Patent · US Expired

Process for utilization of a cold-flame vaporizer in auto-thermal reforming of liquid fuel

US6872481B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
4References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 2002
Grant dateMar 29, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 26, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A fuel processing sub-system is provided and includes a cold-flame vaporizer in fluid communication with an auto-thermal reformer. The cold-flame vaporizer operates within a temperature range of approximately 310° C. to 500° C. for enabling a cold-flame reaction, whereby partial oxidization of a volume of fuel occurs for producing heat. The produced heat is used to vaporize the remaining volume of fuel and superheat a volume of saturated steam supplied to the cold-flame vaporizer. The vaporized fuel, water (steam) and a supply of air are efficiently mixed within the cold-flame vaporizer for supply to the auto-thermal reformer at a temperature below 500° C. In order to ensure the cold-flame reaction, the cold-flame vaporizer is operated with an O/C ratio of 0.5 to 2.3, an S/C ratio of 1.5 to 3.0 and a pressure of 1.5 to 3.0 bar-g. In this manner, turndown ratios are achievable for applications having transient power demands.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.