Patent ID: 6348278
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: B01B,B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02B,Y02E,Y02P,Y02T

Abstract:
A method for producing hydrogen for use in a fuel cell system comprising:a) providing a reactor having an inlet and an outlet and a reforming reaction zone containing a reforming catalyst; b) feeding a hydrocarbon stream and water stream into the reforming reaction zone wherein the hydrocarbon stream and water stream are vaporized prior to or upon entering the reforming reaction zone of the reactor; c) reacting the vaporized hydrocarbon stream and water stream in the reforming reaction zone at a temperature of at least about 200Â° C. and a pressure of at least 100 kPa to produce a gaseous reformate stream containing hydrogen; d) directing the gaseous reformate stream into a hydrogen separating membrane to form a purified hydrogen stream and a retentate stream; e) forming a retentate recycle stream and an exhaust tail gas stream from the retentate stream in proportions to provide a retentate recycle ratio of about 1:20 to about 20:1; f) recycling the retentate recycle stream to the reforming reaction zone and directing the exhaust tail gas stream to a combustor; and h) oxidizing the exhaust tail gas stream in the combustor in the presence of oxygen to form a combustion gas stream and heat, and transferring at least a portion of the heat formed to the reforming reactionzone, the hydrocarbon stream, the water stream, or the retentate recycle stream, or combinations thereof.