Patent ID: 6413491
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A reformer that combines a steam reforming reaction, in which a hydrocarbon raw material is reformed into hydrogen using steam, with a partial oxidation reforming reaction, in which a hydrocarbon raw material is reformed into hydrogen using oxygen, in order to reform the hydrocarbon raw material and produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen, the reformer comprising:an outer wall defining an internal chamber in which the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction occur, the internal chamber having a central area located adjacent to a center of the internal chamber and an outer peripheral area located adjacent to an inner surface of the outer wall and located radially outward of the central area, the central area and the outer peripheral area are not radially separated by any fluid impermeable barriers, such that radial flow paths for fluids exist between the central area and the outer peripheral area; a hydrocarbon raw material supply means for supplying a hydrocarbon raw material into the internal chamber; a steam supply means for supplying steam into the internal chamber such that, due to passage of the steam along the radial flow paths, an amount of the steam increases in the internal chamber from the center of the internal chamber toward the inner surface of the outer wall of the internal chamber; and an oxygen supply means for supplying oxygen into the internal chamber such that, due to passage of the oxygen along the radial flow paths, an amount of the oxygen increases in the internal chamber from the inner surface of the outer wall of the internal chamber toward the center of the internal chamber, wherein the partial oxidation reforming reaction primarily occurs in the central area of the internal chamber and the steam reforming reaction primarily occurs in the outer peripheral area of the internal chamber.