# US 7,410,515 B2 · Reformer, method for manufacturing the reformer, and power generation system

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- Number: US 7,410,515 B2
- Document ID: US7410515B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/648,857
- Filed: 2003-08-25
- Published: 2004-03-04
- Granted: 2008-08-12
- Earliest claimed: 2002-08-29
- Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Keishi Takeyama; Osamu Nakamura
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410515B2

## CPC

- C01B 3/384: with external heating of the catalyst
- B01J 19/0093: {Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors (laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027)}
- C01B 3/323: Catalytic reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds other than hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
- C01B 3/48: followed by reaction of water vapour with carbon monoxide
- C01B 3/583: {the reaction being the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide}
- H01M 8/0612: from carbon-containing material
- B01J 2219/00783: Laminate assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a stack of plates
- B01J 2219/00835: Comprising catalytically active material
- B01J 2219/00873: Heat exchange
- C01B 2203/00: Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
- C01B 2203/0233: the reforming step being a steam reforming step
- C01B 2203/0283: containing a CO-shift step, i.e. a water gas shift step
- C01B 2203/044: Selective oxidation of carbon monoxide
- C01B 2203/047: the impurity being carbon monoxide
- C01B 2203/066: with fuel cells
- C01B 2203/0811: by combustion of fuel
- C01B 2203/085: by electric heating
- C01B 2203/0866: by combination of different heating methods
- C01B 2203/1076: Copper or zinc-based catalysts
- C01B 2203/1082: Composition of support materials
- C01B 2203/1223: Methanol
- C01B 2203/1288: Evaporation of one or more of the different feed components
- C01B 2203/1619: Measuring the temperature
- C01B 2203/169: Controlling the feed
- C01B 2203/1695: Adjusting the feed of the combustion
- C01B 2203/82: Several process steps of C01B2203/02 - C01B2203/08 integrated into a single apparatus
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A reformer is provided which includes a micro reactor having a flow path for a fluid. A container accommodates the micro reactor and keeps an atmosphere on a periphery of the micro reactor at a pressure of not more than 1 Pa.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A reformer comprising:
a micro reactor comprising a flow path for a fluid;
a sealed container which accommodates the micro reactor and keeps an atmosphere on a periphery of the micro reactor at a pressure lower than external pressure;
an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe which are connected to the flow path of the micro reactor, and which extend outward from the container and are sealed to the container; and
adsorption means for adsorbing a medium which is present inside the container, the adsorption means being located apart from the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe and the micro reactor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, further comprising:
heating means for generating heat to heat the micro reactor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the reformer is manufactured by accommodating the micro reactor in the container under a heated atmosphere.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, further comprising:
heating means for heating the micro reactor for a reaction in the micro reactor and for heating an atmosphere in the container for exhausting the atmosphere when the micro reactor is accommodated in the container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the micro reactor comprises a reactor which changes the fluid from a liquid phase to a gas phase.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the micro reactor comprises a reforming reactor which produces hydrogen from the fluid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the micro reactor comprises a reforming reactor which reforms carbon monoxide in the fluid into carbon dioxide.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, further comprising temperature measurement means for measuring a temperature of the micro reactor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption means comprises a polyimide-based material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption means comprises a porous film.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption means comprises a surface coated with a material which physically adsorbs water or oxygen.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The reformer according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption means comprises a surface coated with a material which chemically adsorbs water or oxygen.