Apparatus for producing hydrogen
US7763085B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC01B2203/1628
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method for producing a hydrogen-enriched reformate. The apparatus includes a fuel processor for converting a fuel to a reformate having fluctuations in pressure and or flow rate, means for reducing the fluctuations, a compression unit for compressing the reformate and one or more of a purification unit and a storage unit downstream of a compression unit. Means for reducing the fluctuations in the reformate can include one or more of a buffer and a conduit for providing a controlled flow of a supplemental fluid to an inlet of the compression unit. The supplemental fluid can include the compressed reformate, a hydrogen-enriched reformate, and mixtures thereof. The apparatus can include means for regulating power to the compression unit that can incrementally increase power to the compression unit particularly during start up. The purification unit can include one or more of a hydrogen selective membrane and a pressure swing adsorption unit. Methods for producing hydrogen are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.