Fuel reforming system and process

摘要

Fuel reforming processes and systems are disclosed. The fuel reforming process includes providing a fuel reformer, the fuel reformer comprising a reaction zone configured for exothermic partial oxidation to generate reformates and a heat exchanger extending from the reaction zone, the heat exchanger configured to expel the reformates through a reformate path and receive fuel-rich reactants through a fuel path, generating the reformates by the exothermic partial oxidation of the fuel-rich reactants within the reaction zone, heating the fuel-rich reactants in reaction zone with the heat exchanger by heat from the reformates in the reformate path. The process is energetically self-sustained and operates without a catalyst. The fuel reforming system includes the fuel reformer with a spiral heat exchanger and a component capable of operation with the reformates and incompatible with combustion products, such as a fuel cell.

主权项

1. A fuel reforming process, comprising:
providing a fuel reformer, the fuel reformer comprising:
a reaction zone configured for exothermic partial oxidation to generate reformates; anda spiral heat exchanger extending from the reaction zone, the heat exchanger configured to expel the reformates through a spiral reformate path and receive fuel-rich reactants through a spiral countercurrent fuel path, the spiral reformate path being adjacent to the spiral countercurrent fuel path; generating the reformates by the exothermic partial oxidation of the fuel-rich reactants within the reaction zone; heating the fuel-rich reactants with the heat exchanger by heat from the reformates in the reformate path; wherein the process is energetically self-sustained and operates without a catalyst.