초록 ▼

The present disclosure is directed to steam reformers for the production of a hydrogen rich reformate, comprising a shell having a first end, a second end, and a passage extending generally between the first end and the second end of the shell, and at least one heat source disposed about the second

The present disclosure is directed to steam reformers for the production of a hydrogen rich reformate, comprising a shell having a first end, a second end, and a passage extending generally between the first end and the second end of the shell, and at least one heat source disposed about the second end of the shell. The shell comprises at least one conduit member comprising at least one thermally emissive and high radiant emissivity material, at least partially disposed within the shell cavity. The shell further comprises at least one reactor module at least a portion of which is disposed within the shell cavity and about the at least one conduit member and comprises at least one reforming catalyst. The disclosure is also directed to methods of producing a hydrogen reformate utilizing the steam reformers, comprising the steps of combusting a combustible mixture in a burner to produce a combustion exhaust that interacts with the steam reactor module(s) through surface to surface radiation and convection heat transfer, and reforming a hydrocarbon fuel mixed with steam in the steam reformers to produce a hydrogen-containing reformate. The present disclosure is further directed to reactor modules for use with the above steam reformers and methods of producing a hydrogen reformate.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A steam reformer for the production of a hydrogen reformate, comprising: a cylindrical shell defining a cavity having a bottom portion comprising an opening;a heat source configured to heat a fluid supplied to the cavity;a silicon carbide hollow conduit comprising openings at both ends, a first e

1. A steam reformer for the production of a hydrogen reformate, comprising: a cylindrical shell defining a cavity having a bottom portion comprising an opening;a heat source configured to heat a fluid supplied to the cavity;a silicon carbide hollow conduit comprising openings at both ends, a first end of the conduit is disposed within the cavity and opens into the cavity and a second end of the conduit is attached to the bottom portion of the shell and opens to the shell exterior, wherein the heat source is in fluid communication with the second end, and the silicon carbide hollow conduit guides the heated fluid from the heat source to the cavity;a plurality of cylindrical reactor modules as least partially disposed within the cavity are positioned around the silicon carbide conduit to receive heat supplied by the heated fluid and radiant heat supplied by the silicon carbide conduit, wherein each reactor modules includes a reforming catalyst bed; andat least one insulating member disposed about the cavity surrounding the plurality of reactor modules, wherein a surface of the at least one insulating member facing at least one reactor module is shaped to reflect radiant heat from the silicon carbide conduit and the at least one reactor module, and heated fluid back to the at least one reactor module; and wherein the insulating member defines semicircular shaped spaces conforming to the shape of the reactor modules and wherein the number of semicircular shaped spaces matches the number of the reactor modules. 2. The steam reformer of claim 1, wherein the reforming catalyst bed comprises at least one of a stream reforming catalyst, a pre-stream reforming catalyst, an oxidation catalyst, a partial oxidation catalyst, and a water-gas-shift catalyst. 3. The steam reformer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reactor modules each include at least one thermally emissive and radiant absorptive material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a glass, a ceramic, a silicon carbide, and combinations thereof. 4. The steam reformer of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the shell includes a plurality of openings configured to receive the plurality of reactor modules into the cavity. 5. The steam reformer of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of reactor modules is removably attached to the top portion of the shell. 6. The steam reformer of claim 1, wherein a length of the silicon carbide hollow conduit is equal to or greater than the length of the reforming catalyst beds of the plurality of reactor modules. 7. The steam reformer of claim 1, wherein a length of the silicon carbide hollow conduit is equal to or less than the length of the reforming catalyst beds of the plurality of reactor modules. 8. The steam reformer of claim 1, wherein the heated fluid for the silicon carbide hollow conduit and the plurality of reactor modules comprises a hot gas produced by at least one method selected from the group consisting of burning a fuel with air, converting electricity, focusing solar beams, and combinations thereof. 9. The steam reformer of claim 1, wherein a portion of each reactor module disposed within the cavity freely hangs therein. 10. The steam reformer of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of deflectors disposed about the first end of the conduit configured to direct the heat fluid around the reactor modules, thereby reducing a temperature difference about each reactor module. 11. The steam reformer of claim 10, wherein the plurality of deflectors are formed of at least one of a metal, a porcelain, a metal alloy, a glass, a ceramic, a silicon carbide, or combination thereof. 12. The steam reformer of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of reflectors disposed between the insulating member and each of the plurality of reactor modules. 13. The steam reformer of claim 12, wherein the plurality of reflectors are configured to reflection radiation energy around the reactor modules to reduce temperature difference around the reactor modules and thereby reducing radial deformation of the reactor modules.