Patent ID: 6758101
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: B01J,C01B,G01F,G05D

Abstract:
A flow metering system for use in controlling a reformation reaction in a hydrogen production system, said flow metering system comprising:a first flowmeter configured to measure a mass flow rate of a hydrocarbon feedstock from a hydrocarbon feedstock supply and to produce a hydrocarbon flow rate signal representing said mass flow rate of said hydrocarbon feedstock; a second flowmeter configured to measure a flow rate of steam from a steam supply and to produce a steam flow rate signal representing said flow rate of said steam; and a controller configured to receive said hydrocarbon flow rate signal and said steam flow rate signal, to receive an estimated carbon content factor, said estimated carbon content factor being based on at least one potential constituent of said hydrocarbon feedstock, to process said mass flow rate of said hydrocarbon feedstock and said estimated carbon content factor to determine an estimated carbon content of said hydrocarbon feedstock, to receive a carbon-to-steam ratio for said hydrogen production system, and to process said estimated carbon content of said hydrocarbon feedstock, said flow rate of said steam, and said carbon-to-steam ratio to control at least one of said flow rate of said steam and said flow rate of said hydrocarbon feedstock.