Patent ID: 7101175
Filing Date: 2006-09-05
Classification: C01B,F23C,F23D,F23L,H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for pre-heating a reactant and generating steam for use in a fuel reformer, the method comprising the steps of: combusting a gaseous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas in a combustion catalyst bed to generate heated combustion products; optionally, pre-heating the fuel and/or oxygen containing gas prior to the combustion; optionally, mixing the fuel and oxygen containing gas prior to the combustion; exchanging heat between the heated combustion products and a reformer reactant across a heat exchange surface disposed in the combustion catalyst bed to generate a heated reformer reactant; and exchanging heat between the heated combustion products and liquid water across a heat exchange surface disposed in the combustion catalyst bed to generate steam.