Renault patent: generation of hydrogen by high temperature conversion of water vapor
Keywords: Reforming, reforming, cracking, cracking, vapocraking, catalytic cracking, thermal cracking, catalyst, fuel cell, fuel cell, hydrogen, synthesis, oxygenation, autothermal, exothermic, endothermic.
Title of the patent (s):
Method and device for generating hydrogen by high temperature conversion with water vapor
Patent number: FR2831532
Inventor: Armines Association for research and development of methods and industrial process. Renault.
Date of removal: October 26th, 2001
Our scientific opinion:
Patent aimed at protecting a process for synthesizing a gas rich in hydrogen by thermal reforming of conventional fuels (gasoline, diesel, LPG / CNG, even vegetable oils or alcohols).
The application is obviously an on-board reformer for supplying a vehicle fuel cell.
The real particularity of this patent is firstly to make a thermal cracking and no longer catalytic compared to the already known patents and systems, secondly to use conventional fuels (this unlike the reforming of methanol) and thirdly to carry out a steam reforming: reforming in the presence of water vapor.
These three points have strong similarities with the pantone process (in 100% pantone phase and no water doping): no catalyst, presence of water vapor and use of conventional fuels. Similar operating temperatures.
Thus we read: "For hydrocarbons heavier than methane, the (reforming) temperatures are lower (below 850 ° C)"
Autothermal reforming is also mentioned: it is a thermal equilibrium between a partial oxidation reaction (exothermic) and reforming (endothermic) which can be particularly interesting in certain cases.
Finally, let us state that it is a great pity that the patent has such anteriorities (2 X, flagrant anticipation, on all the claims) that it will undoubtedly not be easily exploited.