Abstract

A reformer assembly includes a vortex tube receiving heated fuel mixed with steam. A catalyst coats the inner wall of the main tube of the vortex tube and a hydrogen-permeable tube is positioned in the middle of the main tube coaxially with the main tube. With this structure the vortex tube outputs primarily Hydrogen from one end and Carbon-based constituents from the other end. In some embodiments a second vortex tube receives the Carbon output of the first vortex tube to establish a water gas shift reactor, producing Hydrogen from the Carbon output of the first vortex tube.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01J 19/02 - Apparatus characterised by being constructed of material selected for its chemically-resistant properties
• F02M 33/00 - Other apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel or fuel-air mixture
• F01D 5/02 - Blade-carrying members, e.g. rotors
• H01M 8/0612 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
• H01M 8/04007 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
• H01M 8/083 - Alkaline fuel cells
• H01M 8/1011 - Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
• H01M 8/086 - Phosphoric acid fuel cells [PAFC]
• F02C 3/20 - Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid using a special fuel, oxidant, or dilution fluid to generate the combustion products
• F02C 3/22 - Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid using a special fuel, oxidant, or dilution fluid to generate the combustion products the fuel or oxidant being gaseous at standard temperature and pressure
• F02C 6/10 - Gas-turbine plants providing heated or pressurised working fluid for other apparatus, e.g. without mechanical power output supplying working fluid to a user, e.g. a chemical process, which returns working fluid to a turbine of the plant
• H01M 8/14 - Fuel cells with fused electrolytes
• H01M 8/10 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
• H01M 8/12 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte

Abstract

A reformer assembly includes a vortex tube receiving heated fuel mixed with steam. A catalyst coats the inner wall of the main tube of the vortex tube and a hydrogen-permeable tube is positioned in the middle of the main tube coaxially with the main tube. With this structure the vortex tube outputs primarily Hydrogen from one end and Carbon-based constituents from the other end. In some embodiments a second vortex tube receives the Carbon output of the first vortex tube to establish a water gas shift reactor, producing Hydrogen from the Carbon output of the first vortex tube.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01B 3/38 - Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents using catalysts
• B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
• F02C 6/18 - Plural gas-turbine plantsCombinations of gas-turbine plants with other apparatusAdaptations of gas-turbine plants for special use using the waste heat of gas-turbine plants outside the plants themselves, e.g. gas-turbine power heat plants
• H01M 8/0612 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
• H01M 8/086 - Phosphoric acid fuel cells [PAFC]
• H01M 8/083 - Alkaline fuel cells
• H01M 8/1011 - Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
• H01M 8/04007 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
• F02M 33/00 - Other apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel or fuel-air mixture
• H01M 8/1018 - Polymeric electrolyte materials
• H01M 8/124 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte characterised by the process of manufacturing or by the material of the electrolyte
• H01M 8/14 - Fuel cells with fused electrolytes
• F01D 5/02 - Blade-carrying members, e.g. rotors

Abstract

Hydrocarbon fuel is sent to a reformer, which produces carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a fuel cell which uses it to generate electricity, and the electricity is used to actuate an electric motor that is coupled to an output shaft of a turbine to impart torque to the shaft. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuel can be provided to the turbine intake directly and/or carbon from the reformer can be mixed with steam from the fuel cell and sent to the turbine intake, in either case to impinge on the turbine blades and impart further torque to the output shaft.

IPC Classes  ?

• F02B 43/00 - Engines characterised by operating on gaseous fuelsPlants including such engines
• H01M 8/06 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
• H01M 8/08 - Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
• H01M 8/10 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
• H01M 8/12 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
• H01M 8/14 - Fuel cells with fused electrolytes

Abstract

Hydrocarbon fuel is sent to a reformer, which produces carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a fuel cell which uses it to generate electricity, and the electricity is used to actuate an electric motor that is coupled to an output shaft of a turbine to impart torque to the shaft. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuel can be provided to the turbine intake directly and/or carbon from the reformer can be mixed with steam from the fuel cell and sent to the turbine intake, in either case to impinge on the turbine blades and impart further torque to the output shaft.

IPC Classes  ?

• F02C 6/18 - Plural gas-turbine plantsCombinations of gas-turbine plants with other apparatusAdaptations of gas-turbine plants for special use using the waste heat of gas-turbine plants outside the plants themselves, e.g. gas-turbine power heat plants

Abstract

Hydrocarbon fuel is sent to a reformer, which produces carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a fuel cell which uses it to generate electricity, and the electricity is used to actuate an electric motor that is coupled to an output shaft of a turbine to impart torque to the shaft. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuel can be provided to the turbine intake directly and/or carbon from the reformer can be mixed with steam from the fuel cell and sent to the turbine intake, in either case to impinge on the turbine blades and impart further torque to the output shaft.

IPC Classes  ?

• F01K 21/04 - Steam engine plants not otherwise provided for using mixtures of steam and gasPlants generating or heating steam by bringing water or steam into direct contact with hot gas
• F01K 27/02 - Plants modified to use their waste heat, other than that of exhaust, e.g. engine-friction heat
• F02G 5/00 - Profiting from waste heat of combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
• H02K 7/14 - Structural association with mechanical loads, e.g. with hand-held machine tools or fans

Abstract

Hydrocarbon fuel is sent to a reformer, which produces carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a fuel cell which uses it to generate electricity, and the electricity is used to actuate an electric motor that is coupled to an output shaft of a turbine to impart torque to the shaft. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuel can be provided to the turbine intake directly and/or carbon from the reformer can be mixed with steam from the fuel cell and sent to the turbine intake, in either case to impinge on the turbine blades and impart further torque to the output shaft.

IPC Classes  ?

• F02C 6/18 - Plural gas-turbine plantsCombinations of gas-turbine plants with other apparatusAdaptations of gas-turbine plants for special use using the waste heat of gas-turbine plants outside the plants themselves, e.g. gas-turbine power heat plants