Patent ID: 6495113
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for reducing carbon monoxide concentration in a carbon monoxide reducing apparatus, comprising the steps of:introducing a hydrogen-rich gas containing carbon monoxide into a reaction chamber containing a first catalyst and a second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst selectively facilitates oxidation of carbon monoxide; reducing a carbon monoxide concentration in a hydrogen-rich gas by oxidizing carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-rich gas by using the first catalyst; discharging the hydrogen-rich gas in which the carbon monoxide concentration has been reduced, from the reaction chamber; and raising a temperature of the reaction chamber to or above a predetermined temperature at least from when the apparatus is started until the first catalyst has reached its active temperature, wherein the first catalyst (i) has an active temperature that is higher than the active temperature of the second catalyst and (ii) becomes active at a lowest temperature that is above the normal room temperature and the temperature of the reaction chamber is raised using a means for raising the temperature, including the second catalyst having an active temperature at normal room temperature.