Fuel processing system with temperature-control fluid circuit
AssigneePrototech Company
InventorArild Vik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated reformer and combustion apparatus for use in a fuel cell system comprises at least one reformer plate (3) at which in use a reforming reaction can take place and at least one combustion plate (1) at which in use a combustion reaction can take place. The plates are arranged in a stack such that the reformer plates (3) and combustion plates (1) are interspersed. The apparatus is arranged such that in use a reforming reaction and a combustion reaction can take place simultaneously, the combustion reaction providing heat for the reforming reaction. A further fluid circuit (19, 29) may be provided in thermal communication with at least one of the reformer unit and the combustion unit so as to allow the temperature of that unit to be controlled.
Claims19
A method of preparing hydrogen from fuel and water using an integrated reformer and combustion apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- a reformer inlet to the apparatus, a reformate outlet from the apparatus, and a reformer unit in which a reforming reaction can take place, the apparatus defining a reforming-reaction flow path through the apparatus from the reformer inlet, through the reformer unit, to the reformate outlet;
- a combustible-fuel inlet to the apparatus, an exhaust outlet from the apparatus, and a combustion unit in thermal communication with the reformer unit, in which a combustion reaction can take place, the apparatus defining a combustion-reaction flow path through the apparatus from the combustible-fuel inlet, through the combustion unit, to the exhaust outlet;
- and
- a temperature-control fluid inlet to the apparatus, a temperature-control fluid outlet from the apparatus, and a temperature-control fluid circuit from the temperature-control fluid inlet to the temperature-control fluid outlet, wherein the temperature-control fluid circuit is separate from the reforming-reaction and combustion-reaction flow paths, and is in thermal communication with at least one of said reformer unit and said combustion unit so as to allow the temperature of said unit to be controlled,
- said method comprising:
- passing a reformer feedstock comprising fuel and water through the reformer unit such that a reforming reaction takes place to produce a reformer product stream comprising hydrogen, and simultaneously passing a combustible feedstock through the combustion unit such that combustion takes place to produce a combustion product stream, wherein the combustion provides heat for the reforming reaction, and controlling temperature by circulating a fluid through the temperature-control fluid circuit;
- said method further comprising the step of circulating a fluid through the temperature-control fluid circuit, said fluid having a temperature between 150 and 250° C.;
- wherein the fuel for the reforming reaction comprises methanol and said fluid comprises oil.
A method of preparing hydrogen from fuel and water using an integrated reformer and combustion apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- a reformer inlet to the apparatus, a reformate outlet from the apparatus, and a reformer unit in which a reforming reaction can take place, the apparatus defining a reforming-reaction flow path through the apparatus from the reformer inlet, through the reformer unit, to the reformate outlet;
- a combustible-fuel inlet to the apparatus, an exhaust outlet from the apparatus, and a combustion unit in thermal communication with the reformer unit, in which a combustion reaction can take place, the apparatus defining a combustion-reaction flow path through the apparatus from the combustible-fuel inlet, through the combustion unit, to the exhaust outlet;
- and
- a temperature-control fluid inlet to the apparatus, a temperature-control fluid outlet from the apparatus, and a temperature-control fluid circuit from the temperature-control fluid inlet to the temperature-control fluid outlet, wherein the temperature-control fluid circuit is separate from the reforming-reaction and combustion-reaction flow paths, and is in thermal communication with at least one of said reformer unit and said combustion unit so as to allow the temperature of said unit to be controlled,
- said method comprising:
- passing a reformer feedstock comprising fuel and water through the reformer unit such that a reforming reaction takes place to produce a reformer product stream comprising hydrogen, and simultaneously passing a combustible feedstock through the combustion unit such that combustion takes place to produce a combustion product stream, wherein the combustion provides heat for the reforming reaction, and controlling temperature by circulating a fluid through the temperature-control fluid circuit;
- said method further comprising the step of circulating a fluid through the temperature-control fluid circuit, said fluid having a temperature between 500° C. to 700° C.;
- wherein the fuel for the reforming reaction comprises at least one of methane, natural gas or diesel and said fluid comprises potassium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.