A device and method for producing a reformate fuel from a hydrocarbon gas source. The invention enables the conversion of a dilute hydrocarbon gas into a more easily consumable reformate fuel. Gases having low concentrations of hydrocarbons are concentrated using a concentrator into a gaseous or liquid concentrated VOC fuel. The concentrated VOC fuel is then converted into a reformate using a reformer. The reformate is more easily consumed by an energy conversion device such as a combustion engine, fuel cell, sterling engine or similar device that converts chemical energy into kinetic or electrical energy. The reformer enables complex hydrocarbon fuels that are not normally suitable for use in an energy conversion device to be converted into a reformate. The reformate may be directly supplied into the energy conversion device.

The present invention relates to a balance of plant (BOP) system of solid oxide fuel cells including a burner, a reformer, a steam generator, and heat exchangers, wherein the burner, the reformer and the steam generator are laid sequentially on top of each other to transmit the flames and burned gas generated from the burner directly to the reformer and the steam generator disposed sequentially on top of the burner, and the heat exchangers introduce the flue gas discharged from the steam generator thereinto and preheat the process air to be supplied to cathodes of stacks.

A device and method for producing a reformate fuel from a hydrocarbon gas source. The invention enables the conversion of a dilute hydrocarbon gas into a more easily consumable reformate fuel. Gases having low concentrations of hydrocarbons are concentrated using a concentrator into a gaseous or liquid concentrated VOC fuel. The concentrated VOC fuel is then converted into a reformate using a reformer. The reformate is more easily consumed by an energy conversion device such as a combustion engine, fuel cell, sterling engine or similar device that converts chemical energy into kinetic or electrical energy. The reformer enables complex hydrocarbon fuels that are not normally suitable for use in an energy conversion device to be converted into a reformate. The reformate may be directly supplied into the energy conversion device.

A method for generating hydrogen is provided. In certain embodiments, the method can include the steps of: introducing a hydrocarbon feed stream, at a first temperature, into a first reaction zone under conditions effective for producing a first process stream, wherein the first process stream is at a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature; introducing a second feed stream into a second reaction zone under conditions effective for producing a hydrogen product stream, wherein heat needed for producing the hydrogen product stream from the second feed stream is at least partially provided by heat exchange with the first process stream; and withdrawing the hydrogen product stream from the second reaction zone.

A system and method for making syngas using carbonaceous feedstock, including organic material and/or polymeric material such as ground tire, wood, coal, and the like.

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.

A pyrotechnic process for providing very high purity hydrogen, includes the combustion of at least one solid pyrotechnic charge capable of generating hydrogen-containing gas for the production of a pressurized hot hydrogen-containing gas that contains at least 70% by volume of hydrogen; and the purification of at least one portion of the pressurized hydrogen-containing gas, by passing through a metallic hydrogen separation membrane maintained at a temperature above 250 C., in order to obtain, at the outlet of the membrane, a hydrogen-containing gas that contains at least 99.99% by volume of hydrogen.

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 situation 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.

Process for the production of synthesis gas by catalytic steam reforming of a hydrocarbon containing feedstock in parallel in an autothermal steam reformer and heat exchange reformer, the heat for the steam reforming reactions in the heat exchange reformer being provided by indirect heat exchange with the combined effluent of the heat exchange reformer and a portion of the autothermal steam reformer.

There are provided systems and methods for using fuel-rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. In an embodiment, the system and method use air-breathing piston engines and turbine engines for the fuel-rich partial oxidation of the flare gas to form synthesis gas, and reactors to convert the synthesis gas into the end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.