Method and apparatus for converting hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:873282

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

An apparatus and a method are disclosed for converting hydrocarbon fuel or an alcohol into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. The apparatus includes a first vessel having a partial oxidation reaction zone and a separate steam reforming reaction zone that is distinct from the partial oxidation reaction zone. The first vessel has a first vessel inlet at the partial oxidation reaction zone and a first vessel outlet at the steam reforming zone. The reformer also includes a helical tube extending about the first vessel. The helical tube has a first end connected to an oxygen-containing source and a second end connected to the first vessel at the partial oxidation reaction zone. Oxygen gas from an oxygen-containing source can be directed through the helical tube to the first vessel. A second vessel having a second vessel inlet and second vessel outlet is annularly disposed about the first vessel. The helical tube is disposed between the first vessel and the second vessel and gases from the first vessel can be directed through second vessel.

• Research Organization: ARTHUR D LITTLE INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-92CE50343
• Assignee: Arthur D. Little, Inc. (Cambridge, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6126908
• OSTI ID: 873282
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
converting
hydrocarbon
fuel
hydrogen
gas
carbon
dioxide
disclosed
alcohol
vessel
partial
oxidation
reaction
zone
separate
steam
reforming
distinct
inlet
outlet
reformer
helical
tube
extending
connected
oxygen-containing
source
oxygen
directed
annularly
disposed
gases
annularly disposed
converting hydrocarbon
reforming zone
oxygen gas
partial oxidation
hydrocarbon fuel
hydrogen gas
carbon dioxide
reaction zone
steam reforming
tube extending
oxidation reaction
reforming reaction
/422/48/429/