Reformer reactor and method for converting hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen rich gas

摘要

A reformer reactor is provided for converting hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen rich gas by auto-thermal reaction process having a cylindrically shaped and double walled, housing with two side faces forming a reaction chamber of the reformer. Additionally, a fuel inlet is provided in one of the two side faces for providing hydrocarbon fuels into the reaction chamber, wherein further a fuel preheating means is provided which preheats the hydrocarbon fuel before the hydrocarbon fuel enters the reaction chamber.

主权项

1. A reformer reactor for converting hydrocarbon fuels into a hydrogen rich gas for fuel cells and/or exhaust treatment applications by auto-thermal reaction comprising
a housing with two side faces forming a reaction chamber of the reformer reactor, a fuel inlet which is provided in one of the two side faces for providing hydrocarbon fuels into the reaction chamber, wherein hydrocarbon fuel and oxidizing agent are brought together in the reaction chamber, an inner wall and an outer wall forming a space in-between, wherein the space defines an oxidizing agent passage between an oxidizing agent supply port provided in the outer wall and an oxidizing agent inlet provided in the inner wall, and a fuel preheating means which preheats the hydrocarbon fuel before the hydrocarbon fuel enters the reaction chamber, the fuel inlet comprising a fuel injector and the preheating means being an integral part of the fuel injector, wherein the fuel injector and the preheating means are a single device, wherein the fuel injector is in heat conducting contact with the one of the side faces so that heat is transferred from the reaction chamber to the fuel injector to preheat the hydrocarbon fuel, and wherein the inner wall is adapted to preheat the oxidizing agent to substantially the same or to a higher temperature range as the hydrocarbon fuel.