Autothermal reformer system with liquid desulfurizer for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system

Abstract

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a diesel reforming system, which includes: a diesel autothermal reformer; a liquid desulfurizer, which is arranged upstream of the diesel autothermal reformer and is configured to remove sulfur compounds from the diesel fuel before feeding into the diesel autothermal reformer; a burner, which is connected to the liquid desulfurizer and is configured to provide heat to the liquid desulfurizer; a regulating valve, which is connected to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner, and is configured to control the supply of diesel fuel to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner; and a post-reformer, which is arranged downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. non-provisional patent application serial number 16 / 907,731 filed on June 22, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to diesel reforming systems, and more particularly to diesel reforming systems having a liquid desulfurizer. Background Art

[0004] A fuel cell is a power generation system that converts the chemical reaction energy of hydrogen and an oxidant contained in a hydrocarbon-based material such as hydrogen, methanol, and ethanol into direct electrical energy. Since a fuel cell uses hydrogen as a fuel, the hydrogen used for the fuel cell can be obtained from hydrocarbon-based fuels such as methane, methanol, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel by steam reforming. According to the reforming method, fuel reformers can be divided into steam reforming, partial oxidation reforming, and autothermal reforming.

[0005] Steam reformers are suitable for fuels with high hydrogen content and short carbon chains in the reformed gas, such as methane and natural gas. In addition, the steam reforming reaction is suitable for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems with high operating temperatures because the reformed gas contains high temperatures. However, steam reformers consume a lot of heat to generate steam, so heat recovery is complicated, and for these reasons, the manufacturing cost of the reactor increases.

[0006] Partial oxidation reforming is a process in which a feed fuel (e.g. methane or a suitable hydrocarbonaceous fuel) undergoes an exothermic reaction in the presence of a small amount of air. However, the partial oxidation process cannot be used to gasify gasoline, diesel, methanol or ethanol due to the reduced energy content of the fuel. Summary of the invention

[0007] Diesel has high hydrogen volume density and weight density. This makes diesel reforming an attractive option for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems. Therefore, there is a continuous need for a diesel reformer using diesel fuel, which produces improved system efficiency. Some diesel reforming processes can remove sulfur compounds in diesel fuel downstream of the reformed diesel fuel. The operating temperature range of desulfurized diesel fuel can be lower than the operating temperature range of reformed diesel fuel. Therefore, in order to remove sulfur compounds from diesel fuel, the reformed diesel fuel can be cooled before desulfurization. In addition, in order to use this reformed and desulfurized diesel fuel for SOFC systems, the desulfurized diesel fuel can be heated to adapt to the operating temperature range of SOFC systems.

[0008] The presently described diesel reforming system and method can eliminate these cooling and heating steps.Thus, the described system and method for reforming diesel fuel can enable efficient and cost-effective conversion of diesel fuel into hydrogen and methane for solid oxide fuel cells.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, the diesel reforming system may include a diesel autothermal reformer; a liquid desulfurizer, which is arranged upstream of the diesel autothermal reformer and is configured to remove sulfur compounds from the diesel fuel before being fed into the diesel autothermal reformer; a burner, which is connected to the liquid desulfurizer and is configured to provide heat to the liquid desulfurizer; a regulating valve, which is connected to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner, and the regulating valve is configured to control the supply of diesel fuel to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner; and a post-reformer, which is arranged downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments, a diesel reforming method may include introducing a first diesel fuel feed into a burner, wherein the burner generates heat from combustion of the first diesel fuel feed; transferring the heat to a liquid desulfurizer, wherein the heat raises the temperature of the liquid desulfurizer to an operating temperature; introducing a second diesel fuel feed into the liquid desulfurizer, wherein the liquid desulfurizer removes sulfur compounds at an operating temperature to produce a desulfurized diesel fuel; introducing the desulfurized diesel fuel and air and steam into a diesel autothermal reformer to at least partially convert the desulfurized diesel fuel into a diesel reformate; and introducing the diesel reformate into a post-reformer disposed downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer, wherein the post-reformer selectively converts low carbon (C 2 -C 5 ) Hydrocarbons decompose into hydrogen and methane.

[0011] Additional features and advantages of the described embodiments will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or may be learned by practicing the described embodiments, including the following detailed description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure may be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a diesel reforming system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Reference will now be made in greater detail to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to diesel reformer systems and diesel reforming methods. Figure 1 , shows an embodiment of a diesel reforming system 100 . The diesel reforming system 100 includes a diesel autothermal reformer 110 and a liquid desulfurizer 130 disposed upstream of the diesel autothermal reformer 110 .

[0016] In operation, the diesel reforming system 1 can be performed as follows Figure 1 The following diesel reforming method is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the diesel reforming method may include introducing a first diesel fuel feed 14 into a burner 150, wherein the burner 150 generates heat 52 from the combustion of the first diesel fuel feed 14. The heat delivered to the liquid desulfurizer 130 raises the temperature of the liquid desulfurizer 130 to an operating temperature. A second diesel fuel feed 16 is then fed to the liquid desulfurizer 130. At the operating temperature, the liquid desulfurizer 130 removes sulfur compounds to produce a desulfurized diesel fuel 64. Referring again to Figure 1 The desulfurized diesel fuel 64, the air feed 42A and the steam 88 are introduced into a diesel autothermal reformer 110, wherein the desulfurized diesel fuel 64 is at least partially converted into a diesel reformate 72. Next, the diesel reformate 72 is transmitted to a post-reformer 120 disposed downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer 110, wherein the post-reformer 120 selectively converts the low carbon (C 2 -C 5 ) Hydrocarbons decompose into hydrogen and methane.

[0017] Reference again Figure 1 The diesel reforming system 1 may include a diesel fuel tank 10 containing a diesel fuel 12 for use in the diesel reforming system 1. The diesel fuel 12 may be pumped from the diesel fuel tank 10 using a pump 160. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the diesel fuel 12 can be supplied to a regulating valve 170, and the regulating valve 170 divides the diesel fuel 12 into the first diesel fuel feed 14 supplied to the burner 150 and the second diesel fuel feed 16 supplied to the liquid desulfurizer 130. The regulating valve 170 (which can be as Figure 1The regulating valve 170 (a three-way valve shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ) regulates the amount of diesel fuel supplied to the liquid desulfurizer 130 and the amount of diesel fuel supplied to the burner 150, which enables the regulating valve 170 to supply diesel fuel to the burner 150 while also heating the liquid desulfurizer 130. Various algorithms and control methods are expected to be used with the regulating valve 170, which controls the ratio of the first diesel fuel feed and the second diesel fuel feed supplied to the burner 150 and the liquid desulfurizer 130, respectively.

[0018] In addition, the diesel reforming system 1 also includes an air source 40B for the burner 150. The air feed 42B from the air source can be delivered to the burner 150 by a blower 180. In one embodiment, the burner 150 may include an atomizer nozzle 151 at the inlet of the burner 150. As shown in the figure, the first diesel fuel feed 14 and the air feed 42B are delivered to the atomizer nozzle 151, and then the atomized diesel fuel and air are injected into the burner 150 through the atomizer nozzle 151. The amount of diesel fuel supplied to the burner 150 in the first diesel fuel feed 14 can be changed according to the operation of the diesel autothermal reformer 110. In one embodiment, all of the first diesel fuel feed 14 supplied to the burner 150 can be completely burned at startup, so that the temperature of the liquid desulfurizer 130 is rapidly increased. The first diesel fuel feed 14 may have a smaller volume than the second diesel fuel feed 16 because the burner 150 requires a smaller amount of diesel fuel because the liquid desulfurizer 130 may be heated with a small amount of diesel fuel at steady state.

[0019] Various structural embodiments of the burner 150 are contemplated. In one embodiment, the burner 150 is a diesel burner including a diesel combustion catalyst. Various diesel combustion catalysts are considered suitable and are familiar to those skilled in the art, such as metal or organometallic catalysts containing one or more of iron, ceria, or platinum.

[0020] The operating temperature range of the burner 150 may be 650°C to 850°C, or 650°C to 800°C, or 650°C to 750°C, or 650°C to 700°C, or 700°C to 850°C, or 700°C to 800°C, or 700°C to 750°C, or 750°C to 850°C, or 750°C to 800°C, or 800°C to 850°C. The burner 150 may be operated within these temperature ranges to prevent damage to the combustion catalyst. In one embodiment, these operating temperature ranges of the burner 150 may be controlled by supplying additional air.

[0021] As previously described, the liquid desulfurizer 130 removes the sulfur components contained in the second diesel fuel feed 16. Various structures of the liquid desulfurizer 130 are envisioned. For example, the liquid desulfurizer 130 can be formed by a porous carrier (including a carrier having through holes along the fluid conveying direction), and the fluid passes through the porous carrier and impregnates the desulfurization catalyst. It is believed that various catalysts are suitable for desulfurization catalysts. In one or more embodiments, the desulfurization catalyst for the liquid desulfurizer 130 may include a multi-component catalyst, such as cobalt / molybdenum (CoMo) or nickel / molybdenum (NiMo). Since the liquid desulfurizer 130 is upstream of the diesel autothermal reformer 110, the catalyst is different from the catalyst commonly used in the downstream desulfurizer, and the downstream desulfurizer can generally use zinc oxide (ZnO). Although the present embodiment does not describe a downstream desulfurizer, it is expected that another downstream desulfurizer may be included.

[0022] From an operational perspective, the operating temperature range of the liquid desulfurizer 130 may be 200° C. to 400° C., or 250° C. to 400° C., or 300° C. to 400° C., or 200° C. to 350° C., or 250° C. to 350° C. The temperature of the liquid desulfurizer 130 may be increased and maintained by the heat 52 generated by the burner 150 .

[0023] The pressure of the liquid desulfurizer 130 may be 5 bar or more. The pressure of the liquid desulfurizer 130 may be 5 bar to 100 bar, or 5 bar to 95 bar, or 5 bar to 90 bar, or 10 bar to 100 bar, or 10 bar to 95 bar, or 10 bar to 90 bar.

[0024] Reference again Figure 1 , the pressure can be maintained by one or more valves 141, 142 near the liquid desulfurizer 130. The present embodiment may include a front valve 141 located upstream of the liquid desulfurizer 130 and a rear valve 142 located downstream of the liquid desulfurizer 130. The front valve 141 controls the injection entry pressure of the second diesel fuel feed 16, and the rear valve 142 is closed to establish the necessary pressure in the liquid desulfurizer 130. Subsequently, the desulfurized diesel fuel 64 is discharged under a certain pressure while the rear valve is at least partially opened. In one embodiment, the pressure of the desulfurized diesel fuel 64 can act on an atomizer nozzle 111 disposed upstream of the diesel autothermal reformer 110 to help atomize the diesel fuel.

[0025] Reference again Figure 1, the diesel autothermal reformer 110 includes an air feed 42A and at least one steam feed 88. The air feed 42A is delivered by a blower 156, which is in communication with the air source 40A. The steam feed is generated by a water source 30, which can be a reservoir, a water tank, etc. Water 82 is drawn from the water source 30 via a pump 193 and can then be passed into a distribution valve 194. As shown in the figure, the distribution valve 194 (which can be as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The three-way valve shown in the embodiment of the present invention can guide the first water feed 84 to the first heat exchanger 191, wherein the first water feed 84 is converted into a first steam feed 88 via heat exchange with the combustion product 54 (high temperature gas discharged from the burner 150). The high temperature gas discharged from the first heat exchanger 191 can be discharged into the atmosphere as an exhaust stream 96. In addition, the distribution valve 194 can also guide the second water feed 86 to the second heat exchanger 192, wherein the second water feed 86 is converted into a second steam feed 88 via heat exchange with the post-reformer product 74 (high temperature gas discharged from the post-reformer 120). The high temperature reformed gas stream 92 discharged from the second heat exchanger 192 can be injected into a solid oxide fuel cell stack (not shown).

[0026] Although various heat exchanger types are contemplated, in the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 191 and the second heat exchanger 192 are shell and tube heat exchangers. The amount of steam supplied to the diesel autothermal reformer 110 through the first heat exchanger 191 and the amount of steam supplied to the diesel autothermal reformer 110 through the second heat exchanger 192 can vary depending on the operating conditions of the system. Similar to the regulating valve 170 discussed above, various algorithms and control methods are contemplated for use with the distribution valve 194, which controls the ratio of the first steam feed 88 and the second steam feed 94 supplied to the diesel autothermal reformer 110.

[0027] From an operational perspective, the diesel autothermal reformer 110 performs a reforming reaction that converts the desulfurized diesel fuel 64 to produce a diesel reformate 72, i.e., a hydrogen-rich fuel. The diesel reformate 72 includes syngas (i.e., hydrogen and carbon monoxide). The reforming reaction performed by the diesel autothermal reformer 110 is as follows:

[0028] C n H m +aO 2 +bH 2 O→cH 2 +dCO+eCO 2 +fH 2O (n, m, a, b, c, d, e and f are all rational numbers and can be controlled by changing the reaction conditions)

[0029] As previously described, the atomizer nozzle 111 is disposed near the inlet of the diesel autothermal reformer 110. The desulfurized diesel fuel 64 and the air feed 42A are introduced into the diesel autothermal reformer 110 through the atomizer nozzle 111, thereby atomizing the diesel fuel. In addition, the desulfurized diesel fuel 64 flows into the atomizer nozzle 111 at a sufficient pressure to facilitate atomization.

[0030] The diesel autothermal reformer 110 utilizes high pressure and high temperature operating conditions. For example, the operating temperature of the diesel autothermal reformer 110 can be at least 700° C., or 750° C. to 1100° C., or 750° C. to 850° C. In addition, the operating pressure of the diesel autothermal reformer 110 under atmospheric conditions can be at least 0.5 bar, or 0.5 to 1.5 bar, or 1.0 to 1.5 bar, or about 1 bar.

[0031] Various structural embodiments of the diesel autothermal reformer 110 are contemplated. The inner and outer partition walls of the diesel autothermal reformer 110 may be formed of any material having high durability and excellent heat transfer efficiency at high temperatures (about 800° C.). For example, the inner and outer partition walls may be substantially formed of stainless steel. In another embodiment, the diesel autothermal reformer includes a porous carrier (including a carrier having through holes along the fluid transport direction), through which the fluid passes and impregnates the catalyst. In one or more embodiments, the catalyst includes a precious metal catalyst. Various catalysts suitable for autothermal reforming reactions between the supplied diesel fuel, water and air are contemplated herein. The precious metal catalyst may include Pt, Rh, Ru and mixtures thereof. The catalyst may be supported or unsupported. In a supported catalyst embodiment, the catalyst support may include alumina, silica, cerium dioxide or a combination thereof. Although various amounts of precious metal catalysts are considered suitable, the amount of the precious metal catalyst may be controlled according to the type of hydrocarbon-based fuel to be reformed, the amount of fuel supplied, and the like.

[0032] Reference again Figure 1 The diesel reformate 72 is introduced into the post-reformer 120 disposed downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer 110. Here, the post-reformer 120 selectively converts the low carbon (C 2 -C 5 ) hydrocarbons are decomposed into a post-reforming product 74 containing hydrogen and methane. In detail, the low-carbon hydrocarbons (C 2 -C 5) reacts with the hydrogen and steam contained in the diesel reformate 72 to selectively decompose into hydrogen and methane.

[0033] The inlet of the post-reformer 120 utilizes high temperature and high pressure operating conditions. For example, the operating temperature range of the inlet of the post-reformer 120 can be 650° C. to 850° C., or 650° C. to 800° C., or 700° C. to 850° C., or 700° C. to 800° C., or about 750° C. In addition, the operating pressure of the inlet of the post-reformer 120 under atmospheric conditions can be at least 0.5 bar, or 0.5 to 1.5 bar, or 1.0 to 1.5 bar, or about 1 bar.

[0034] The outlet of the post-reformer 120 utilizes high temperature and high pressure operating conditions. For example, the operating temperature range of the outlet of the post-reformer 120 may be 450°C to 800°C, or 450°C to 750°C, or 450°C to 700°C, or 450°C to 650°C, or 450°C to 600°C, or 500°C to 800°C, or 500°C to 750°C, or 500°C to 700°C, or 500°C to 650°C, or 500°C to 600°C, or 550°C to 800°C, or 550°C to 750°C, or 550°C to 700°C, or 550°C to 650°C, or 550°C to 600°C. In addition, the operating pressure of the outlet of the post-reformer 120 under atmospheric conditions may be at least 0.5 bar, or 0.5 to 1.5 bar, or 1.0 to 1.5 bar, or about 1 bar.

[0035] The post-reformer product 74 (high-temperature reformed gas exhausted from the post-reformer 120 ) is used as a heat source for the second heat exchanger 192 , and then the exhaust product of the second heat exchanger 192 may be supplied to a solid oxide fuel cell stack (not shown).

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the post-reformer 120 includes a post-reforming catalyst formed by a transition metal, a noble metal or a mixture thereof. In one or more embodiments, the transition metal of the post-reforming catalyst includes Ni, Mg and a mixture thereof, and the noble metal includes Pt, Rh, Pd, Ru and a mixture thereof. Similar to the diesel autothermal reforming catalyst, the post-reforming catalyst can be supported or unsupported. In a supported catalyst embodiment, the catalyst carrier may include alumina, silica, ceria or a combination thereof. Similar to the diesel autothermal reformer 110, the post-reformer 120 can be formed by a porous carrier (including a carrier having through holes along the fluid transport direction), and the fluid passes through the porous carrier and impregnates the post-reforming catalyst.

[0037] The diesel reforming system and method of the present disclosure can heat the diesel fuel before reforming the diesel fuel. The diesel reforming system and method may not require additional heating, cooling, or both of the diesel fuel. Therefore, the system and method for reforming diesel fuel can enable efficient and cost-effective conversion of diesel fuel into hydrogen and methane for SOFC.

[0038] Example

[0039] The following examples illustrate one or more additional features of the present disclosure. It should be understood that these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure or the appended claims in any way.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] Embodiment 1 has Figure 1 The configuration and features of the system 1 shown are carried out in a pilot plant. In Example 1, a diesel fuel that meets the fuel quality standards set by the Korean Ministry of Environment is introduced into a liquid desulfurizer at a flow rate of 8.4 mL / min. At the liquid desulfurizer, the temperature of the diesel fuel changes from 25°C (the inlet of the liquid desulfurizer) to 250°C (the outlet of the liquid desulfurizer) in a liquid state. In order to heat the diesel fuel, 1kW of power generation in the SOFC requires 90W of energy (energy loss of 9%). The liquid desulfurizer removes sulfur compounds from the diesel fuel (from 10ppm (the inlet of the liquid desulfurizer) to 10ppb (the outlet of the liquid desulfurizer)) to produce desulfurized diesel fuel. The content of sulfur compounds is measured by using a gas detection tube manufactured by Gastec Co., Ltd. The desulfurized diesel fuel is introduced into a diesel autothermal reformer with air and steam to convert the desulfurized diesel fuel into a diesel reforming product. The temperature of the desulfurized diesel fuel changes from 850°C (the inlet of the diesel autothermal reformer) to 780°C (the outlet of the diesel autothermal reformer). At the outlet of the diesel autothermal reformer, the sulfur compound content of the diesel reformed product is less than 10 ppb. The diesel reformed product is sent out of the diesel autothermal reformer and introduced into the post-reformer. As shown in Table 1, the post-reformer converts the C 2 -C 5 Hydrocarbons are decomposed into hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane. The temperature of the diesel reformate changes from 780°C (inlet of the post-reformer) to 670°C (outlet of the post-reformer). Hydrogen and methane are directly introduced into the SOFC system without any cooling or heating process.

[0042] Table 1

[0043] <![CDATA[Composition (Wt.%) - without H 2 O and N 2 > Diesel reforming products hydrogen 59.4wt.% Carbon monoxide 12.1wt.% carbon dioxide 28.4wt.% Methane Trace amount (<0.1wt.%)

[0044] Comparative Example 2

[0045] Comparative Example 2 was carried out in a pilot plant having an autothermal reformer, a post-reformer disposed downstream of the autothermal reformer, and a desulfurizer disposed downstream of the post-reformer. The autothermal reformer, the post-reformer, and the desulfurizer were combined into a single reactor unit. In Comparative Example 2, diesel fuel meeting the fuel quality standards set by the Korean Ministry of Environment was introduced into an autothermal reformer with air and steam to convert the diesel fuel into a diesel reformate. The flow rate was measured at the inlet of the autothermal reformer. The temperature of the diesel fuel changed from 850°C (inlet of the autothermal reformer) to 780°C (outlet of the autothermal reformer). In Comparative Example 2, the composition of each stream is shown in Table 2. The diesel reformate was introduced into the post-reformer to produce a diesel post-reformate. The temperature of the diesel reformate changed from 780°C (inlet of the post-reformer) to 670°C (outlet of the post-reformer). The diesel post-reformate was sent out from the post-reformer and cooled with water (from 670°C to 450°C). In order to cool the diesel post-reformate, 274W of energy is required for 1kW of power generation in SOFC (energy loss of 27.4%). The cooled diesel post-reformate is introduced into a desulfurizer to remove sulfur compounds (from 10ppm to less than 10ppb) from the cooled diesel post-reformate. The temperature of the cooled diesel post-reformate changes from 450°C (inlet of the desulfurizer) to 300°C (outlet of the desulfurizer). After removing the sulfur compounds, the desulfurized diesel post-reformate is heated to adapt to the operating temperature range of the SOFC system (500-700°C) and introduced into the SOFC system.

[0046] Table 2

[0047]

[0048] Comparison of Example 1 and Comparative Example 2

[0049] The method of Example 1 is compared with the method of Comparative Example 2. The method of Example 1 utilizes a liquid desulfurizer and avoids the cooling and heating steps of the post-reformed product, so that the diesel fuel can be more efficiently converted into hydrogen and methane (the energy loss of Example 1 is 9%, and the energy loss of Comparative Example 2 is 27.4%). In addition, in Example 1, hydrogen and methane are directly introduced into the SOFC system without any cooling or heating process, because the temperature of hydrogen and methane at the outlet of the post-reformer (670°C) meets the operating temperature range of the SOFC system (500-700°C). In contrast, in Comparative Example 2, the diesel post-reformed product is cooled with water before being introduced into the desulfurizer. In addition, before being introduced into the SOFC system, the desulfurized diesel post-reformed product is heated to adapt to the operating temperature range of the SOFC system (500-700°C).

[0050] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a diesel reforming system, comprising: a diesel autothermal reformer; a liquid desulfurizer, which is arranged upstream of the diesel autothermal reformer and is configured to remove sulfur compounds from the diesel fuel before being fed into the diesel autothermal reformer; a burner, which is connected to the liquid desulfurizer and is configured to provide heat to the liquid desulfurizer; a regulating valve, which is connected to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner, and is configured to control the supply of diesel fuel to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner; and a post-reformer, which is arranged downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer.

[0051] A second aspect of the present disclosure may include the first aspect, wherein the burner is a diesel burner including a diesel combustion catalyst.

[0052] A third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the first aspect or the second aspect, further comprising a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the burner, the first heat exchanger being configured to convert water into steam using high temperature gas exhausted from the burner.

[0053] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the burner, the second heat exchanger being configured to convert water into steam using high temperature reformed gas exhausted from the diesel autothermal reformer.

[0054] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a distribution valve for distributing and supplying water to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0055] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the post-reformer is disposed downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer.

[0056] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the post-reformer includes a precious metal catalyst, a transition metal catalyst, or a combination thereof.

[0057] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the diesel autothermal reformer includes a precious metal catalyst.

[0058] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a diesel reforming method, comprising introducing a first diesel fuel feed into a burner, wherein the burner generates heat from the combustion of the first diesel fuel feed; transferring the heat to a liquid desulfurizer, wherein the heat raises the temperature of the liquid desulfurizer to an operating temperature; introducing a second diesel fuel feed into the liquid desulfurizer, wherein the liquid desulfurizer removes sulfur compounds at an operating temperature to produce a desulfurized diesel fuel; introducing the desulfurized diesel fuel and air and steam into a diesel autothermal reformer to at least partially convert the desulfurized diesel fuel into a diesel reforming product; and introducing the diesel reforming product into a post-reformer disposed downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer, wherein the post-reformer selectively converts low carbon (C 2 -C 5 ) Hydrocarbons decompose into hydrogen and methane.

[0059] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure may include the ninth aspect, further comprising controlling the supply of diesel fuel to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner using a regulating valve.

[0060] An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure may include any of the ninth or tenth aspects, wherein the diesel reformate includes synthesis gas.

[0061] A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, wherein the diesel autothermal reformer includes a precious metal catalyst.

[0062] A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, wherein the post-reformer includes a precious metal catalyst, a transition metal catalyst, or a combination thereof.

[0063] A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, further comprising converting water into the steam using high temperature gas exhausted from the burner.

[0064] A fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure may include any one of the ninth to fourteenth aspects, further comprising converting water into the steam using a high-temperature reformed gas exhausted from the post-reformer.

[0065] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Since those skilled in the art may conceive of modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and changes of the disclosed embodiments that incorporate the spirit and essence of the present disclosure, the scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted as including all contents within the scope of the attached claims and their equivalent technologies.

[0066] It should be understood that any two quantitative values ​​assigned to an attribute may constitute a range for that attribute, and all combinations of ranges formed by all said quantitative values ​​for a given attribute are contemplated in the present disclosure. It should be understood that in one or more embodiments, the composition range of a chemical ingredient in a composition or formulation should be understood as a mixture of isomers containing that ingredient. It should be understood that the embodiments provide composition ranges for various compositions, and the total amount of isomers of a particular chemical composition may constitute a range.

[0067] It should be noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term "wherein" as a transitional phrase. For purposes of defining the present technology, it should be noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open transitional phrase that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of features of a structure and should be interpreted in a manner similar to the more commonly used open-ended term "comprising."

[0068] The subject matter of the present disclosure has been described in detail and by reference to specific embodiments, and it should be noted that the various details described in the present disclosure should not be considered to imply that these details relate to elements that are basic components of the various embodiments described in the present disclosure, even if specific elements are shown in each of the drawings accompanying this specification. On the contrary, the attached claims should be regarded as the only representation of the breadth of the present disclosure and the corresponding scope of the various embodiments described in the present disclosure. In addition, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, this specification is intended to cover modifications and changes of the various described embodiments described, as long as these modifications and changes fall within the scope of the attached claims and their equivalent technologies.

Claims

1. A diesel reforming method comprising: introducing a first diesel fuel feed into a burner, wherein the burner generates heat from combustion of the first diesel fuel feed; transferring the heat to a liquid desulfurizer, wherein the heat raises the temperature of the liquid desulfurizer to an operating temperature; introducing a second diesel fuel feed into the liquid desulfurizer, wherein the liquid desulfurizer removes sulfur compounds at an operating temperature to produce a desulfurized diesel fuel; introducing the desulfurized diesel fuel and air and steam into a diesel autothermal reformer to at least partially convert the desulfurized diesel fuel into a diesel reformate; and The diesel reformate is introduced into a post-reformer disposed downstream of the diesel autothermal reformer, wherein the post-reformer selectively decomposes low-carbon (C2-C5) hydrocarbons in the diesel reformate into hydrogen and methane.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the supply of diesel fuel to the liquid desulfurizer and the burner using a regulating valve.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The diesel reformate includes synthesis gas.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The diesel autothermal reformer includes a precious metal catalyst.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The post-reformer includes a noble metal catalyst, a transition metal catalyst, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting water into the steam using high temperature gas exhausted from the burner. 7 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising converting water into the steam using high-temperature reformed gas exhausted from the post-reformer.

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