Method and apparatus for operating a reformer/co oxidation unit

US6299853A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• XCELLSiS GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Stefan Boneberg · Neuffen, DE
• Stefan Brauchle · Biberach, DE
• Dirk Georg · Owen, DE
• Joachim Guertler · Bad Boll, DE
• Martin Schaefer · Gebenstorf, CH
• Martin Schuessler · Bad Birnbach, DE
• Matthias Wolfsteiner · Tauberbischofsheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 13, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 9, 2001
• Expiry date: Oct 13, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B2203/169
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A system for generating hydrogen-rich gas has a reformer for catalytic water vapor reforming of a water vapor/fuel mixture by an input supply of thermal energy, and a CO oxidation stage for removing carbon monoxide from the hydrogen-rich gas while emitting heat, with the reformer and the CO oxidation stage being thermally coupled. An oxygen quantity fed to the CO oxidation stage is adjusted as a function of the gas temperature in or at the output of the reformer/oxidation stage. This can take place by an automatic (feedback) control, a combination of open loop control and automatic control or by an adaptive characteristic diagram.