Title: Plasma-catalyzed fuel reformer

Abstract

A reformer is disclosed that includes a plasma zone to receive a pre-heated mixture of reactants and ionize the reactants by applying an electrical potential thereto. A first thermally conductive surface surrounds the plasma zone and is configured to transfer heat from an external heat source into the plasma zone. The reformer further includes a reaction zone to chemically transform the ionized reactants into synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A second thermally conductive surface surrounds the reaction zone and is configured to transfer heat from the external heat source into the reaction zone. The first thermally conductive surface and second thermally conductive surface are both directly exposed to the external heat source. A corresponding method and system are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Inventors:

Hartvigsen, Joseph J.; Elangovan, S.; Czernichowski, Piotr; Hollist, Michele

Issue Date:

Tue Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013

Research Org.:

Ceramatec, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1084259

Patent Number(s):

8460409

Application Number:

12/537,953

Assignee:

Ceramatec, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

B01J19/088 - {giving rise to electric discharges
B01J2219/0809 - employing two or more electrodes
B01J2219/0813 - employing four electrodes
B01J2219/0835 - substantially flat
B01J2219/0869 - Feeding or evacuating the reactor
B01J2219/0871 - Heating or cooling of the reactor
B01J2219/0883 - Gas-gas
B01J2219/0892 - involving catalytically active material
B01J2219/0894 - Processes carried out in the presence of a plasma

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B2203/0216 - containing a non-catalytic steam reforming step
C01B2203/0233 - the reforming step being a steam reforming step
C01B2203/0283 - containing a CO-shift step, i.e. a water gas shift step
C01B2203/0445 - Selective methanation
C01B2203/062 - Hydrocarbon production, e.g. Fischer-Tropsch process
C01B2203/066 - with fuel cells
C01B2203/0811 - by combustion of fuel
C01B2203/0822 - the fuel containing hydrogen
C01B2203/0827 - at least part of the fuel being a recycle stream
C01B2203/0861 - by plasma
C01B2203/1041 - Composition of the catalyst
C01B2203/1241 - Natural gas or methane
C01B3/342 - {with the aid of electrical means, electromagnetic or mechanical vibrations, or particle radiations}
C01B3/384 - {the catalyst being continuously externally heated}
C01B3/48 - followed by reaction of water vapour with carbon monoxide

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M2250/405 - Cogeneration of heat or hot water
H01M8/0618 - {Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02B - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS

Y02B90/10 - Applications of fuel cells in buildings

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P20/10 - General improvement of production processes causing greenhouse gases [GHG] emissions
Y02P20/129 - Energy recovery

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG02-07ER84663

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION