Patent ID: 6123913
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
A method for synthesizing hydrogen gas from hydrocarbon fuel comprising the steps of:directing a first mixture of steam and a first hydrocarbon fuel into a first reactor tube to subject the first mixture to a steam reforming reaction in the presence of a first catalyst and thereby forming product gases;directing a second mixture of oxygen-containing gas and a second hydrocarbon fuel into a second reactor tube annularly disposed about the first reactor tube to subject the second mixture to a partial oxidation reaction and to provide heat energy for transfer to the first reactor tube;heating a stream of oxygen-containing gas by transferring heat energy from the product gases; and,directing a first reaction reformate from the first reactor tube and a second reaction reformate from the second reactor tube into a third reactor tube disposed about the second reactor tube to subject the first and second reaction reformates to a second steam reforming reaction, wherein heat energy is transferred to the third reactor tube from the second reactor tube.