Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc.

William F Northrop

Lawrence G Clawson

Mark R Hagan

Jian L Zhao

Darryl Edward Pollica

Changsik Kim

Chunming Qi

Vincent Rizzo

Alexis Smith

Timothy Bosco

Chunming (Frank C) Qi

A startup burner for rapidly heating a catalyst in a reformer, as well as related methods and modules, is disclosed.

Startup burner

According to the present invention, a temperature profile within a preferential oxidation reactor is controlled using a two phase water/steam system to provide a temperature range within the reactor () which favors the selective oxidation of CO in a hydrogen rich reformate stream. The reformate is flowed in a mixture with oxygen over a preferential oxidation catalyst (). The temperature profile is controlled by flowing a stream of water proximate to the preferential oxidation catalyst () so as the stream of water and the reformate stream passing over the catalyst () are in a heat transfer arrangement. The stream of water is maintained as a two phase stream from a point at which the water reaches its boiling temperature to a point proximate an outlet from which the stream of water exits the reactor ().

Preferential oxidation reactor temperature regulation

A hydrocarbon fuel processing reactor for generating a hydrogen-enriched reformate from hydrocarbons is disclosed. A plurality of shells are arranged coaxially having a gap defined between each of the successive shells, thereby forming a plurality of coaxial zones. The shells are configured to permit heat transfer from one zone to another. Fluid streams for reactions within the reactor are preheated by heat transfer from adjacent zones.

Heat transfer optimization in multi shelled reformers

Devices for cooling and humidifying a reformate stream from a reforming reactor as well as related methods, modules and systems includes a heat exchanger and a sprayer. The heat exchanger has an inlet, an outlet, and a conduit between the inlet and the outlet. The heat exchanger is adapted to allow a flow of a first fluid (e.g. water) inside the conduit and to establish a heat exchange relationship between the first fluid and a second fluid (e.g. reformate from a reforming reactor) flowing outside the conduit. The sprayer is coupled to the outlet of the heat exchanger for spraying the first fluid exiting the heat exchanger into the second fluid.

Device for cooling and humidifying reformate

Perforated fins are provided to improve the capabilities of fin and tube type heat exchangers, and to adapt them for flow outside of the tube that is essentially parallel to the axis of the tube. The fins are made of a thermally conductive material, such as metal, with perforations in the fins. Fins can be of any shape. Typically, one or more tubes or binding posts pass through the fins. The fins are attached to the tube or post by press fitting, furnace or torch brazing, welding, or other method of mechanical bonding. The perforations allow heat exchange with the contents of a tube of a fluid flowing essentially parallel to the axis of the tube, in contrast to conventional fin-tube heat exchangers. The fins may also be bonded to a post or other securing means and inserted into the inside of a tube or other hollow body to improve efficiency of heat exchange. In addition, the fins may carry a catalyst, optionally carried on a washcoat or similar treatment to increase surface area.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

William F Northrop