Patent EP-1795499-A2 (EP)
Inventor: EBERSPACH GUENTER DIPL-ING
IPC: C01B3/34
Filed: 2006-10-11
Abstract: The reformer arrangement for producing hydrogen from hydrocarbon/mixed material-mixture, comprises a mixture-formation-zone (5) exhibiting an inlet opening arrangement (6) for the hydrocarbon/the mixed material-mixture, a pipeline (10) that transfers a heated gas and/or steam, and a supply unit (11) to supply the fuel in the form of liquid hydrocarbon/hydrocarbon containing liquid into the pipeline. The inlet opening arrangement is connectable with the pipeline. The supply unit is arranged to the pipeline exterior to the mixture-formation zone. The reformer arrangement for producing hydrogen from hydrocarbon/mixed material-mixture, comprises a mixture-formation-zone (5) exhibiting an inlet opening arrangement (6) for the hydrocarbon/the mixed material-mixture, a pipeline (10) that transfers a heated gas and/or steam, and a supply unit (11) to supply the fuel in the form of liquid hydrocarbon/hydrocarbon containing liquid into the pipeline. The inlet opening arrangement is connectable with the pipeline. The supply unit is arranged to the pipeline exterior to the mixture-formation zone. The supply unit comprises an injecting- and/or an atomizing nozzle, an ultrasonic atomizer, single-phase atomizing nozzle, two-phase atomizing nozzle, a rotation atomizer, an electrostatic atomizer, a microwave atomizer, a fuel conveyance unit, a stop valve for fuel, a check valve for fuel, component-connecting lines, a metering pump and an evaporator arranged in the pipeline. The reformer arrangement further comprises an evaporator arrangement (2) for the production of hydrocarbon/the mixed material-mixture, comprising a hydrocarbon evaporation mechanism comprising a porous evaporation medium, a catalyst for decomposition of hydrocarbon/mixed material-mixture, arranged downstream to the mixture formation zone, and a glow ignition arrangement for igniting of hydrocarbon/mixed material-mixture, present in the mixture-formation zone. The zone comprises an inlet opening arrangement (9) for the mixed material in the form of air and/or water vapor, which is connectable with a first supply line for air and/or water vapor. A further inlet opening arrangement for fuel from a fuel supply, is arranged to the evaporator arrangement. The inlet opening arrangement for the hydrocarbon/mixed material-mixture is formed by the inlet opening arrangement for the mixed material. Between the inlet opening arrangement, the supply line and the pipeline, components for connection of the pipeline and the supply line with the inlet opening arrangement are arranged. The components or the supply line comprise a valve arrangement. The pipeline and the supply line are formed by a line. The supply unit is coupled with the fuel supply. A preheating mechanism is assigned to the pipeline and comprises heating source arranged exterior to the reformer arrangement. A heat transfer unit is intended and the preheating mechanism is formed by the heat transfer unit. The pipeline and/or air and/or water vapor-transferring pipeline and hydrocarbon/mixed material-mixture transferring pipe line, is/are connected to the mixture-formation zone via the heat transfer unit. The supply unit is arranged at the mixture-forming zone between the heat transfer unit and the inlet opening arrangement for hydrocarbon/mixed material-mixture. The pipeline is connected with or is formed of gas and/or steam-transferring pipelines of external systems or a fuel cell system connected with the reformer arrangement and/or a residual gas burner and/or the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. A flame arrestor is arranged downstream to the glow ignition arrangement and the catalyst is arranged downstream to the flame arrestor. An outlet arrangement for the reformate developed from the catalysis, is arranged downstream to the catalyst. The evaporator arrangement, the mixture-formation zone and the catalyst are arranged in a tubular element. Two hollow-cylindrical elements, which form first cavity and second cavity that houses the evaporator arrangement, mixture-forming zone and the catalyst, are connected with a fuel supply in the second cavity. A common connection for the supply line and the pipeline, is connected with the second cavity via the first cavity. The supply unit has second supply line, which is connected to the heated gas-transferring region in the first cavity. The first- and the second fuel supply are linked in each case jointly or separately with a fuel source via a changeover facility. Independent claims are included for: (1) system of functions from reformer arrangement and a fuel cell system; and (2) a procedure for the operation of the reformer arrangement.