A system and method of efficiently producing ultrapure hydrogen from ammonia using a single energy efficient processing step. Ammonia is introduced into reaction cells. Each reaction cell has a first tube of hydrogen permeable material that is concentrically positioned within a second tube of hydrogen impermeable material. The concentric orientation between the first tube and the second tube creates a very narrow reaction gap space between the two tubes. The reaction cell is heated to an operational temperature that is efficient for the heat cracking of ammonia and which makes the first tube highly permeable to hydrogen. Ammonia is introduced into the gap space, wherein the ammonia cracks into nitrogen and hydrogen. The hydrogen contacts the first tube and permeates through the first tube. Accordingly, the cracking of ammonia and the separation of hydrogen occurs in the same reaction cell at the same time using the same heat energy.

The invention relates to a process for producing hydrogen, having a steam methane reforming step for producing synthesis gas, in which heat for the endothermic reaction is at least partially provided by converting electrical energy into heat. The synthesis gas is subject to a water-gas shift step and the shift product is separated into a hydrogen product and a tail gas. The latter is subject to a tail gas separation step, producing a hydrogen rich stream, a carbon dioxide product, and an off-gas stream rich in carbon monoxide and methane. The hydrogen rich stream is recycled to the shifted synthesis gas. According to the invention, off-gas obtained in the tail gas separation step is recycled to the hydrocarbon containing feedstock stream, so that a combined stream of hydrocarbon containing feedstock, off-gas and steam is supplied to the steam methane reforming step.

The invention relates to a process for producing hydrogen, having a steam methane reforming step for producing synthesis gas, in which heat for the endothermic reaction is at least partially provided by converting electrical energy into heat. The synthesis gas is subject to a water-gas shift step and the shift product is subject to a chemical scrubbing step, to afford a carbon dioxide product stream and a hydrogen raw product stream. The hydrogen raw product stream is further purified by means of a hydrogen production step, which affords pure hydrogen and an off-gas stream. The off-gas stream, rich in carbon monoxide and methane, is recycled to the hydrocarbon containing feedstock stream, so that a combined stream of hydrocarbon containing feedstock, off-gas and steam is supplied to the steam methane reforming (SMR) step.

A pyrolysis system for biomass includes a pyrolysis chamber having a chamber inlet end and chamber outlet end and an outer pyrolysis chamber having inner and outer chamber walls formed generally concentric to each other defining an outer passage extending between the chamber inlet end and chamber outlet end. An inner pyrolysis chamber has an inner passage extending between the chamber inlet and outlet ends. Outer and inner heating elements are arranged at the outer and inner chamber walls, respectively. A pyrolysis auger advances pyrolyzing biomass from the chamber inlet end to the chamber outlet end. The inner pyrolysis chamber, inner heating elements, pyrolysis auger, outer pyrolysis chamber and outer heating elements are generally concentric. A biomass feed extruder advances biomass orthogonally into the pyrolysis chamber.

A heat recovery system for plasma reformers is comprised of a cascade of regenerators and recuperators that are arranged to transfer in stages the heat at high temperatures for storage, transport, and recirculation. Recirculation of heat increases the efficiency of plasma reformers and heat exchanging reduces temperature of the product for downstream applications.

A feedstock gas reactor includes a reaction chamber and a first regenerative heat exchanger. A feedstock gas is flowed into the reaction chamber via the first regenerative heat exchanger. The feedstock gas is decomposed in the reaction chamber so as to produce reaction products. The reaction products are flowed out of the reaction chamber. The feedstock gas reactor may also include a second regenerative heat exchanger, and the reaction products may be flowed out of the reaction chamber via the second regenerative heat exchanger. Heat from the reaction products may stored in the second regenerative heat exchanger as the reaction products flow through the second regenerative heat exchanger, for later transfer to a feedstock gas flowing into the reaction chamber via the second regenerative heat exchanger.

A method and associated system for producing syngas containing hydrogen from waste plastics. The method and system provide for pretreating waste plastics; producing a pyrolysis gas by introducing the waste plastics pretreated in the pretreatment process into a pyrolysis reactor; producing from a lightening reaction a pyrolysis oil by introducing the pyrolysis gas into a hot filter; dehydrating a first mixed solution, obtained by mixing the produced pyrolysis oil with washing water and a demulsifier, by applying a voltage to the first mixed solution; hydrotreating a second mixed solution obtained by mixing the dehydrated first mixed solution with a sulfur source to produce a refined pyrolysis oil from which impurities are removed; and gasifying the refined pyrolysis oil, wherein a liquid condensed in the hot filter is re-introduced into the pyrolysis reactor.

The present invention is a system and method of heating a reaction cell that produces hydrogen from a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and steam. The reaction cell contains a first tube of hydrogen permeable material and a second tube of hydrogen impermeable material. The first tube and the second tube are concentrically positioned so that a gap space exists between the two tubes. A heat pipe structure is utilized to heat the gap space. The heat pipe structure defines an enclosed vapor chamber. A volume of a multi-phase material is disposed within the vapor chamber. The multi-phase material changes phase between a liquid and gas within an operating temperature range. A heating element is used to heat the vapor chamber to the operating temperature range. The vapor chamber transfers heat along its length in the same manner as a heat pipe.

A furnace for steam reforming a feed stream containing hydrocarbon, preferably methane, having: a combustion chamber, a plurality of reactor tubes arranged in the combustion chamber for accommodating a catalyst and for passing the feed stream through the reactor tubes, and at least one burner which is configured to burn a combustion fuel in the combustion chamber to heat the reactor tubes. In addition at least one voltage source is provided which is connected to the plurality of reactor tubes in such a manner that in each case an electric current which heats the reactor tubes to heat the feedstock is generable in the reactor tubes.

A system and method of efficiently producing ultrapure hydrogen from ammonia using a single energy efficient processing step. Ammonia is introduced into reaction cells. Each reaction cell has a first tube of hydrogen permeable material that is concentrically positioned within a second tube of hydrogen impermeable material. The concentric orientation between the first tube and the second tube creates a very narrow reaction gap space between the two tubes. The reaction cell is heated to an operational temperature that is efficient for the heat cracking of ammonia and which makes the first tube highly permeable to hydrogen. Ammonia is introduced into the gap space, wherein the ammonia cracks into nitrogen and hydrogen. The hydrogen contacts the first tube and permeates through the first tube. Accordingly, the cracking of ammonia and the separation of hydrogen occurs in the same reaction cell at the same time using the same heat energy.