초록 ▼

The invention relates to a process for operating a system for the water vapor reforming of a hydrocarbon. The system includes a reactor which is suitable for POX operation as well as for a reforming operation, an evaporator, a hydrogen separating stage, and a catalytic burner device. A first part of

The invention relates to a process for operating a system for the water vapor reforming of a hydrocarbon. The system includes a reactor which is suitable for POX operation as well as for a reforming operation, an evaporator, a hydrogen separating stage, and a catalytic burner device. A first part of the catalytic burner device is in thermal contact with the reforming reactor, and a second part of the burner device is in thermal contact with the evaporator. An air/hydrocarbon intermediate feeding pipe for the reactor and a pressure maintaining valve are provided for changing the reactor between the POX operation and the reforming operation. According to the process, during cold start of the system, a heating operation is carried out during which the reactor is first used in the POX operation at a lower pressure and subsequently is used for the reforming operation and simultaneously the pressure is increased to the normal operating pressure. The invention is particularly useful for the water vapor reforming of methanol for obtaining hydrogen for a fuel-cell-operated motor vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A process for operating a system for water vapor reforming a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon derivative, comprising an evaporator, a reforming reactor adapted to be used in a partial oxidation operation or for water vapor reforming, a hydrogen separating stage having a selec

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A process for operating a system for water vapor reforming a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon derivative, comprising an evaporator, a reforming reactor adapted to be used in a partial oxidation operation or for water vapor reforming, a hydrogen separating stage having a selectively hydrogen-permeable membrane, and a catalytic burner device in thermal contact with heat-conducting partitions with the evaporator and the reforming reactor, said process including a warmed normal operating condition and a cold start of the system, whereinwhen the system is in a warmed normal operating condition, the hydrocarbon or the hydrocarbon derivative is subjected to a water vapor reforming reaction in the reforming reactor to form a reformate gas containing hydrogen which is separated from the remaining reformate gas constituents in the hydrogen separating stage at a normal operating pressure and normal operating temperature; further whereinduring the cold start of the system, a heating operation is carried out wherein during a first operating phase the reforming reactor is used in the partial oxidation operation at a heating operating pressure which is lower than the normal operating pressure to partially oxidize the hydrocarbon or the hydrocarbon derivative thereby forming a product gas, the product gas is fed through the hydrogen separating stage into the catalytic burner device and is catalytically burned therein with an oxygen-containing gas, and wherein during a subsequent second operating phase, the reforming reactor is used for the water vapor reforming operation and pressure therein is increased from the heating operating pressure to the normal operating pressure.