Compact pressure swing reformer

US8551444B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. · US

Inventors

• Rajeev Agnihotri · Columbus, US
• Soheil Alizadeh-Khiavi · Burnaby, CA
• Paul J. Berlowitz · Lawrence, US
• Brooke Cox · Fort McMurray, CA
• Bruce A. DeRites · Pittstown, US
• Jeffrey W. Frederick · Spring Mills, US
• Jeffrey Grenda · Readington, US
• Kamal Hatami · Vancouver, CA
• Frank Hershkowitz · Somerville, US
• Zhiguo Hou · Fairfax, US
• Daryl Musselman · North Vancouver, CA
• Novica Rados · Mandeville, US
• John Siller · Flemington, US
• Richard F. Socha · Trenton, US
• George Walchuk · Carteret, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 25, 2007
• Grant date: Oct 8, 2013
• Expiry date: Nov 6, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T156/10
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Embodiments of a compact pressure swing reformer are disclosed. Certain embodiments have a construction comprising multiple rotating reformer beds, high temperature rotary valves at the bed ends, and E-seals to seal the beds to the valves. Several possible designs for introducing reactants into the beds also are disclosed. The multiple reformer beds are configured to provide for pressure equalization and ‘steam push’. The compact pressure swing reformer is suitable for use in fuel cell vehicle applications.