Autothermic Reformer

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The invention describes an autothermal reformer, a device designed to efficiently generate hydrogen-rich gases for fuel cells. It combines a reformer unit and a burner unit, both utilizing catalytic reactions for hydrogen production and exhaust gas cleaning. The system cleverly uses the heat from both the reformer and burner exhausts to vaporize water, which is then used in the process, minimizing the need for external heat sources. This integration increases efficiency and allows for nearly self-sufficient operation.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Hydrogen production for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells in stationary or mobile power applications
• Supplying hydrogen to fuel cells in vehicles, such as buses, trucks, or cars
• On-site hydrogen generation for industrial processes requiring a clean energy source
• Portable or backup power systems based on fuel cell technology
• Small-scale hydrogen production plants for laboratories or educational settings

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Efficient thermal integration reduces or eliminates the need for external heat sources, saving energy and operational costs
• Produces hydrogen-rich gas suitable for sensitive PEM fuel cells
• Reduces pollutant emissions through catalytic post-combustion of exhaust gases
• Enables compact and integrated design for mobile or decentralized hydrogen production
• Improves safety and reliability by minimizing external heat input and recovering waste heat

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a product gas which is rich in hydrogen, comprising a reformer part which comprises an inlet for a fuel/oxidation agent mixture, an inlet for a water/carrier gas mixture, a catalytic surface and a first heat exchanger. Said device also comprises a combustion part which comprises an inlet for an anode residual gas from a fuel cell, an inlet for an oxidation agent, a catalytic surface and a second and a third heat exchanger. The reformer part and the combustion part are connected via lines which are used to guide a water vapour/carrier gas mixture and for directing the reformat. According to the inventive method for producing a product gas which is rich in hydrogen, a first mixing chamber guides a water vapour/carrier gas mixture via a line and a fuel/oxidation agent mixture via a nozzle. The fuel/water vapour/oxidation agent/carrier gas mixture is catalytically converted into a product gas which is rich in hydrogen in exothermic and endothermic reactions. The anode residual gas from the fuel cell is catalytically converted in exothermic reactions into waste gas having few harmful substances. The heat required for evaporating water into water vapour in the water vapour/carrier gas mixture is partially produced by cooling the product gas which is rich in hydrogen and partially by cooling the waste gas of the combustion which contains few harmful substances.