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.

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.

Integrated liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer and fuel cell systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongate tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces, the wall enclosing an open gaseous flow passageway with at least a portion of the wall having CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer also can include a vaporizer, one or more igniters, and a source of liquid reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the liquid fuel CPOX reactor unit.

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.

A method for treatment of process condensate (1) in an ammonia plant, wherein the ammonia plant comprises a front-end section producing a make-up gas and a synthesis section where the make-up gas is reacted to ammonia, and said process condensate (1) is collected from one or more equipment of the ammonia plant and is an aqueous solution comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and methanol. Said method comprises: stripping said process condensate with low-pressure steam (4), obtaining a vapour phase (5) comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and methanol stripped from the process condensate; condensing said vapour phase, obtaining a solution (11) enriched of ammonia and methanol; re-introducing a first portion (12) of said solution to said stripping environment; recycling a second portion (13) of said solution to said ammonia plant.

In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO.sub.2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.

A reformer includes at least one reformer reactor unit (300) having a space-confining wall with external (307) and internal surfaces (306), at least a section of the wall and space confined thereby defining a reforming reaction zone (311), an inlet end (301) and associated inlet (302) for admission of flow of gaseous reforming reactant to the reforming reaction zone (311), an outlet end (303) and associated outlet (304) for outflow of hydrogen-rich reformate produced in the reforming reaction zone (311), at least that section of the wall (305) corresponding to the reforming reaction zone comprising perovskite as a structural component thereof such wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous reforming reactant to diffuse therein and hydrogen-rich reformate to diffuse therefrom.

A chemical plant comprising a refrigeration system including an absorption refrigeration unit, and a steam system including one or more steam producers, steam users, and at least one steam condenser, wherein a heat exchanger is arranged to intercept at least part of a steam flow directed to said steam condenser, and said heat exchanger transfers heat to a working fluid of said absorption refrigeration unit to provide at least part of a heat input required for operation of said refrigeration system.

A liquid fuel reformer includes a fuel vaporizer which utilizes heat from an upstream source of heat, specifically, an electric heater, operable in the start-up mode of the reformer, and therefore independent of the reforming reaction zone of the reformer, to vaporize fuel in a downstream vaporization zone.