Patent ID: 8128883
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: B01J,C01B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric reformer unit for hydrogen production from liquid or gaseous hydrogenous compounds comprising: a rigid reformer casing with a fuel entry side and a synthetic gas exit side, the reformer casing having at least one section; an inlet pipe for liquid or gaseous hydrogenous fuel that penetrates the rigid reformer casing through its entry side; a reformer core penetrated by the inlet pipe and containing a single electrode made of thermoelectric material in a circuit with an energy source, the electrode emitting high energy photons in visible light to ultraviolet or black light spectra and being submerged in the hydrogenous fuel, and wherein the thermoelectric material has an electrical conductivity greater than 500 S/cm and a thermal conductivity greater than 1 W/m-° K; an outlet pipe for hydrogen-rich synthetic gas formed by the dissociation of hydrogenous fuel that penetrates the exit side of the rigid reformer casing; and an unreformed fuel outlet pipe that penetrates the exit side of the reformer casing; and means for relieving pressure in the reformer core caused by synthetic gas formation.