US 2003/0118504 A1 · Method and apparatus for by-product removal in a hydrogen generation system

Abstract

A system and method for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) withdrawing the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor; (b) cooling the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from a portion of the by-product; (c) removing the precipitate from the chemical hydride solution; (d) heating the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, to dissolve the remaining precipitate; and (e) delivering the chemical hydride solution back to the reactor. The system is a circuit which includes: (a) a hydrogen reactor; (b) a pump for withdrawing the chemical hydride solution from the reactor and returning the chemical hydride solution to the reactor; (c) a cooling element for cooling the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature; (d) a separator for removing the precipitate from the chemical hydride solution; and (e) a heater for heating the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A method for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution, the by-product being produced in a reactor configured to contact the chemical hydride solution with a catalyst, the method comprising the steps of:

a) withdrawing at least a portion of the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor;
b) cooling the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from at least a portion of the by-product;
c) removing at least a portion of the precipitate from the portion of the chemical hydride solution;
d) heating the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, wherein a remaining portion of the precipitate is dissolved in the portion of the chemical hydride solution;
and
e) delivering the portion of the chemical hydride solution back to the reactor.

3 more elements

A system for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution, the system comprising a circuit including:

a) a reactor including a catalyst for catalyzing reaction of the chemical hydride solution to generate hydrogen;
b) a pump for withdrawing at least a portion of the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor and returning the portion of the chemical hydride solution to the reactor;
c) a cooling means for cooling the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from at least a portion of the by-product, the cooling means being located in the circuit downstream of the reactor;
d) a separating means for removing at least a portion of the precipitate from the portion of the chemical hydride solution, the separating means being located in the circuit downstream of the cooling means;
and
e) a heating means for heating the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, wherein a remaining portion of the precipitate is dissolved in the portion of the chemical hydride solution, the heating means being located in the circuit downstream from the separating means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for by-product removal in a hydrogen generation system

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for by-product removal in a hydrogen generation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34