Fuel-cell reactor

Abstract

A reactor containing one or more spiral paths adapted to facilitate the reaction of feed stock, syn-gas with a catalyst or catalysts, for the purpose of synthesizing multiple longer chains of hydrocarbons where there the reactor is further adapted to manage the inflow of syn-gas feed stock, the outflow of hydrocarbon products the recycling of catalysts to ensure minimal maintenance interruptions, where the solid catalyst nodules are of a geometry and size contusive to fluid like movement through the reactor and through a regenerative catalysts management operation. The unit operates with minimal support infrastructure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a number of elements including:   a Fischer-Tropsch reactor;   an integrated power source;   filter and processing equipment to extract impurities form air, water and short chain gaseous hydrocarbon feed stock;   a boiler to produce high pressure steam;   a methane to synthesis gas (syn-gas) reformer;   a waste water purification system; and   a catalyst management system;   wherein the system is portable;   wherein the elements are communicably coupled and are contained in a single housing of dimensions meeting intermodal shipping container requirements.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor allows at least one of catalyst removal, inspection, replacement regeneration, or re-activation without reactor shutdown. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst management system removes catalysts from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor while it is in operation, and inspects the catalyst for degradation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst management system utilizes chemical and mechanical techniques to reactivate the catalyst and either reinsert it in the Fischer-Tropsch reactor or replace it from a ready supply. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the catalyst management system retains any replaced catalyst or chemicals for future use or disposal. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein waste product water is purified via the filter and processing equipment and reused as water feed stock. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is powered by the short chain gaseous hydrocarbon feed stock. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is powered by long chain liquid hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elements further include automated sensors and measurement and control equipment which are used to adjust processes within the portable system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the processes are regulated by an automated control computer utilizing the automated sensors and the measurement and control equipment. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an excess of electrical power is produced, by the integrated power source, and conditioned for on-sight needs. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein waste product water produced by the Fischer-Tropsch reactor is purified and conditioned for on-site needs. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 a Fischer-Tropsch reactor including one or more spiral paths that facilitate a reaction of synthesis gas (syn-gas) feed stock with at least one catalyst;   wherein the reaction synthesizes multiple longer chains of hydrocarbons;   wherein the reactor manages an inflow of the syn-gas feed stock and an outflow of hydrocarbon products;   wherein the catalyst is a solid catalyst of a geometry and size conducive to fluid like movement through the reactor and through a regenerative catalyst management system.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the geometry of the catalyst increases a contact time between the syn-gas and the catalyst. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the catalyst is autonomously inspected for degradation and restored to a more efficient function via the catalyst management system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the catalyst management system utilizes chemical and mechanical techniques to remove contaminants from the catalyst. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the catalyst management system autonomously evaluates an effectiveness of the contaminant removal. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the catalyst management system substitutes a new catalyst for the catalyst if the contaminant removal is not effective. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the new catalyst is located on-board the system. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the contaminated catalyst is retained for future use or disposal.