VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR AUTOTHERMEN REFORMIERUNG VON KOHLENWASSERSTOFFEN

This new autothermal reforming process for hydrocarbons, mixes liquid and/or gaseous fuel (19) with a reagent (oxidant, steam) for reforming in a reaction zone including a catalyst (4, 5, 6) structure. A novel feature is maintenance of catalyst temperature such that carbon formation, coking or thermal cracking is prevented. The fuel is applied directly onto the hot catalyst, for simultaneous catalytic combustion and reforming. Also claimed is the corresponding reactor (1). USE - A catalytic hydrocarbon reforming process for e.g. natural gas, benzene, methanol, diesel or liquefied gas. ADVANTAGE - This plant produces quantities of hydrogen more suited to de-centralised, smaller, power generation fuel cells. A range of e.g. SOFC, MCFC, phosphoric acid and polymer type fuel cells is discussed. The reformer hydrogen equivalent production rate is up to e.g.100 kW, based on the lower calorific value. It is particularly small and compact, suiting it to mobile use. It accepts gaseous and liqui d fuels. Soot, coking and cracking are avoided by preheating, followed by extremely rapid final heating at the catalyst surface, whilst always keeping below the critical breakdown temperatures, to favour the desired reactions. The unit has excellent dynamic loading behaviour.