Method and apparatus for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-containing gas mixture
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsEric G. Pow, Mihai Talaba, Leonard McNeilly, David S. Watkins, Donald A. Lines
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selectively oxidizing the carbon monoxide present in a mixture of gases, including hydrogen, to carbon dioxide is disclosed. Oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture is introduced at locations along the latter portion of the reaction chamber in an isothermal reactor to selectively oxidize the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and to suppress the reverse water-shift reaction, which produces carbon monoxide and water from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
Claims8
A method for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, said carbon monoxide being present in a gaseous mixture, said method comprising the steps of:
- introducing a first amount of oxygen-containing gas into a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide;
- contacting said gaseous mixture with a catalyst in a reaction chamber having a first inlet and an outlet, said catalyst promoting oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide;
- and
- introducing a further amount of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture into said reaction chamber through at least one secondary inlet located between said first inlet and said outlet.
A method for counteracting the reverse water-shift reaction in a chemical reactor for oxidizing carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, said carbon monoxide being present in a gaseous mixture, said reverse water-shift reaction converting carbon dioxide and hydrogen to water and carbon monoxide, said method comprising:
- providing a reaction chamber having a first inlet and an outlet and containing a catalyst for promoting the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide;
- introducing a first amount of oxygen-containing gas into a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide;
- introducing said gaseous mixture into said reaction chamber;
- and
- introducing a further amount of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture into said reaction chamber through at least one secondary inlet located between said first inlet and said outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.