Patent ID: 8083819
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: B01J,C01B,F16K,H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An automatic gas distribution system, comprising: a hydrogen-producing region configured to produce a hydrogen-containing reformate gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component; a heating assembly configured to combust a fuel stream to produce a heated exhaust stream to heat the hydrogen-producing region; a separation region configured to receive the reformate gas stream and to separate the reformate gas stream into at least a product hydrogen stream, which contains a greater concentration of hydrogen gas than the reformate stream, and a byproduct stream, which has a reduced concentration of hydrogen gas than the reformate gas stream; a first fluid conduit establishing fluid communication for the reformate gas stream between the hydrogen-producing region and the separation region; a second fluid conduit establishing fluid communication for the byproduct stream between the separation region and the heating assembly; and an automatic temperature-responsive valve assembly configured reversibly to alter a gas flow of at least one of the product hydrogen stream and the byproduct stream responsive to the temperature of the valve assembly.