초록 ▼

Hydrogen generation and fuel cell operation are integrated through the use of a low-cost hydrogen generation zone which comprises a pre-reforming zone, a partial oxidation zone, a reforming zone, and a water gas shift zone. Anode waste gas from the fuel cell is burned to provide heat to pre-reform t

Hydrogen generation and fuel cell operation are integrated through the use of a low-cost hydrogen generation zone which comprises a pre-reforming zone, a partial oxidation zone, a reforming zone, and a water gas shift zone. Anode waste gas from the fuel cell is burned to provide heat to pre-reform the feed to the hydrogen generation zone while the burner exit temperature and the reforming zone exit temperatures are controlled to eliminate thermal cycling in the hydrogenation zone. This simplified control of the hot side temperatures in the hydrogen generation zone below about 700.degree. C. combined with use of the pre-reforming zone, surprisingly permits the use of carbon steel and/or stainless steel for construction of the hydrogenation zone while providing an efficient system which does not require external fuel and offers a high degree of feedstock flexibility at low cost.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A process for producing electric power from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising the following steps:a) passing the hydrocarbon feedstock and steam to a convection heated pre-reforming zone at a pre-reforming temperature to produce a pre-reforming effluent;b) passing the pre-reform

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A process for producing electric power from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising the following steps:a) passing the hydrocarbon feedstock and steam to a convection heated pre-reforming zone at a pre-reforming temperature to produce a pre-reforming effluent;b) passing the pre-reforming effluent and a first air stream to a partial oxidation zone in a reaction chamber to produce a partial oxidation effluent;c) passing the partial oxidation effluent to a reforming zone disposed in the reaction chamber to produce a reforming effluent comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide;d) passing the reforming effluent at a reforming exit temperature to a carbon monoxide reduction zone to produce a hydrogen product;e) passing the hydrogen product to a fuel cell zone to produce electric power and withdrawing an anode waste gas stream comprising hydrogen; and,f) combusting the anode waste gas stream and a second air stream to provide a flue gas stream at a flue gas temperature and heating the pre-reforming zone with the flue gas stream in a heat exchange zone having a steady-state temperature profile.