A reformer suitable for micro-scale design has horizontal catalyst tube(s) passing through a baffled radiant section for convective and radiant heat transfer to the tube(s). To reduce the footprint and/or to facilitate field assembly a combustion chamber and convection section can be oriented transversely with respect to the radiant section; the tube(s) can be horizontal and/or include structured catalyst; and/or the combustion chamber provides flameless combustion or produces a flame without impinging on the tubes. Also, a skid frame-mountable version of the reformer; and a process for transporting, assembling, and/or operating the steam methane reformer.

A reactor includes: a heat exchange section including: a first flow channel configured to flow a reaction fluid and a second flow channel configured to flow a heat medium; an introduction path for a temperature sensor, extending from an insertion opening provided on a side surface of the heat exchange section to the first flow channel or the second flow channel; a pipe for a temperature sensor, connected to a side surface of the heat exchange section and communicating with the introduction path through the insertion opening; and a jig provided in the pipe. The jig is provided with a guide hole extending from the base end toward the tip end and opened toward the insertion opening of the introduction path. The guide hole is provided with a tapered hole directed from the base end toward the tip end.

In a reactor, a first reference position is presumed to be defined by a straight line in contact with a first open end of the introduction port on the side bent toward the second flow channel and extending in the direction intersecting with the second flow channels, and a second reference position is presumed to be defined by a straight line in contact with a second open end of the introduction port on the opposite side of the first open end and extending in the direction intersecting with the second flow channel. At least part of the catalyst body is provided at least either in a region defined between the first reference position and the second reference position, or in a region defined between the second reference position and an inlet position of the first flow channels.

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.

The invention relates to an exchanger-reactor comprising at least three stages with at least one stage comprising both: millimetric channels at least partially covered with a catalyst for stimulating a steam reforming reaction, and millimetric channels at least partially covered with a catalyst for stimulating a water gas reaction.

A single-component exchanger-reactor including, from bottom to top in the direction of manufacture a distribution region, an inlet connector and an outlet connector, each in the form of a half cylinder and adjoining the distribution region on either side; an inlet located on the front face of the inlet connector, an outlet located on the front face of the outlet connector; an exchange region consisting of reactive channels and product channels; with each connector including supports in the inner upper part thereof.

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 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.

Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided. The processes can include transporting reactants via a first set of fluid channels to a second set of fluid channels, and thermally engaging at least one of the first set of fluid channels with at least two of the second set of fluid channels.

A reactor includes: a heat exchange body including a heat medium channel through which the heat medium flows and a reaction channel through which the reaction fluid flows; at least one structured catalyst supporting a catalyst for promoting the reaction of the reaction fluid and removably installed in the reaction channel; and a holding member including an extending part extending in a direction conforming to an extending direction of the reaction channel and capable of engaging with the at least one structured catalyst, and regulating parts provided in the extending part to regulate a movement of the at least one structured catalyst in the extending direction of the extending part, wherein the holding member is inserted and removed with respect to the reaction channel while holding the structured catalyst.