Compact fuel processor
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorsRobert E. Childress, John R. Farrell, Wendell B. Leimbach, James W. Marshall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for carrying out a multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of reaction zones arranged in an insulated, box-shaped, compact fuel processor. The multi-step process includes preheating the hydrocarbon fuel utilizing integration with the inherent exothermic processes utilized with the fuel processor, reacting the preheated hydrocarbon fuel to form the hydrogen rich gas, and purifying the hydrogen rich gas to produce a gas that is suitable for consumption in a fuel cell.
Claims10
An apparatus for converting hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen rich gas, comprising:
- a container having a top, bottom and substantially vertical sides, wherein the top comprises a manifold;
- a plurality of connected process units positioned in a spiraling geometry within the container;
- a ceramic casting that fills the void space inside the container, wherein the plurality of connected process units form a channel through the ceramic castings;
- wherein the plurality of connected process units comprises
- an autothermal or steam reforming catalyst bed;
- a first heat exchanger positioned adjacent to the autothermal reforming catalyst bed;
- a desulfurization agent bed positioned adjacent to the first heat exchanger;
- a second heat exchanger positioned adjacent to the desulfurization agent bed;
- a water gas shift catalyst bed positioned adjacent to the second heat exchanger;
- a third heat exchanger positioned adjacent to the water gas shift catalyst bed;
- and
- a carbon monoxide oxidation catalyst bed positioned adjacent to the third heat exchanger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.