Electrocatalytic reformer for synthesis gas production
OwnerKarl H. Kluginventor
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and devices for the chemical reaction of liquid, vapor or gaseous hydrocarbons with either water or water vapor and either air or oxygen, to produce a hydrogen-rich synthesized gas for use in fuel cells. In the process, the chemical reaction of the reactants takes place on the catalytically coated surface of a material that is electrically conductive, and as a consequence of the feeding an electrical voltage, directly heatable and consequently temperature-controllable.
Claims22
An apparatus for the chemical conversion of a hydrocarbon with at least water, to produce a hydrogen-rich synthesized gas for use in fuel cells, the apparatus including a component formed of an electrically conductive material and having a catalytically coated surface, whereby, in use, the component can be electrically heated, to promote endothermic reactions catalyzed by the catalytically coated surface.
A method of chemically converting a hydrocarbon to generate a hydrogen-rich synthesized gas, the method comprising:
- (a) Providing the hydrocarbon as one of a liquid, vapor and gas;
- (b) Supplying water to at least one of the liquid and vapor state;
- (c) Supplying the hydrocarbon and the water to an apparatus including at least one electrocatalytic reformer element having a component with a catalytically coated surface, whereby the hydrocarbon and the water are exposed to the catalytically coated surface;
- (d) Passing electric current through the component, to heat the component and to provide heat for endothermic reaction of the hydrocarbon and the water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.