US3620697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for producing hydrogen
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1970-02-24
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1990-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for producing hydrogen utilizing an inert particulate material as a heat transfer medium, fluidizing the particulate material to convey same to the reaction zone wherein, inter alia, hydrogen is formed, and heating the particulate material while so conveyed.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald K Wunderlich
- 👤 Finis E Carleton
- 👤 Eugene R Brownscombe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:54
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10J; C10J3/00; C10J3/02; C10J3/06; C10J3/12; C10J3/20; C10J3/34; C10J3/36; C10J3/46; C10J3/48; C10J3/482; C10J3/72; C10J3/74; C10J2300/00; C10J2300/09; C10J2300/0913; C10J2300/093; C10J2300/0943; C10J2300/0946; C10J2300/0953; C10J2300/0956; C10J2300/0959; C10J2300/0973; C10J2300/0976; C10J2300/0983; C10J2300/0993; C10J2300/16; C10J2300/1603; C10J2300/1606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for introducing reactants into said reaction chamber comprises at least one conduit means operatively connected to at least one of the upper and lower portions of said reaction chamber, said means for removing reaction products from said reaction chamber comprises at least one conduit means operatively connected to at least one of the upper and lower portions of said reaction chamber, said first conduit means is adapted to move its contents downwardly from said conveying-heating chamber to said reaction chamber to provide for gravity feeding of material from said conveying-heating chamber to said reaction chamber, said second conduit means is adapted to move its contents downwardly from said reaction chamber to said conveying-heating chamber to provide for gravity feeding of material from said reaction chamber to said conveying-heating chamber, said means for introducing reactants and a fluidizing fluid into said conveying-heating chamber comprises at least one conduit means for introducing said reactants into said conveying-heating chamber and at least one separate conduit means for introducing fluidizing fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein valve means are carried by each said first and second conduit means to help regulate the flow of material therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said reaction chamber and conveying-heating chamber are upright and substantially side by side, a grate means in the lower portion of said reaction chamber to separate said reaction product from said particulate material, said grate means being in alignment with said second conduit means and tilted to aid in gravity feeding of said particulate material from said reaction chamber into said second conduit means, said conduit means for removing reaction products being connected to said reaction chamber below said grate means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said reaction chamber and conveying-heating chamber are upright and substantially side by side, said conveying-heating chamber having a vented accumulation chamber in operative connection between the upper portion of said conveying-heating chamber and said first conduit means, said accumulator chamber being above said reaction chamber to thereby collect heated particulate material to be fed downward into said second conduit means and separate gas from said heated particulate material before feeding same through said second conduit means into said reaction chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a hydrogen production method wherein carbon is reacted in a reaction zone with water to form in part hydrogen and carbon monoxide or a hydrocarbon is thermally cracked in a reaction zone to form in part hydrogen, the heat transfer medium for the reaction being an inert particulate material, the improvement comprising conveying said particulate material to said reaction zone by fluidizing said particulate material with gas, at least part of said fluidizing gas being an externally supplied oxidizing gas and an externally supplied carbonaceous fuel material, heating the fluidized mixture to burn said externally supplied carbonaceous fuel material and to heat said particulate material while it is being conveyed to said reaction zone, said heating of said particulate material during conveyance being sufficient so that the heated particulate material is charged directly to the reaction zone without further heating, and separating the gases associAted with the heated particulate material including entrained gases before the heated particulate material is introduced into the reaction zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said fluidizing gas is said oxidizing gas and said oxidizing gas is air, carbonaceous fuel material is burned substantially to form carbon dioxide, and at least the nitrogen gas present with the heated particulate material is separated by venting before the heated particulate material is introduced into the reaction zone thereby avoiding mixing nitrogen from the air with the hydrogen formed in the reaction zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said carbonaceous fuel material is the same material used as the carbon source in said reaction zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the carbon source is one of coal, coke, coal char, and mixtures of two or more thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said particulate material is recovered from said reaction zone and conveyed by said fluidizing step to another portion of said reaction zone for reintroduction thereinto after heating by said burning of carbonaceous fuel material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein a hydrocarbon having from 1 to 10, inclusive, carbon atoms per molecule is thermally cracked in said reaction zone, and said oxidizing gas is air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature of at least about 1,200* F. and a pressure of at least about 5 p.s.i.g., using carbon source to water ratio range of from about 0.05/1 to about 1/0.05.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |