The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 30, 1999
Robert E. Buxbaum, Oak Park, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A high temperature membrane reactor or gas purification apparatus includes a housing containing a gas heating chamber and a gas extraction component, preferably one or more tubular membranes. The preferred application is for extracting hydrogen from a mixed gas flow or for generating hydrogen, e.g., by reforming methanol, ethanol, or gasoline. A surrounding annulus provides heat exchange and insulation by circulating the mixed gas flow about the housing and then injecting the mixed gas flow into the housing for extraction or reaction. The apparatus further includes an outlet for releasing raffinate preferably including a flow controlling restriction. Heating is provided by conducting the raffinate from the gas extraction component to the heating chamber wherein reaction with a catalyst generates heat. These features, alone or in combination, provide better energy management, better flow management, and better safety than current designs. A spring-type support for the membrane is further described which increases the maximum useable operation pressure of the membranes to take better advantage of the membrane reactor and gas purification features.