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Title: Regenerable method and system for desulfurizing reformate

Abstract

A system for removing sulfur from a continuous reformate stream feeding a fuel cell stack. First and second sulfur traps are disposed in parallel between a hydrocarbon reformer and the fuel cell stack. The ends of the sulfur traps are connected to conventional four-way valves such that either trap may be selected for trapping sulfur from the reformate stream, while the other trap is undergoing regeneration by backflushing the accumulated adsorbed sulfur deposits. Thus, the sulfur traps may be used and stripped alternately, permitting continuous supply of desulfurized reformate to the fuel cell assembly. In a currently preferred embodiment, the hot cathode air exhaust is used to assist in stripping the out-of-service trap. In an alternative embodiment, two reformers are provided and the reformers are alternately regenerated along with their respective traps.

Inventors:
;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1531679
Patent Number(s):
7931707
Application Number:
11/110,043
Assignee:
Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Troy, MI)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY
DOE Contract Number:  
FC26-02NT41246
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2005-04-20
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Grieve, Malcolm James, and Weissman, Jeffrey G. Regenerable method and system for desulfurizing reformate. United States: N. p., 2011. Web.
Grieve, Malcolm James, & Weissman, Jeffrey G. Regenerable method and system for desulfurizing reformate. United States.
Grieve, Malcolm James, and Weissman, Jeffrey G. Tue . "Regenerable method and system for desulfurizing reformate". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1531679.
@article{osti_1531679,
title = {Regenerable method and system for desulfurizing reformate},
author = {Grieve, Malcolm James and Weissman, Jeffrey G.},
abstractNote = {A system for removing sulfur from a continuous reformate stream feeding a fuel cell stack. First and second sulfur traps are disposed in parallel between a hydrocarbon reformer and the fuel cell stack. The ends of the sulfur traps are connected to conventional four-way valves such that either trap may be selected for trapping sulfur from the reformate stream, while the other trap is undergoing regeneration by backflushing the accumulated adsorbed sulfur deposits. Thus, the sulfur traps may be used and stripped alternately, permitting continuous supply of desulfurized reformate to the fuel cell assembly. In a currently preferred embodiment, the hot cathode air exhaust is used to assist in stripping the out-of-service trap. In an alternative embodiment, two reformers are provided and the reformers are alternately regenerated along with their respective traps.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2011},
month = {4}
}