A method for producing hydrogen by controlling an exothermic reaction provides a metal, input to a reaction chamber, at a first flow rate. An acid is provided and input to the reaction chamber at a second flow rate. The combination of the metal and acid produces hydrogen under pressure in the reaction chamber. Hydrogen is output from the reaction chamber at a first pressure and at a third flow rate. The first pressure and the third flow rate are determined. Each of the first flow rate of the metal and the second flow rate of the acid are controlled as a function of the first pressure and third flow rate.

A method for producing a synthetic fuel from hydrogen and carbon dioxide comprises extracting hydrogen molecules from hydrogen compounds in a hydrogen feedstock to produce a hydrogen-containing fluid stream; extracting carbon dioxide molecules from a dilute gaseous mixture in a carbon dioxide feedstock to produce a carbon dioxide containing fluid stream; and processing the hydrogen and carbon dioxide containing fluid streams to produce a synthetic fuel. At least some thermal energy and/or material used for at least one of the steps of extracting hydrogen molecules, extracting carbon dioxide molecules, and processing the hydrogen and carbon dioxide containing fluid streams is obtained from thermal energy and/or material produced by another one of the steps of extracting hydrogen molecules, extracting carbon dioxide molecules, and processing the hydrogen and carbon dioxide containing fluid streams.

A process for providing a carbon monoxide-containing stream involves a separation of synthesis gas into a hydrogen-rich gas stream and a carbon monoxide-rich gas stream containing carbon monoxide to an extent of 85% by volume or more. The separation is effected in an arrangement composed of three membrane separation stages. Prior to the performance of the membrane separation, the synthesis gas is pretreated for removal of secondary components present in the synthesis gas.

The present invention deals with catalysts for the conversion of CO by the shifting reaction of high temperature water gas, free from chromium and iron, consisting of alumina promoted by potassium, by zinc and copper oxides and in a second embodiment also additionally nickel. The catalysts thus prepared maintain high CO conversion activity, not having the environmental limitations or operating limitations with low excess steam in the process, which exist for catalysts in accordance with the state of the art. Such catalysts are used in the hydrogen or synthesis gas production process by the steam reforming of hydrocarbons, allow the use of low steam/carbon ratios in the process, exhibiting high activity and stability to thermal deactivation and lower environmental restrictions for production, storage, use and disposal, than the industrially used catalysts based on iron, chromium, and copper oxides.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen extraction reactor, comprising a chamber including an inner space; a reaction unit which is provided to pass through the inside of the chamber and where an endothermic reaction for hydrogen extraction occurs; a heating unit which is provided to be spaced apart from the reaction unit inside the chamber and transfers heat to the inside of the chamber; and a heat transfer material which is provided between the reaction unit and the heating unit in the chamber, wherein the heat transfer material undergoes a phase transition between a gas phase and a liquid phase according to the entry and exit of heat from the heating unit or the reaction unit.

Disclosed is a hydrocarbon gas reforming supported catalyst, and methods for its use, that includes a catalytic material capable of catalyzing the production of a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen (H.sub.2) and carbon monoxide (CO) from a hydrocarbon gas and a clay support material comprising a clay mineral, wherein the catalytic material is chemically bonded to the clay support material, and wherein the chemical bond is a M1-M2 bond, where M1 is a metal from the catalytic material and M2 is a metal from the clay support material, or the chemical bond is a M1-O bond, where M1 is a metal from the catalytic material and oxygen (O) is from the clay support material, wherein the supported catalyst comprises at least 70% or more by weight of the clay support material.

A method for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed gas to methanol, including the steps of: providing a hydrocarbon feed gas; optionally, purifying the hydrocarbon feed gas in a gas purification unit; optionally, prereforming the hydrocarbon feed gas together with a steam feedstock in a prereforming unit; carrying out steam methane reforming in a reforming reactor heated by means of an electrical power source; providing the synthesis gas to a methanol synthesis unit to provide a product including methanol and an off-gas. Also, a system for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed gas to methanol.

A process and apparatus for producing a hydrogen-enriched product and recovering CO.sub.2 from an effluent stream from a hydrogen production process unit are described. The process utilizes a CO.sub.2 recovery system integrated with a PSA system that produces at least two product streams to recover additional hydrogen and CO.sub.2 from the tail gas stream of a hydrogen PSA unit in the hydrogen production process.

A process and apparatus for producing a hydrogen-enriched product and recovering CO.sub.2 from an effluent stream from a hydrogen production unit are described. The effluent from the hydrogen production unit, which comprises a mixture of gases comprising hydrogen, carbon dioxide, water, and at least one of methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and argon, is sent to a PSA system that produces at least two product streams for separation. The PSA system that produces at least two product streams separates the gas mixture into a high-pressure hydrogen stream enriched in hydrogen, optionally a second gas stream containing the majority of the impurities, and a low-pressure tail gas stream enriched in CO.sub.2 and some impurities. The CO.sub.2-rich tail gas stream is compressed and sent to a CO.sub.2 recovery unit, where a CO.sub.2-enriched stream is recovered. The CO.sub.2-depleted overhead gas stream is recycled to the PSA system that produces at least two product streams.

A syngas generator is disclosed as an exothermic gas generator that can accommodate high combustion temperatures of a natural gas/oxygen flame. The generator includes four sections: a heavily insulated combustion chamber, a catalyst chamber, a spray chamber, and a heat exchanger. These four sections may be arranged in series and tightly bolted together to form a gas-tight system. Natural gas, oxygen and steam are supplied to a burner at the inlet end of the combustion chamber. This mixture is ignited and the resulting hot process gas is then fed into a catalyst bed where it reacts with the steam and is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas). The syngas is fed to a Fischer-Tropsch unit to create liquid fuel.