Process, technology preferential oxidation

As mentioned earlier, reformate from a fuel processor often needs addition processing to reduce the carbon monoxide levels. Researchers at the Stevens Institute of Technology are developing a microscale preferential oxidation (FrOx) reactor to decrease the carbon monoxide level in the reformate stream to below 100 ppm. As part of their research, they used advanced computational fluid dynamic modeling. 

Alternative technologies to the PSA process for H2 purification include, after the HTS reaction, a low-temperature shift (LTS) reaction followed by C02 scrubbing (e.g., monoethanolamine or hot potash).11 The LTS reaction can increase the H2 yield slightly. However, the product stream, after the HTS, needs to be cooled to about 220 °C. Preferential oxidation (Prox) and/or methanation reaction as shown in Equations 2.6 and 2.7, respectively, removes the traces of CO and C02. The product H2 has a purity of over 97%. 

Zalc and Loffler also proposed the application of plate heat-exchanger technology for the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide to improve the heat-management of the highly exothermic process [378]. 

A multicomponent Au/MgO/Pb catalyst has been reported for the preferential oxidation of CO in the presence of hydrogen, the so-called PROX process, which has possible applications in fuel-cell technology. ... 

PROX [PReferential OXidation of CO] A general term used in fuel cell technology for processes that remove CO from fuel gases by preferential oxidation. The usual catalyst is a supported precious metal. 

Designing a catalyst for the selective oxidation of CO in the presence of high concentrations of Hz is a major scientific challenge. Nevratheless, the selective catalytic oxidation of CO has been used to increase the production rate of existing ammonia synthesis plants. This reaction network also is a critical element in the developing technology for Hz-powered fuel cells. In this context, the process is referred to as PROX (preferential oxidation). 

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