Patent ID: 7318845
Filing Date: 2008-01-15
Classification: C01B,C10G

Abstract:
1. A compact and efficient fuel processor operating at pressures higher than one atmosphere and temperatures above 300° C. for reforming distillate hydrocarbon fuels containing sulfur to obtain high quality hydrogen product, comprising: a separation assembly for converting and separating a sulfur-containing distillate fuel feed into an aliphatics-rich and sulfur-depleted gas stream and an aromatics-rich and sulfur-rich liquid stream; a desulfurization assembly for receiving the aliphatics-rich and sulfur-depleted gas stream exiting the separation assembly and for removing hydrogen sulfide therefrom to output desulfurized gas; a combustion assembly for receiving said aromatics-rich and sulfur-rich liquid stream exiting the separation assembly and for combusting said liquid stream with air to yield process heat; and a reforming assembly in which process heat from the combustion assembly is used to generate steam and convert the desulfurized gas exiting the desulfurization assembly to a hydrogen-rich stream.