Hydrogen autothermal reforming process
OwnerRobert John Sangerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for on-site hydrogen reforming is disclosed. The process includes providing a combined reformer heat exchanger component in which heated air, steam, and hydrocarbon fuel react to form process gas containing hydrogen, and the process gas is cooled via the heat exchanger. The combined components enable reductions in size, materials, costs, and heat loss. Additionally, as the heat exchanger side of the component operates at a cooler temperature, an uninsulated flange for access to the catalyst chamber can be used. A combined combustion heat exchanger component is also provided with similar advantages. Process gas is processed, and hydrogen gas is produced via a purification process.
Claims20
A hydrogen reforming process comprising the steps of:
- providing a combined reformer heat exchanger component having a first chamber adapted to enable a reforming reaction and a second chamber adapted to house a first heat exchanger,
- inputting fuel into said first chamber of said reformer heat exchanger component,
- inputting heated air and steam into said first chamber of said reformer heat exchanger component, wherein said air is heated external to said combined reformer heat exchanger component,
- enabling a reforming reaction to produce a process gas containing hydrogen in said first chamber of said reformer heat exchanger component,
- feeding said process gas into said second chamber of said reformer heat exchanger component,
- inputting liquid water into said first heat exchanger, wherein said water is heated and converted to steam within said first heat exchanger wherein the steam is used in said step of inputting heated air and steam into said first chamber of said reformer heat exchanger component,
- cooling said process gas in said second chamber of said reformer heat exchanger component and allowing said process gas to leave said reformer heat exchanger component at a heat exchanger exit,
- further cooling said process gas after it leaves said reformer heat exchanger component, and
- purifying said process gas and producing a hydrogen product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.