A bifunctional catalyst for example for conversion of oxygenates, said bifunctional catalyst comprising zeolite, alumina binder, Zn and P, wherein Zn is present at least partly as ZnAl.sub.2O.sub.4.

In a process for steam reforming of oxygenates, especially at low steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratios, a feed gas containing oxygenates, such as ethanol, is converted into syngas over a ternary carbide catalyst. Then the reformed gas is either transformed into desired chemicals or mixed into the feed stream to the reformer in a plant, such as an ammonia or methanol plant. The preferred ternary carbide is nickel zinc carbide.

The invention relates to a method of starting-up a fuel cell arrangement (1) comprising a fuel processor (2) and a fuel cell (70), wherein the fuel processor (2) comprises the following components: a first evaporator (10), a reformer (20) arranged downstream of the first evaporator (10), a water-gas shift reactor (30), a PrOx reactor (40), a first heat exchanger (11), an afterburner (21) and a startup burner (50), wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) electrically heating a heating arrangement in the fuel processor (2) to heat a first gas (G1), b) heating the components of the fuel processor (2) to a fixed operating temperature by circulating the heated first gas (G1) through at least the first heat exchanger (11) and the afterburner (21), c) catalytically combusting an atomized or evaporated fuel (B) in the startup burner (50) and then afterburning hydrogen in the afterburner (21) for further heating of the first gas (G1) via at least one heat exchanger, d) introducing the fuel (B) into the preheated components of the fuel processor (2) and stopping the catalytic combustion in the startup burner (50), e) starting up at least one reaction in the components of the fuel processor (2), until an exit gas from a PrOx reactor (40) has a given CO content, and f) switching on the fuel cell (70). The invention further relates to a fuel cell arrangement.

Hydrogen generation assemblies and methods of generating hydrogen are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a feed stream in a fuel processing assembly of the hydrogen generation assembly; and generating a product hydrogen stream in the fuel processing assembly from the received feed stream. Generating a product hydrogen stream may, in some embodiments, include generating an output stream in a hydrogen generating region from the received feed stream, and generating the product hydrogen stream in a purification region from the output stream. The method may additionally include receiving the generated product hydrogen stream in a buffer tank of the hydrogen generation assembly; and detecting pressure in the buffer tank via a tank sensor assembly. The method may further include stopping generation of the product hydrogen stream in the fuel processing assembly when the detected pressure in the buffer tank is above a predetermined maximum pressure.

Hydrogen generation assemblies, hydrogen purification devices, and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include a permeate frame with a membrane support structure having first and second membrane support plates that are free from perforations and that include a plurality of microgrooves configured to provide flow channels for at least part of the permeate stream. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a return conduit fluidly connecting a buffer tank and a reformate conduit, a return valve assembly configured to manage flow in the return conduit, and a control assembly configured to operate a fuel processing assembly between run and standby modes based, at least in part, on detected pressure in the buffer tank and configured to direct the return valve assembly to allow product hydrogen stream to flow from the buffer tank to the reformate conduit when the fuel processing assembly is in the standby mode.

The invention relates to a PrOx reactor (R) comprising a housing that encloses a reaction space and has a first inlet (E1) for supply of a hydrogenous first gas (G1) to a reaction space, a second inlet (E2) for supply of an oxygenous second gas (G2) to the reaction space and an outlet (A) for discharge of a third gas (G3), wherein there is a multitude of conduits (Kv) extending from the second inlet (E2) into the reaction space, each of which comprises at least one opening (O) for supply of the second gas (G2) to the reaction space.

The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for producing carbon and syngas from carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2). The system includes a first reactor (7) for producing solid carbon (15) from a feed including CO.sub.2 and a volatile organic compound such as methane (1), and a second reactor (20) for producing syngas. Reactions in the first reactor (7) are conducted in a limited oxygen atmosphere. The second reactor (20) can use dry reforming, steam reforming, and/or partial oxidation reforming to produce the syngas (22).

The invention relates to a catalyst useful in the steam reforming of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The invention provides a method for preparing a catalyst comprising heating a spinel of formula ANi.sub.xFe.sub.(1-X)CrO.sub.4 where A is Mn or Mg and x is from 0 to 0.75 under reducing conditions at a temperature of from 800 to 1500 C., and catalysts obtainable by said method.

The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO into one or more first products which, in turn, may be incorporated into an article of manufacture or one or more second products.

Ceramic compositions with catalytic activity are provided, along with methods for using such catalytic ceramic compositions. The ceramic compositions correspond to compositions that can acquire increased catalytic activity by cyclic exposure of the ceramic composition to reducing and oxidizing environments at a sufficiently elevated temperature. The ceramic compositions can be beneficial for use as catalysts in reaction environments involving swings of temperature and/or pressure conditions, such as a reverse flow reaction environment. Based on cyclic exposure to oxidizing and reducing conditions, the surface of the ceramic composition can be converted from a substantially fully oxidized state to various states including at least some dopant metal particles supported on a structural oxide surface.