System for reacting fuel and air into reformate

• US 7,381,229 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2004
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enerday GmbH (Webasto Beteiligungs Verwaltung Gbr)
• Original Assignee: Enerday GmbH (Webasto Beteiligungs Verwaltung Gbr)
• Inventors: Lawrence, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhat; N.
• Application Number:
  US11/006,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20050120627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 Days
• Field of Search: 48/61, 481/279, 481/981, 422/224, 431/183, 261/18.1, 261/66
• US Class Current: 48/61
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/26 Nozzle-type reactors, i.e. the distribution of the initial reactants within the reactor is effected by their introduction or injection through nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 4/002 Nozzle-type elements nozzle-type reactors B01J19/26
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0495 the impurity being water
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/50 Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification C01B3/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23C 2900/03002 Combustion apparatus adapted for incorporating a fuel reforming device
• CPC Class Codes: F23C 99/00 Subject-matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 91/02 for use in particular heating operations

Abstract

A system for reacting fuel and air into reformate, with a reformer (10) which has a reaction space (12), a nozzle (14) which at least in part is formed as a Venturi nozzle for supply of a fuel/air mixture to the reaction space (12), the Venturi nozzle part has a small diameter area (16) from which a diffuser extends to the reaction space. A first gas supply means (20) is provided on the side of the small diameter area which side faces away from the diffuser, and second gas supply means (26, 28) are provide at the small diameter area. A fuel supply (22) is also provided for supplying fuel to the nozzle and it preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

Claims

1. System for reacting fuel and air into reformate, comprising:

a reformer having a reaction space,

a nozzle, which is formed at least in part as a Venturi nozzle, for supplying a fuel/air mixture to the reaction space, the Venturi nozzle having a small diameter area,

a diffuser which extends between the small diameter area and the reaction space,

first gas supply means on a side of the small diameter area which side faces away from the diffuser,

a fuel supply for supplying fuel to the nozzle, and

second gas supply means at the small diameter area wherein the second gas supply means comprise at least two openings at the small diameter area, the at least two openings being connected by a channel which is provided outside of the nozzle.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second gas supply means are adapted to supply anode exhaust gas of a fuel cell stack.

3. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first gas supply means are adapted for supplying air.

4. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel supply has at least one fuel outlet which is located between the small diameter area and the reaction space.

5. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel supply has at least one fuel outlet which is located in the area of the lengthwise axis of the nozzle.

6. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel supply comprises at least one injection means.

7. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel supply has a fuel line which extends through an opening of the nozzle.

8. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel supply extends through the small diameter area.

9. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diffuser is connected directly to the reaction space.

10. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diffuser has a continuously widening diameter.

11. System as claimed in claim 10, wherein the diffuser has a linearly widening diameter.

12. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reformer, the nozzle, and the fuel supply form an assembly.