Hydrogen generation assemblies

Abstract

Hydrogen generation assemblies and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a pump controller configured to select a flowrate from a plurality of flowrates based on detected pressure, and to operate the pump at the selected flowrate. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a purge valve assembly configured to allow at least one pressurized gas to flow through a purge conduit from a pressurized gas assembly to a fuel processing assembly when power to the fuel processing assembly is interrupted. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a damper controller configured to move a damper between fully open and closed positions based, at least in part, on detected temperature in a hydrogen-producing region. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a reformer controller configured to operate a fuel processing assembly between run and standby modes based, at least in part, on detected pressure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]A hydrogen generation assembly is an assembly that converts one or more feedstocks into a product stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component. The feedstocks may include a carbon-containing feedstock and, in some embodiments, also may include water. The feedstocks are delivered to a hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen generation assembly from a feedstock delivery system, typically with the feedstocks being delivered under pressure and at elevated temperatures. The hydrogen-producing region is often associated with a temperature modulating assembly, such as a heating assembly or cooling assembly, which consumes one or more fuel streams to maintain the hydrogen-producing region within a suitable temperature range for effectively producing hydrogen gas. The hydrogen generation assembly may generate hydrogen gas via any suitable mechanism(s), such as steam reforming, autothermal reforming, pyrolysis, and / or catalytic partial oxidation.[...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In some embodiments, the hydrogen generation assembly may include a fuel processing assembly configured to receive a feed stream and to be operable among a plurality of modes, including a run mode in which the fuel processing assembly produces a product hydrogen stream from the feed stream, and a standby mode in which the fuel processing assembly does not produce the product hydrogen stream from the feed stream. The hydrogen generation assembly may additionally include a buffer tank configured to contain the product hydrogen stream, and a product conduit fluidly connecting the fuel processing assembly and the buffer tank. The hydrogen generation assembly may further include a tank sensor assembly configured to detect pressure in the buffer tank, and a control assembly configured to operate the fuel processing assembly between the run and standby modes based, at least in part, on the detected pressure in the buffer tank.

[0008]Some embodiments may provide a steam reforming hydrogen generation assembly configured to receive at least one feed stream and generate a reformate stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component and other gases. In some embodiments, the steam reforming hydrogen generation assembly may include an enclosure having an exhaust port, and a hydrogen-producing region contained within the enclosure and configured to produce, via a steam refor

Problems solved by technology

The generated or produced hydrogen

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