Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Chemical reactor – Including heat exchanger for reaction chamber or reactants...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-03
2001-07-03
Knode, Marian C. (Department: 1764)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Chemical reactor
Including heat exchanger for reaction chamber or reactants...
C422S198000, C422S198000, C422S198000, C422S211000, C423S650000, C423S651000, C423S652000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254839
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the development of synthesis gas for use in power generation and, in particular, to the processing of hydrocarbon fuel to produce hydrogen gas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel cells continue to play an increasingly important role in power generation for both stationary and transportation applications. A primary advantage of fuel cells is their highly efficient operation which, unlike today's heat engines, are not limited by Carnot cycle efficiency. Furthermore, fuel cells far surpass any known energy conversion device in their purity of operation. Fuel cells are chemical power sources in which electrical power is generated in a chemical reaction between a reducer (hydrogen) and an oxidizer (oxygen) which are fed to the cells at a rate proportional to the power load. Therefore, fuel cells need both oxygen and a source of hydrogen to function.
There are two issues which are contributing to the limited use of hydrogen gas today. Firstly, hydrogen gas (H
2
) has a low volumetric energy density compared to conventional hydrocarbons, meaning that an equivalent amount of energy stored as hydrogen will take up more volume than the same amount of energy stored as a conventional hydrocarbon. Secondly, there is presently no widespread hydrogen infrastructure which could support a large number of fuel cell power systems.
An attractive source of hydrogen to power fuel cells is contained in the molecular structure of various hydrocarbon and alcohol fuels. A reformer is a device that breaks down the molecules of a primary fuel to produce a hydrogen-rich gas stream capable of powering a fuel cell. Although the process for reforming hydrocarbon and alcohol fuels is established on a large industrial basis, no known analogous development has occurred for small-scale, highly integrated units.
Therefore, a need exists for a more compact apparatus for generating hydrogen gas from a variety of hydrocarbon fuel sources for use in a fuel cell to power a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reformer and method for converting an alcohol or hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide.
The reformer includes a first vessel having a partial oxidation reaction zone and a separate steam reforming reaction zone that is distinct from the partial oxidation reaction zone. The first vessel has a first vessel inlet at the partial oxidation reaction zone and a first vessel outlet at the steam reforming zone. The reformer also includes a helical tube extending about the first vessel. The helical tube has a first end connected to an oxygen-containing source and a second end connected to the first vessel at the partial oxidation reaction zone. Oxygen gas from an oxygen-containing source can be directed through the helical tube to the first vessel. A second vessel having a second vessel inlet and second vessel outlet is annularly disposed about the first vessel. The helical tube is disposed between the first vessel and the second vessel and gases from the first vessel can be directed through the second vessel.
The method includes directing oxygen-containing gas through a helical tube which is disposed around a first vessel. Hydrocarbon vapor and steam are directed into the helical tube to form a mixture of oxygen gas, fuel vapor and steam. The mixture of oxygen gas, fuel vapor and steam are directed into the first vessel. The fuel vapor partially oxidizes to form a heated reformate stream that includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. The remaining fuel vapor is steam reformed in the heated reformate stream to form hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. The heated reformate stream is directed over the exterior of the helical tube, whereby the heated reformate stream heats the mixture in the helical tube. A portion of the carbon monoxide gas of the reformate stream is converted to carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas by a high temperature shift reaction. At least a portion of the remaining carbon monoxide gas of the reformate stream is converted to carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas by a low temperature shift reaction.
In another embodiment of a reformer for converting a hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide, the apparatus includes a first tube which has a first tube inlet for receiving a first mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and a first fuel, which can be a hydrocarbon or an alcohol, and a first tube outlet for conducting a first reaction reformate of the first mixture. A second tube is annularly disposed about the first tube, wherein the second tube has a second tube inlet for receiving a second mixture of a second fuel, which can be a hydrocarbon or an alcohol, and steam. The second tube has a second tube outlet for conducting a second reaction reformate of the second mixture. A catalyst reforming zone is annularly disposed about the second tube. The first reaction reformate and the second reaction reformate can be directed through the first tube outlet and the second tube outlet, respectively, to the catalyst reforming zone for further reforming of the mixtures. In a preferred embodiment, a hydrocarbon fuel fractionator is attached at the first tube inlet and second tube inlet. The fractionator can separate a heavy portion from the hydrocarbon fuel for subsequent direction to a partial oxidation zone in the first tube. A light portion can be separated from the hydrocarbon fuel for subsequent direction to a steam reforming zone in the second tube.
In another embodiment of the method for converting a hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide, a first mixture of first hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel and oxygen-containing gas is directed into a first tube. The hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel in the first mixture spontaneously partially oxidizes to form a first heated reformate stream that includes hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. A second mixture of a second hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel and steam is directed into a second tube annularly disposed about the first tube. The second hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel of the second mixture partially steam reforms to form a second heated reformate stream that includes hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. The first heated reformate stream and second heated reformate stream are directed through a catalyst reforming zone to further reform the reformate streams to hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon fuel prior to direction into the first tube and the second tube is fractionated into heavy portion of the hydrocarbon fuel and a light portion of the hydrocarbon fuel. The heavy portion is subsequently directed to the partial oxidation zone. The light portion is directed to the steam reforming zone.
This invention has many advantages. The apparatus can use a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline, JP-8, methanol and ethanol. The partial oxidation reaction zone allows the fuel to partially burn while not forming soot and while providing heat to the steam reforming zone and the other portions of the reactor annularly disposed around the partial oxidation zone. Further, the apparatus is sufficiently compact for use in an automobile. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a high temperature shift catalyst which allows the apparatus to be more compact and lighter in weight than if only a low temperature shift catalyst is used.
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Bentley Jeffrey M.
Clawson Lawrence G.
Mitchell William L.
Thijssen Johannes H. J.
Arthur D. Little Inc.
Knode Marian C.
Varcoe Frederick
Wallenstein & Wagner Ltd.
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