Patent ID: 7537623
Filing Date: 2009-05-26
Classification: B01J,C01B,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. Device for producing a hydrogen-rich gas that is used in a fuel cell, having a primary circuit comprising an inlet port for receiving said hydrogen rich-gas and an outlet port for extracting a mixture of gas residues non used by said cell, said device comprising: at least, one reactor of thermal pyrolysis of hydrocarbons having a pyrolysis chamber connected to a first fuel supply circuit and to said inlet port of the fuel cell by an exhaust circuit, at least, one burner sealingly enclosed inside, said pyrolysis chamber, and having a combustion chamber surrounded by said pyrolysis chamber connected to a second fuel supply circuit, to an air supply circuit, and to an escape circuit, said second fuel supply circuit being connected to said outlet port, said device further comprising means for achieving the two following operating modes: a hydrogen generating mode wherein the combustion chamber is fed with fuel providing from said second fuel supply circuit, air providing from said air supply circuit and said mixture of gas residues and said pyrolysis chamber is fed with fuel providing from said first fuel supply circuit, a regenerating mode wherein the pyrolysis chamber is fed with air providing from an air duct so as to obtain a combustion of solid carbon generated in the hydrogen generating mode and the combustion chamber is fed with fuel providing from said second fuel supply circuit with air providing from said air supply circuit and with a gas mixture providing from the combustion of solid carbon particles in the pyrolysis chamber.