Catalytic core reactor for thermochemical heat recovery

An apparatus comprising:

• an engine having an exhaust gas outlet;
• a reactor vessel having a heated exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication with said exhaust gas outlet, having a cooled exhaust gas outlet, and containing at least one bundle of reactor tubes having an exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication with said exhaust gas outlet and having a converted fuel outlet;
• and
• a monolithic fuel conversion catalyst structure disposed within at least a portion of said reactor tubes.

An automotive vehicle comprising:

• an internal combustion engine having a fuel input and an exhaust gas outlet;
• a reactor vessel having a heated exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication with said exhaust gas outlet, having a cooled exhaust gas outlet, and containing at least one bundle of reactor tubes having an exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication with said exhaust gas outlet and having a converted fuel outlet;
• and
• a monolithic fuel conversion catalyst structure disposed within at least a portion of said reactor tubes.

A method for thermochemically converting hydrocarbon and carbonaceous fuels to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating exhaust gases using one of an engine and a combustor;
• transporting a first portion of said exhaust gases to a fuel conversion reactor comprising a reactor vessel containing at least one reactor tube having an exhaust gas inlet, a convertible fuel inlet, and a converted fuel outlet, and a monolithic fuel conversion catalyst structure substantially centered within said at least one reactor tube and shaped to form at least one flow channel between said monolithic fuel conversion catalyst structure and an inside wall of said at least one reactor tube, said first portion of said exhaust gases contacting an outer surface of said at least one reactor tube;
• transporting a second portion of said exhaust gases through said exhaust gas inlet into said at least one reactor tube;
• introducing at least one of said hydrocarbon and carbonaceous fuel through said convertible fuel inlet into said at least one reactor tube;
• converting said at least one of said hydrocarbon and carbonaceous fuel in said at least one reactor tube to a converted fuel comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide;
• and
• removing said converted fuel from said at least one reactor tube through said converted fuel outlet.