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US 5,456,889 AGranted
Apparatus for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-containing gas mixture
AssigneeHer Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence
InventorsEric G. Pow, Mihai Talaba, Leonard McNeilly, David S. Watkins, Donald A. Lines
Life of this patent
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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 to water-shift reaction, which produces carbon monoxide and water from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
Claims24
An isothermal reactor comprising:
- (a) a fin block comprising:
- (1) an inner surface and an outer surface;
- (2) a plurality of heat transfer surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly from said inner surface;
- (3) at least one internal passageway for circulating a thermal fluid therethrough for supplying heat to or removing heat from said reactor;
- (b) a gas distribution plate comprising an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surface of said gas distribution plate positioned substantially perpendicular to and in contact with said heat transfer surfaces thereby forming a labyrinthine channel between said inner surface and said inside surface, said labyrinthine channel having catalyst pellets disposed therein and further having an inlet and an outlet, said gas distribution plate further comprising a plurality of gas distribution ports for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said labyrinthine channel and an inlet port in fluid communication with said inlet;
- (c) a first end plate adjacent to said outer surface;
- (d) a second end plate adjacent to said outside surface, said second end plate comprising a plurality of ports in fluid communication with said plurality of gas distribution ports and a reactant gas inlet in communication with said inlet port;
- (e) a containment shell interposed between said first end plate and said second end plate, said containment shell circumscribing said fin block and said gas distribution plate, said containment shell comprising a product gas outlet port, said product gas outlet port in fluid communication with said outlet;
- and
- (f) means for attaching said containment shell, said first end plate and said second end plate forming a pressure-tight assembly.
7 more elements
An isothermal reactor comprising:
- (a) a fin block comprising:
- (1) an inner surface and an outer surface;
- (2) a plurality of heat transfer surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly from said inner surface;
- (3) at least one internal passageway for circulating a thermal fluid therethrough for supplying heat to or removing heat from said reactor;
- (b) a gas distribution plate comprising an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surface of said gas distribution plate having a recess formed therein, said gas distribution plate further comprising a sheet of porous, gas permeable material adapted to be received into said recess, said recess with said sheet of porous, gas permeable material positioned substantially perpendicular to and in contact with said heat transfer surfaces thereby forming a labyrinthine channel between said inner surface and said inside surface, said labyrinthine channel having catalyst pellets disposed therein and further having an inlet and an outlet, said gas distribution plate further comprising at least one gas distribution port, said at least one gas distribution port in fluid communication with said sheet of porous, gas permeable material for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into at least a portion of said labyrinthine channel through said sheet of porous, gas permeable material and an inlet port in fluid communication with said inlet;
- (c) a first end plate adjacent to said outer surface;
- (d) a second end plate adjacent to said outside surface, said second end plate comprising at least one end plate port in fluid communication with said at least one gas distribution port and a reactant gas inlet in communication with said inlet port;
- (e) a containment shell interposed between said first end plate and said second end plate, said containment shell circumscribing said fin block and said gas distribution plate, said containment shell comprising a product gas outlet port, said product gas outlet port in fluid communication with said outlet;
- and
- (f) means for attaching said containment shell, said first end plate and said second end plate forming a pressure-tight assembly.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.