Methods of Improving thermal transfer within a hydrocarbon reformig system

Abstract

A process for supplementing steam reformation with hydrogen, oxygen and heat from dissociation of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Steam reforming suffers from starting the overall system in an endothermic manner which leads to long start times and limited turndown capability in delivering high quality hydrogen. Using a material such as hydrogen peroxide in a controlled manner allows for instant generation of oxygen-enriched steam, an essential state in reforming hydrocarbons. It additionally, offers the opportunity to relieve parasitic power requirements associated with compressing air to reach the O 2 density required for the reforming process and eliminates, or minimizes (as a function of overall power system design requirements) post process cleanup of nitrogen-oxides.

1 . A method comprising:
 a. contacting a hydrogen peroxide solution with water to produce heat, steam and oxygen; and,   b. supplying at least one of the heat, steam and oxygen to a hydrocarbon reforming system.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a system of contacting the hydrogen peroxide solution and water is external to the hydrocarbon reforming system. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a system of contacting the hydrogen peroxide solution and water is integrated internally with the hydrocarbon reforming system. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a chemical reaction process path of the reforming system is subdivided into at least two parallel process paths, wherein each parallel process path is isolated from any other process path, and wherein the parallel process paths have a uniform geometry and an interior accessible by at least one end, and wherein each interior contains at least two catalytic beds. 
   
   
       5 - 8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the reforming system uses only hydrogen peroxide as an oxygen source. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the reforming system uses only air as an oxygen source. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least one heat exchange device is placed in a discharge gas stream of the reforming system and is interconnected by at least one rod to at least one of the process paths. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the diluted hydrogen peroxide solution has a concentration of between about 60% by weight and about 70% by weight. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the diluted hydrogen peroxide solution has a concentration between about 35% by weight and about 55% by weight. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 contacting the steam and oxygen with a hydrocarbon fuel to form a hydrogen reformate stream and,   supplying the hot hydrogen reformate stream to a second hydrocarbon reforming device.   
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the hydrocarbon is liquid ethanol. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a chemical reaction process path of the reforming system is subdivided into at least two parallel process paths. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each parallel process path is isolated from any other process path, and wherein the parallel process paths have a uniform geometry and an interior accessible by at least one end, and wherein each interior contains at least two catalytic beds, and wherein at least one element interconnects the at least two catalytic beds. 
   
   
       21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the element is composed of at least two materials. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the element is an assembly of at least one rod and at least one plate in contact with the at least one rod. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the reforming system uses only hydrogen peroxide as an oxygen source. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein at least one heat exchange device is placed in a discharge gas stream of the reforming system and is interconnected by at least one rod to at least one of the process paths. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the reforming device uses only hydrogen peroxide as an oxygen source. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the diluted hydrogen peroxide solution has a concentration of between about 60% by weight and about 70% by weight. 
   
   
       28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the diluted hydrogen peroxide solution has a concentration between about 35% by weight and about 55% by weight.