Patent ID: 7811529
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A hydrogen generator comprising: a hydrogen membrane reactor having a combustion chamber in a fluid connection with and in a heat exchange relationship with a reaction chamber, wherein the hydrogen membrane reactor comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, and a separation plate having first and second opposing surfaces, the top plate and the first surface of the separation plate together defining the reaction chamber, the bottom plate and the second surface of the separation plate together defining the combustion chamber, a hydrogen separation membrane having first and second opposing surfaces disposed between the top plate and the separation plate, the top plate and the first surface of the hydrogen separation membrane together defining a hydrogen exhaust zone and the separation plate and the second surface of the hydrogen separation membrane together defining a reaction zone; the combustion chamber comprises a plurality of combustion channels extending from the surface of the separation plate, the combustion channels creating a fluid path through the combustion chamber; the hydrogen exhaust zone comprises a plurality of hydrogen exhaust channels extending from the first surface of the hydrogen membrane, creating a fluid path through the hydrogen exhaust zone; and the reaction zone comprises a plurality of reaction channels extending from the second surface of the hydrogen membrane, creating a fluid path through the reaction zone; a fuel supply; a fuel supply line for transporting fuel from the fuel supply to the reaction chamber; an oxygen supply; an oxygen supply line for transporting oxygen from the oxygen supply to the combustion chamber; a tail gas supply line for transporting tail gases from the reaction chamber; a combustion by-product line for transporting combustion by-products from the combustion chamber; and a reaction product line for transporting hydrogen from the reaction chamber; and wherein the tail gas supply line makes a fluid connection between the reaction chamber and the combustion chamber.