An end surface of each first side wall, an end surface of each first middle wall, and an end surface of each first end wall are joined to an adjacent second structure by diffusion bonding, an end surface of each second side wall, an end surface of each second middle wall, and an end surface of each second end wall are joined to an adjacent first structure or a lid structure by diffusion bonding, a thickness of each first side wall is greater than or equal to a thickness of each first middle wall, and a thickness of each second side wall is greater than or equal to a thickness of each second middle wall.

A combined reformer and purifier for converting a hydrogen-rich feedstock into purified hydrogen is described. The combined reformer and purifier can include at least one compression plate as an assembly comprising at least one first cavity comprising a catalyst effective to liberate hydrogen from said hydrogen-rich feedstock and forming a hydrogen-rich mixed gas. The compression plate assembly can also include at least one second cavity enclosing a burner or oxidative catalytic reactor to oxidize said hydrogen-depleted raffinate or said hydrogen-rich feedstock to supply heat to the at least one first cavity containing said catalyst. The compression plate assembly can also include an interior surface proximal to said membrane and an exterior surface distal to said membrane. The compression plate assembly can also include a third cavity effective to preheat said hydrogen-rich feedstock prior to being delivered to said catalyst.

The invention relates to a fuel processor component for a propylene glycol fuel processor, comprising at least one housing (G) having at least two inlets (E1, E2) and two outlets (A1, A2), wherein there is a multitude of first plates (P1) having a first side (S1) and a second side (S2) and second plates (P2) having a third side (S3) and a fourth side (S4) arranged as a stack in the housing (G), wherein the stacked first and second plates (P1, P2) form at least first cavities (H1) and second cavities (H2), wherein the first inlet (E1) has fluid connection to the first outlet (A1) via first cavities (H1) and the second inlet (E2) has fluid connection to the second outlet (A2) via second cavities (H2).

The invention further relates to a propylene glycol fuel processor.

Disclosed is a process for the catalytic thermal decomposition of ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen by contacting ammonia at a temperature of at least 500 C. with a porous ceramic layer which comprises nickel. Also disclosed is a reactor for carrying out the process.

There is provided a method of harnessing ambient thermal energy including: conducting an endothermic reaction in thermal contact with a first heat sink to generate one or more reaction products and conducting an exothermic reaction in thermal contact with a second heat sink using at least one of the one or more reaction products. The conducting the endothermic reaction and the conducting the exothermic reaction generates a temperature difference between the first heat sink and the second heat sink.

An end surface of each first side wall, an end surface of each first middle wall, and an end surface of each first end wall are joined to an adjacent second structure by diffusion bonding, an end surface of each second side wall, an end surface of each second middle wall, and an end surface of each second end wall are joined to an adjacent first structure or a lid structure by diffusion bonding, a thickness of each first side wall is greater than or equal to a thickness of each first middle wall, and a thickness of each second side wall is greater than or equal to a thickness of each second middle wall.

A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.

A catalytic reactor is provided comprising a plurality of first flow channels including a catalyst for a first reaction; a plurality of second flow channels arranged alternately with the first flow channels; adjacent first and second flow channels being separated by a divider plate (13a, 13b), and a distributed temperature sensor such as an optical fibre cable (19). The distributed temperature sensor may be located within the divider plate, or within one or 10 more of the flow channels.

A clean energy system, a renewable energy system or a zero emission energy system (ZEES) to utilize CO.sub.2 waste. The energy system may include a fuel processor, an energy catalytic reactor, and a power generator. The fuel processor may catalytically convert the CH.sub.4 component in the natural gas, biogas or syngas into a reformate including H.sub.2, CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O species. The energy reactor may convert the reformate in gas form into a liquid fuel. The power generator may generate power using an output of the fuel processor and/or an output of the energy reactor.

Certain configurations described herein comprise a reformer that is operative to liberate hydrogen gas from a hydrogen-rich feedstock in a catalytic reforming reaction, where a hydrogen purifier is effective to remove and purify hydrogen gas, in a thermally integrated assembly combining the reformer and purifier. Methods of using the combined reformer/purifier are also described.