Integrated reformer and syngas separator

Abstract

A reformer assembly for a fuel cell includes a vortex tube receiving heated fuel mixed with steam. A catalyst coats the inner wall of the main tube of the vortex tube and a hydrogen-permeable tube is positioned in the middle of the main tube coaxially with the main tube. With this combination of structure,

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reformer assembly, comprising:
 at least one vortex tube comprising a swirl chamber having a hydrocarbon input and a main tube segment communicating with the swirl chamber and having a first output juxtaposed with an inside surface of a wall of the main tube segment, the first output for outputting relatively hotter and heavier constituents of fluid provided at the hydrocarbon input;   at least one catalytic constituent on the inside surface of the wall of the main tube segment; and   at least one heat input to heat to vortex tube to promote reformation of Hydrogen and Carbon from the hydrocarbon input.   
     
     
         2 . A reformer assembly, comprising:
 at least one vortex tube comprising a swirl chamber having a hydrocarbon input and a main tube segment communicating with the swirl chamber and having a first output juxtaposed with an inside surface of a wall of the main tube segment, the first output for outputting relatively hotter and heavier constituents of fluid provided at the hydrocarbon input;   at least one catalytic constituent on the inside surface of the wall of the main tube segment;   at least one tube disposed centrally in the main tube segment and defining a second output at one end of the hydrogen-permeable tube for outputting at least one relatively lighter and cooler constituent of fluid provided at the hydrocarbon input; and   at least one heat input to heat to vortex tube to promote reformation of Hydrogen and Carbon from the hydrocarbon input.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one relatively lighter and cooler constituent includes hydrogen. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the relatively hotter and heavier constituents of fluid provided at the input include carbon. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the catalytic constituent includes include nickel and/or platinum and/or rhodium and/or palladium and/or gold. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a fuel cell connected to the second output. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising an engine connected to the first output. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the tube is a Hydrogen-permeable tube. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the engine is a turbine or an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising plural vortex tubes arranged in a toroidal configuration, a first vortex tube in the plural vortex tubes defining the input and providing fluid from the respective second output to an input of a next vortex tube in the plural vortex tubes. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a fuel reservoir for providing hydrocarbon fuel to the vortex tube, the fuel reservoir configured for receiving an exhaust of an engine to heat fuel within the fuel reservoir.