Abstract:
A dual utilization liquid and gaseous fuel CPOX reformer that includes reaction zones for the CPOX reforming of liquid and gaseous reformable fuels. A reforming method is also provided. The method comprises reforming a first gaseous reformable reaction mixture comprising oxygen-containing gas and vaporized liquid fuel and before or after this step, reforming second gaseous reformable reaction mixture comprising oxygen~containing gas and gaseous fuel to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate.
Abstract:
Integrated gaseous fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer (401) and fuel cell (467) systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units (408), each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone (409), the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The gaseous fuel CPOX reformer also can include one or more igniters (435), and a source of gaseous reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the gaseous fuel CPOX reformer.