A system for production of hydrogen includes a steam methane reformer (SMR) including an outer tube, wherein a first end of the outer tube is closed; and an inner tube disposed in the outer tube, wherein a first end of the inner tube is open. An SMR flow channel is defined within the inner tube and an annular space is defined between the outer tube and the inner tube. The flow channel is in fluid communication with the annular space. The SMR includes a foam disposed in the annular space. The system includes a water gas shift reactor comprising a reaction tube, wherein a reaction channel is defined within the reaction tube, and wherein the reaction channel is in fluid communication with the SMR flow channel; a heat transfer material disposed in the reaction channel; and a catalyst disposed in the reaction channel.

Method for the preparation of synthesis gas by combining electrolysis of water, autothermal reforming and heat exchange reforming of a hydrocarbon feed stock.

Provided is a fuel cell system capable of further increasing electric power generation efficiency, compared to the current circumstances, with respect to a fuel cell SOFC that generates electric power by supplying a reformed gas obtained by steam reforming to a fuel electrode. A steam reformer that reforms a hydrocarbon fuel by a steam reforming reaction; a fuel cell that operates by introducing a reformed gas to a fuel electrode; and an anode off-gas circulation path that removes condensed water while cooling an anode off-gas, and introduces the anode off-gas to the steam reformer are provided. A condensation temperature in a condensing device is controlled by a control unit that controls a steam partial pressure of the anode circulated to the steam reformer, and S/C adjustment is adapted to high-efficiency electric power generation.

High purity hydrogen is produced by a steam reforming hydrogen production unit with at least one of a bayonet reactor for reforming steam and a hydrocarbon, a recuperative burner, and a regenerative burner such that the steam reforming unit produces little or no steam in excess of the steam reforming process requirements. High purity hydrogen is separated from the syngas exiting the reformer via a pressure swing adsorption unit and combined with high purity nitrogen from an air separation unit as feedstock to a Haber process ammonia synthesis unit. Compressors for the ammonia synthesis unit are driven by higher efficiency drivers than are possible using the low temperature steam conventionally exported from a steam reforming unit. Compression power requirements are reduced.

The invention relates to a chemical reactor comprising reformer tubes for reforming a first feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon gas and steam. The chemical reactor comprises one or more reformer tubes arranged to being heated by an electrically driven heat source. The reformer tube comprises a first inlet for feeding said first feed stream into a first reforming reaction zone of the reformer tube, and a feed conduit arranged to allow a second feed stream into a second reforming reaction zone of the reformer tube. The second reforming reaction zone is positioned downstream of the first reforming reaction zone. The feed conduit is configured so that the second feed stream is only in contact with catalyst material in the second reforming reaction zone. The invention also relates to a process of producing CO rich synthesis gas at low S/C conditions.

The invention relates to a process for reforming a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon gas and steam, said process comprising the steps of: a) in a synthesis gas generation reactor carrying out a reforming reaction of the hydrocarbon feed stream over a first catalyst, thereby forming a first synthesis gas; b) providing a heated CO.sub.2 rich stream to a post converter comprising a second catalyst; and c) in said post converter carrying out a methanation, steam reforming and reverse water gas shift reactions of the first synthesis gas and the heated CO.sub.2 rich stream to produce a product synthesis gas, wherein said second catalyst is heated electrically by means of an electrical power source. The invention moreover relates to a system arranged to carry out the process of the invention.

A highly compact heat integrated fuel processor, which can be used for the production of hydrogen from a fuel source, suitable to feed a fuel cell, is described. The fuel processor assembly comprises a catalytic reforming zone (29) and a catalytic combustion zone (28), separated by a wall (27). Catalyst able to induce the reforming reactions is placed in the reforming zone and catalyst able to induce the combustion reaction is placed in the combustion zone, both in the form of coating on a suitable structured substrate, in the form of a metal monolith. FeCrAlY steel foils, in corrugated form so as to enhance the available area for reaction, can be used as suitable substrates. The reforming and the combustion zones can be either in rectangular shape, forming a stack with alternating combustion/reforming zones or in cylindrical shape forming annular sections with alternating combustion/reforming zones, in close contact to each other. The close placement of the combustion and reforming catalyst facilitate efficient heat transfer through the wall which separates the reforming and combustion chambers.

A heat integrated steam reformer, which incorporates a catalytic combustor, which can be used in a fuel processor for hydrogen production from a fuel source, is described. The reformer assembly comprises a reforming section and a combustion section, separated by a wall. Catalyst (21) able to induce the reforming reactions is placed in the reforming section, either in the form of pellets or in the form of coating on a suitable structured catalyst substrate such as fecralloy sheets. Catalyst (22) able to induce the combustion reactions is placed in the combustion section in the form of coating on suitable structured catalyst substrate such as fecralloy sheet. A steam and fuel mixture (30) is supplied to the reforming section (14) where it is reformed to produce hydrogen. A fuel and an oxygen (32) containing gas mixture is supplied to the combustion section where it is catalytically combusted to supply the heat for the reformer. The close placement of the combustion and reforming catalysts facilitate efficient heat transfer. Multiple such assemblies can be bundled to form reactors of any size. The reactor made of this closely packed combustion and reforming sections is very compact.

A highly compact heat integrated fuel processor, which can be used for the production of hydrogen from a fuel source, suitable to feed a fuel cell, is described. The fuel processor assembly comprises a catalytic reforming zone (29) and a catalytic combustion zone (28), separated by a wall (27). Catalyst able to induce the reforming reactions is placed in the reforming zone and catalyst able to induce the combustion reaction is placed in the combustion zone, both in the form of coating on a suitable structured substrate, in the form of a metal monolith. FeCrAlY steel foils, in corrugated form so as to enhance the available area for reaction, can be used as suitable substrates. The reforming and the combustion zones can be either in rectangular shape, forming a stack with alternating combustion/reforming zones or in cylindrical shape forming annular sections with alternating combustion/reforming zones, in close contact to each other. The close placement of the combustion and reforming catalyst facilitate efficient heat transfer through the wall which separates the reforming and combustion chambers.

A synthesis gas plant for producing synthesis gas, said synthesis gas plant including an electrically heated reforming reactor system including a first catalyst active for catalyzing steam methane reforming reaction, said electrically heated reforming reactor system being arranged to receive a feed gas comprising hydrocarbons and outletting a first synthesis gas stream. The synthesis gas plant also includes a post converter downstream the electrically heated reforming reactor system, said post converter housing a second catalyst active for catalyzing steam methane reforming/methanation reactions and reverse water gas shift reaction, said post converter being arranged to receive at least part of said first synthesis gas stream and outletting a second synthesis gas stream. Furthermore, the synthesis gas plant includes means for adding a heated CO.sub.2 rich gas stream to the at least part of the first synthesis gas stream upstream the post converter and/or into the post converter.