Process for operating a methanol reforming apparatus

US6074770A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• DBB Fuel Cell Engines Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung · DE
• BASF SE

Inventors

• Rainer Autenrieth
• Andreas Christen · Bad Dürkheim, DE
• Martin Schuessler · Bad Birnbach, DE
• Otto Krumberger · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 15, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 13, 2000
• Expiry date: Jun 15, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T90/40
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for the operation of a methanol reforming apparatus wherein, during the operation of the reforming reaction, methanol is reformed in a methanol reforming reactor using a methanol reforming catalyst. The reforming reaction is interrupted at given times for catalyst reactivation phases, during which the reactor containing the methanol reforming catalyst is flushed with hydrogen gas for the activity-regenerating treatment of the methanol reforming catalyst which loses its catalytic activity. The process may be used for the operation of methanol reforming apparatus in fuel-cell-operated motor vehicles for the production of hydrogen from liquid methanol.