Patent ID: 7367996

Claim:
A reactor for generating a hydrogen-rich reformate from hydrocarbons, comprising: a core reaction zone having an outer wall, the core reaction zone configured to conduct at least one exothermic reaction and at least one fuel reforming reaction; at least four shells arranged concentrically about the outer wall of the core reaction zone, a gap being defined between the outer wall of the core reaction zone and each of the successive shells to form a plurality of coaxial zones, the shells being configured to permit heat transfer directly between each adjacent zone, including the core reaction zone; at least four fluid flows, each in a different coaxial zone, wherein at least two of the fluid flows comprise a reactant that is heated from a first temperature to a second higher temperature by traversing a coaxial zone, and wherein at least one of the fluid flows comprises a hot product of a reaction that is cooled from an initial elevated temperature to a second cooler temperature by traversing a coaxial zone.