Method And Apparatus For Converting Hydrocarbon Fuel Into Hydrogen Gas And Carbon Dioxide

Patent · Tue Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2000

OSTI ID:879559

Clawson, Lawrence G ^[1]; Mitchell, William L ^[2]; Bentley, Jeffrey M ^[3]; Thijssen, Johannes H. J. ^[4]

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1. Dover, MA
2. Belmont, MA
3. Westford, MA
4. Cambridge, MA

A method is disclosed for synthesizing hydrogen gas from hydrocarbon fuel. A first mixture of steam and a first fuel is directed into a first tube 208 to subject the first mixture to a first steam reforming reaction in the presence of a first catalyst 214. A stream of oxygen-containing gas is pre-heated by transferring heat energy from product gases. A second mixture of the pre-heated oxygen-containing gas and a second fuel is directed into a second tube 218 disposed about the first tube 208 to subject the second mixture to a partial oxidation reaction and to provide heat energy for transfer to the first tube 208. A first reaction reformate from the first tube 208 and a second reaction reformate from the second tube 218 are directed into a third tube 224 disposed about the second tube 218 to subject the first and second reaction reformates to a second steam reforming reaction, wherein heat energy is transferred to the third tube 224 from the second tube 218.

• Research Organization: ARTHUR D LITTLE INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-92CE50343
• Assignee: Arthur D. Little, Inc. (Cambridge, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6,123,913
• Application Number: 09/185325
• OSTI ID: 879559
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English