Mark J Hagan

US Patent:

6641625, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

May 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/563677

Inventors:

Lawrence G. Clawson - Dover MA
Matthew H. Dorson - Arlington MA
William L. Mitchell - Belmont MA
Brian J. Nowicki - Medford MA
Johannes Thijssen - Cambridge MA
Robert Davis - Waterbeach, GB
Christopher Papile - Arlington MA
Jennifer W. Rumsey - Glenwood IN
Nathan Longo - Calais VT
Vincent Rizzo - Stoughton MA
Gunther Kleeburg - Lexington MA
Michael Rindone - Reading MA
Stephen G. Block - Petersham MA
Maria Sun - Melrose MA
Brian D. Morriseau - Woburn MA
Mark R. Hagan - Somerville MA
Brian Bowers - Cambridge MA

Assignee:

Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

B01J 804

US Classification:

481279, 48 61, 48 62 R, 48 63, 48119, 48120, 48128, 422187, 422191, 422192, 422194, 422211, 422198, 422235

Abstract:

A hydrocarbon reformer system including a first reactor configured to generate hydrogen-rich reformate by carrying out at least one of a non-catalytic thermal partial oxidation, a catalytic partial oxidation, a steam reforming, and any combinations thereof, a second reactor in fluid communication with the first reactor to receive the hydrogen-rich reformate, and having a catalyst for promoting a water gas shift reaction in the hydrogen-rich reformate, and a heat exchanger having a first mass of two-phase water therein and configured to exchange heat between the two-phase water and the hydrogen-rich reformate in the second reactor, the heat exchanger being in fluid communication with the first reactor so as to supply steam to the first reactor as a reactant is disclosed. The disclosed reformer includes an auxiliary reactor configured to generate heated water/steam and being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger of the second reactor to supply the heated water/steam to the heat exchanger.

US Patent:

6861169, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

May 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/141493

Inventors:

Mark R. Hagan - Somerville MA, US
Matthew H. Dorson - Arlington MA, US
Lawrence G. Clawson - Dover MA, US
Michael Leschiner - Norwood MA, US

Assignee:

Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

H01M008/18

US Classification:

429 20, 429 12, 429 26

Abstract:

Interconnection layouts are described that are particularly effective in the construction of a steam reformer/fuel cell combination for providing domestic heat and/or hot water as well as electricity. A distinguishing feature of the interconnections is that they permit the operator to optimize the efficiency of operation of the integrated system, and provide a higher efficiency at optimum operation compared to prior art designs. Combinations of reformer/fuel cell systems with conventional furnaces or boilers are also described.

US Patent:

6916564, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Dec 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/335538

Inventors:

Lawrence G. Clawson - Dover MA, US
Christopher J. O'Brien - Watertown MA, US
Mark R. Hagan - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

H01M008/04
H01M008/12
H01M002/00
H01M002/02

US Classification:

429 17, 429 26, 429 34

Abstract:

A hydrogen fuel cell power system having improved efficiency comprises a fuel cell, a source of hydrogen gas, a compressor for creating a pressurized air stream, and a liquid supply which is heated by waste heat form the power system and evaporates into the pressurized air stream to produce a pressurized air and steam mixture. The pressurized air/steam mixture, which is preferably used as the oxidant in the fuel cell, is combusted with fuel in a burner to produce a high-temperature steam-laden exhaust stream. The high-temperature steam-laden exhaust stream drives an expander to produce a power output, and a power take-off from the expander uses the expander power to, for instance, drive an electrical generator, or drive other system components. The evaporation of liquid can take place external to the fuel cell, or can take place directly within the fuel cell, preferably using a cooling liquid that is directly injected into the fuel cell. The fuel cell power system advantageously uses the low-temperature waste heat of the fuel cell to evaporate liquid into the pressurized air, resulting in a steam/air mixture having a relatively large expansion potential.

US Patent:

6921595, Jul 26, 2005

Filed:

May 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/870412

Inventors:

Lawrence G. Clawson - Dover MA, US
Mark R. Hagan - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

H01M008/04
H01M008/18
H01M008/00
H01M008/12
H01M002/00

US Classification:

429 17, 429 13, 429 19, 429 26, 429 34

Abstract:

The efficiency of a combination reformer/fuel cell system is significantly improved by recapturing the energy value of heat generated in the fuel cell and producing additional power. The cooling water from the fuel cell is mixed, entirely or in part, with sufficient or excess compressed air, and at least partially evaporates in the compressed air. The air is at least sufficient to support the oxidative reactions in the fuel cell and also to serve as oxidant in a burner that provides heat to reform fuel/steam mixtures into hydrogen-containing reformate. This air/steam mixture, after leaving the fuel cell, is further heated by heat exchange with the reformate stream and reformate-producing modules, and with the exhaust stream of the burner. The steam/air mixture is injected into the burner, optionally after superheating in the burner exhaust, and is reacted with fuel in the burner. The burner exhaust may be used to provide heat to a fuel reforming reaction.

US Patent:

7367996, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Dec 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/012195

Inventors:

Lawrence G. Clawson - Dover MA, US
Mark R. Hagan - Somerville MA, US
Chunming Frank Qi - Lexington MA, US
William F. Northrop - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. - Billerica MA

International Classification:

B01J 7/00
B01J 19/00

US Classification:

48 61, 481279, 48 94, 48102 A, 422129, 422188, 422196, 422198, 422200, 422201, 422205

Abstract:

A hydrocarbon fuel processing reactor for generating a hydrogen-enriched reformate from hydrocarbons is disclosed. A plurality of shells are arranged coaxially having a gap defined between each of the successive shells, thereby forming a plurality of coaxial zones. The shells are configured to permit heat transfer from one zone to another. Fluid streams for reactions within the reactor are preheated by heat transfer from adjacent zones.

US Patent:

7507384, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Jun 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/463763

Inventors:

Darryl Pollica - Medford MA, US
William F. Northrop - Ann Arbor MI, US
Mark R. Hagan - New Haven CT, US
Alexis Smith - Berkeley CA, US
Lawrence Clawson - Dover MA, US

Assignee:

Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. - Billerica MA

International Classification:

B01J 8/04

US Classification:

422191, 422192, 422194, 422211, 422235, 48 61, 481279, 48120

Abstract:

According to the present invention, a temperature profile within a preferential oxidation reactor is controlled using a two phase water/steam system to provide a temperature range within the reactor () which favors the selective oxidation of CO in a hydrogen rich reformate stream. The reformate is flowed in a mixture with oxygen over a preferential oxidation catalyst (). The temperature profile is controlled by flowing a stream of water proximate to the preferential oxidation catalyst () so as the stream of water and the reformate stream passing over the catalyst () are in a heat transfer arrangement. The stream of water is maintained as a two phase stream from a point at which the water reaches its boiling temperature to a point proximate an outlet from which the stream of water exits the reactor ().

US Patent:

20030118489, Jun 26, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/324906

Inventors:

Mark Hagan - Cambridge MA, US
William Northrop - Cambridge MA, US
Jian Zhao - Boston MA, US

International Classification:

C01B003/32

US Classification:

422/191000, 048/198600, 048/1970FM, 048/127900, 048/119000, 048/113000, 048/06200R, 422/193000, 422/200000, 422/204000, 422/211000

Abstract:

A housing containing two or more individual operating components called modules is disclosed. The modules themselves are independently contained in one or more vessels with attendant connectivity structures such as pipes, tubes, wires and the like. Each such vessel or device is configured to conduct at least one unit reaction or operation necessary or desired for generating or purifying a hydrogen enriched product gas formed from a hydrocarbon feed stock. Any vessel or zone in which such a unit operation is conducted, and is separately housed with respect at least one other vessel or zone for conducting a unit operation, is considered a module. Unit reactions or operations include: chemical reaction; combusting fuel for heat (burner); partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon feed stock; desulfurization of, or adsorbing impurities in, the hydrocarbon feed stock or product stream (“reformate”); steam reforming or autothermal reforming of the hydrocarbon feed stock or pre-processed (“reformate”) product stream; water-gas shifting of a pre-processed (reformate) stream; selective or preferential oxidation of pre-processed (reformate) stream; heat exchange for preheating fuel, air, or water; reactant mixing; steam generation; water separation from steam, preheating of reactants such as air, hydrocarbon fuel, and water, and the like.

US Patent:

20030154655, Aug 21, 2003

Filed:

Feb 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/373396

Inventors:

Prashant Chintawar - Boxborough MA, US
Craig Thompson - Marlboro MA, US
Mark Hagan - Somerville MA, US

International Classification:

C01B003/16
C01B003/24

US Classification:

048/198300, 423/656000, 048/198700, 048/061000, 048/06200R, 048/089000, 048/128000, 422/189000, 422/190000, 422/211000, 422/198000

Abstract:

A process for converting carbon monoxide and water in a reformate stream into carbon dioxide and hydrogen comprising: generating a reformate by reacting a hydrocarbon via partial oxidation, steam reforming, or both, including autothermal reforming; and promoting a water gas shift in the reformate in the presence of a platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium and mixtures thereof, supported on zirconium oxide. The platinum group metal advantageously may be supported directly on a monolithic substrate composed of zirconium oxide.