IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0058307
(2005-02-14)
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등록번호 |
US-7399342
(2008-07-15)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Dascenzo Intellectual Property Law, P.C.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
73 |
초록
▼
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with purge control systems, and hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same. The PSA assemblies are operated according to a PSA cycle to produce a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream from a mixed gas stream. The by
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with purge control systems, and hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same. The PSA assemblies are operated according to a PSA cycle to produce a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream from a mixed gas stream. The byproduct stream may be delivered as a fuel stream to a heating assembly, which may heat the hydrogen-producing region that produces the mixed gas stream. The PSA assemblies may be adapted to regulate the flow of purge gas utilized therein, such as according to a predetermined, non-constant profile. In some embodiments, the flow-of purge gas is regulated to maintain the flow rate and/or fuel value of the byproduct stream at or within a determined range of a threshold value, and/or to regulate the flow of purge gas to limit the concentration of carbon monoxide in a heated exhaust stream produced from the byproduct stream.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. A method for regulating the temperature of a hydrogen-producing region of a fuel processing system adapted to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases, the method comprising: producing a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases in a h
What is claimed is: 1. A method for regulating the temperature of a hydrogen-producing region of a fuel processing system adapted to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases, the method comprising: producing a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases in a heated hydrogen-producing region of a fuel processing system; delivering the mixed gas stream to a pressure swing adsorption assembly having a plurality of adsorbent beds containing adsorbent and adapted to produce a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases and a product hydrogen stream containing a greater concentration of hydrogen gas than the mixed gas stream; adsorbing the other gases from the mixed gas stream to produce a product hydrogen stream containing a greater concentration of hydrogen gas than the mixed gas stream; depressurizing the adsorbent beds to facilitate desorption of the other gases from the adsorbent; purging the adsorbent beds with a flow of purge gas to further facilitate desorption of the other gases, wherein the depressurizing and purging steps produce gas streams from which the byproduct stream is formed; combusting the byproduct stream with air in a heating assembly adapted to produce a heated exhaust stream; heating the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system with the heated exhaust stream; and regulating the flow rate of purge gas to the adsorbent beds to produce a sufficient flow of byproduct gas to maintain the hydrogen-producing region within a determined temperature range for producing the mixed gas stream, the regulating including one or more of selectively increasing and decreasing over a time period the flow rate of the purge gas. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes ramping the flow rate of purge gas to the adsorbent beds. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes regulating the foxy of purge gas to the adsorbent beds to produce a continuous flow of the byproduct stream. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes delivering the flow rate of purge gas at an initial flow rate of purge gas that is less than 75% of an average flow rate of purge gas and thereafter increasing the flow rate of purge gas. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes controlling the fuel value of the byproduct stream. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes a reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes a stream reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream from water and an alcohol and further wherein the determined temperature range is 350-450�� C. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes a stream reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream from water and a hydrocarbon and further: wherein the determined temperature range is 700-800�� C. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes a stream reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream from water and an alcohol and further wherein the determined temperature range is 375-450�� C. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes a stream reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream from water and a hydrocarbon and further wherein the determined temperature range is 725-825�� C. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined temperature range is 350-450�� C. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein tie determined temperature range is 700-800�� C. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined temperature range is 725-825�� C. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes regulating the flow rate of purge gas to the adsorbent beds of a pressure swing adsorption assembly to maintain the concentration of carbon monoxide in the heated exhaust stream below 50 ppm. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes selectively delivering a purge stream to the adsorbent beds according to a variable flow profile. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes selectively delivering purge stream to the adsorbent beds according to a linear foxy profile. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes selectively delivering a purge stream to the adsorbent beds according to a non-linear flow profile. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes delivering the flow rate of purge gas at an initial flow rate of purge gas that is greater than 25% and less than 75% of an average fox rate of purge gas and thereafter increasing the flow rate of purge gas. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes delivering the flow rate of purge gas at an initial flow rate of purge gas that is greater than 25% and less than 50% of an average flow rate of purge gas and thereafter increasing the flow rate of purge gas. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating includes delivering the flow rate of purge gas at an initial flow rate of purge gas that is 25-75% of an average flow rate of the purge gas during a purge stage of a PSA cycle, and further wherein the initial flow rate is maintained for at least 10% of the purge stage. 21. A method for regulating the temperature of a hydrogen-producing region of a fuel processing system adapted to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases, the method comprising: producing a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases in a heated hydrogen-producing region of a fuel processing system; delivering the mixed gas stream to a pressure swing adsorption assembly having a plurality of adsorbent beds containing adsorbent and adapted to produce a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases and a product hydrogen stream containing a greater concentration of hydrogen gas than the mixed gas stream; adsorbing the other gases from the mixed gas stream to produce a product hydrogen stream containing a greater concentration of hydrogen gas than the mixed gas stream; depressurizing the adsorbent beds to facilitate desorption of the other gases from the adsorbent; purging the adsorbent beds with a flow of purge gas to further facilitate desorption of the other gases, wherein the depressuriuing and purging steps produce gas streams from which the byproduct stream is formed; combusting the byproduct stream with air in a heating assembly adapted to produce a heated exhaust stream; heating the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system with the heated exhaust stream; and regulating the flow rate of purge gas to the adsorbent beds to produce a sufficient flow of byproduct gas to maintain the hydrogen-producing region within a determined temperature range for producing the mixed gas stream, the regulating including maintaining the fuel value of the byproduct stream within a predetermined range of a determined fuel value. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the regulating includes ramping the flow rate of purge gas to the adsorbent beds. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the regulating includes delivering the flow rate of purge gas at an initial flow rate of purge gas that is less than 75% of an average flow rate of purge gas and thereafter increasing the flow rate of purge gas. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the hydrogen producing region includes a reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes a stream reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream from water and an alcohol and further wherein the determined temperature range is 350-450�� C. 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes a stream reforming region adapted to produce the mixed gas stream from water and a hydrocarbon and further wherein the determined temperature range is 700-800�� C. 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the determined temperature range is 350-450�� C. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the determined temperature range is 700-800�� C. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the determined temperature range is 725-825�� C. 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the regulating includes delivering the flow rate of purge gas at an initial flow rate of purge gas that is greater than 25% and less than 75% of an average flow rate of purge gas and thereafter increasing the flow rate of purge gas. 31. The method of claim 21, wherein the regulating includes delivering the flow rate of purge gas at an initial flow rate of purge gas that is greater than 25% and less than 50% of an average flow rate of purge gas and thereafter increasing the how rate of purge gas.
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