DE112016002284B4 - Vortex tube reformer for hydrogen production, as well as processes for hydrogen separation - Google Patents

Abstract

An arrangement comprising: at least one vortex tube having an inlet and at least one hydrogen outlet; andat least one reformer mechanism associated with the vortex tube for removing hydrogen from carbon in molecules of hydrocarbon fuel input to the inlet, the reformer mechanism including a catalytic component in the vortex tube and heated water vapor flowing with the hydrocarbon fuel into the vortex tube wherein the vortex tube comprises a vortex chamber, wherein the inlet of the vortex tube leads into the vortex chamber, wherein the vortex tube comprises a main tube segment that is in communication with the vortex chamber and a carbon outlet that is different from the hydrogen outlet, wherein the said inlet is located between the hydrogen outlet and the carbon outlet, a mixer vessel for receiving the heated water vapor injected into the vortex tube along with the hydrocarbon fuel, said mixer vessel in fluid communication ung stands with a water tank and a hydrocarbon fuel tank; andwherein said vortex tube is adapted to form hydrogen by reforming the hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon fuel obtained along with the heated water vapor.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present application relates generally to vortex tube reformers for synthesis gas production, hydrogen separation and injection for engines and fuel cells, and a method for separating hydrogen with the aid of such a vortex tube.

Such a vortex tube reformer is from the document, for example US 2009/0060805 A1 known. Further devices for separating hydrogen are from the documents US 2014/0346055 A1 , US 6521205 B1 , US 3546891 A and WO 2014/093560 A1 known.

SUMMARY

The present invention proposes an arrangement with at least one vortex tube according to claim 1 and a method for separating hydrogen with the aid of at least one vortex tube according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

An arrangement thus comprises at least one vortex tube with an inlet and a hydrogen outlet. A reformer mechanism is associated with the vortex tube to remove hydrogen from carbon in molecules of hydrocarbon fuel that is introduced to the inlet. The reformer mechanism includes a catalytic component in the vortex tube and / or heated water vapor that is injected into the vortex tube along with the hydrocarbon fuel.

The vortex tube comprises a vortex chamber, the inlet of the vortex tube leading into the vortex chamber. The vortex tube may also include a main tube segment that is in communication with the vortex chamber and has an outlet other than the hydrogen outlet. A fuel inlet of an engine may be in fluid communication with the outlet other than the hydrogen outlet of the vortex tube. Furthermore, the outlet, which is different from the hydrogen outlet, may adjoin an inner surface of a wall of the main pipe segment. A catalytic component may be disposed on the inner surface of the wall of the main pipe segment.

In some embodiments, a hydrogen-permeable pipe is arranged centrally in the main pipe segment and forms the hydrogen outlet at one end of the hydrogen-permeable pipe.

In some embodiments, a plurality of vortex tubes may be provided and arranged in a toroidal configuration, with a first vortex tube of the plurality of vortex tubes forming the inlet of the vortex tube and providing fluid to an inlet of a next vortex tube of the plurality of vortex tubes.

The engine can be a turbine or an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine.

The inlet of the vortex tube may be in fluid communication with a source of hydrocarbon fuel. Additionally or alternatively, the inlet of the vortex tube can be in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine.

The invention further encompasses a method that includes reforming hydrocarbon fuel using at least one vortex tube. Reforming involves removing hydrogen from carbon-based constituents in molecules of the hydrocarbon fuel. The vortex also serves to separate the hydrogen from the carbon-based constituents to make a hydrogen stream essentially carbon-free. The hydrogen flow is fed to a hydrogen receiver, such as a tank or a turbine or an engine.

In another aspect, an assembly includes at least a first vortex tube configured to receive hydrocarbon fuel and separate the hydrocarbon fuel into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream consists primarily of hydrogen, while the second stream comprises carbon such as carbon-based components. At least one first hydrogen receiver is designed to accept the first current. In contrast, to separate the second flow into a third flow and a fourth flow, at least one second vortex tube is designed to receive the second flow from the first vortex tube. The third stream consists primarily of hydrogen to supply the hydrogen uptake therewith, while the second stream comprises carbon.

The hydrogen receiver can include a hydrogen tank. Additionally or alternatively, the hydrogen receiver can comprise a fuel cell. Both the first and the third stream can be fed to the hydrogen receiver. The hydrogen receiver may include a turbine or other prime mover.

In some examples, at least one heat exchanger is disposed in fluid communication between the vortex tubes and is capable of removing heat from the second stream prior to the introduction of the second stream designed to the second vortex tube. Additionally or alternatively, at least one first catalytic component can be present on an inner surface of the first vortex tube and at least one second catalytic component can be present on an inner surface of the second vortex tube but not on the inner surface of the first vortex tube. The second catalytic component can comprise copper, and in certain embodiments zinc and aluminum can also be present on the inner surface of the second vortex tube.

In another aspect, a reformer assembly includes at least one vortex tube including a vortex chamber having an entrance and a main tube segment communicating with the vortex chamber and having a first exit adjacent an inner surface of a wall of the main tube segment. The first outlet is used to discharge relatively hotter and heavier components of the fluid that is provided at the inlet. At least one catalytic component is present on the inner surface of the wall of the main pipe segment.

In some examples of this last aspect, at least one hydrogen-permeable tube is centrally arranged in the main tube segment, which tube forms a second outlet at one end of the hydrogen-permeable tube for discharging at least one relatively lighter and cooler component of fluid that is provided at the inlet. The at least one relatively lighter and cooler component can comprise hydrogen, and the relatively hotter and heavier components of fluid provided at the inlet can comprise carbon. A fuel cell or an engine or some other hydrogen pick-up, such as a tank, can be connected to the second output.

In another aspect, a system includes at least one fuel cell and at least one vortex tube assembly for receiving hydrocarbon fuel as feed and for delivering reformed hydrogen from the hydrocarbon fuel in the vortex tube to the fuel cell.

The details of the present description - both in terms of its structure and operation - can best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like parts. Here show:

Figure list

• 1 Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary power generation system;
• 2 Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary vortex tube reformer / separator assembly;
• 3 Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a toroidal vortex tube assembly;
• 4th Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a vortex tube in an engine system;
• 5 Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vortex tube based hydrogen injection system for an engine;
• 6th Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram from a transverse view of a vortex tube showing separation;
• 7-9 additional schematic diagrams of vortex tube-based hydrogen reformer systems;
• 10 Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary electrical component subsystem for supporting the vortex tube systems shown in the drawings; and
• 11th Figure 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process flow of the vortex tube systems shown in the drawings, showing logic that may be executed by a processor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1 shows an actuation system described in more detail below 10 that transmits energy in a system to a transducer, such as an engine, such as an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, or in the example shown by transmitting torque to a rotor of a turbine 12th to rotate an output shaft of the turbine. The turbine 12th may include a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section based on turbine principles, and may also include one or more rotors or shafts that are typically coupled to one another and that may be concentric to one another.

1 shows that when implementing a fuel tank 14th containing, but not limited to, a hydrocarbon-based fuel such as kerosene, an inlet 16 the turbine 12th Can deliver fuel. The fuel is typically injected into the turbine through injectors where it mixes with air that is compressed by the compressor section of the turbine and ignited in what is known as a “flame holder” or “pot”. “Inlet” generally refers to those parts of the turbine that are in front of the turbine blades. That High pressure mixture is then directed so that it hits turbine blades 18th that are coupled to the output shaft. In this way, a torque is exerted on the output shaft in order to make it rotate about its axis. In other implementations, the turbine must 12th not be a combustion turbine, and as indicated above, other transducers such as engines can be used in vehicles.

The output shaft of the turbine can be coupled to the rotor of a power generator in order to rotate the generator rotor in an electric field and thus make the generator output power. Or the output shaft of the turbine can be coupled to the rotor of an aircraft propeller to rotate the propeller and thereby cause it to generate thrust to propel a turbo-prop jet. The output shaft of the turbine can in turn be coupled to the rotor of a drive component, such as the rotor of a helicopter, the shaft of a watercraft to which a propeller is attached, or a drive shaft of a land vehicle, such as an armored vehicle, depending on the rotor / shaft / Rotate the drive shaft to move the platform through the air, water or land, depending on the mode of transport. The drive component may comprise a drive train, which may comprise a combination of components known in the art, e.g., crankshafts, gears, axles, etc.

In addition to or instead of acting on a transducer, such as the turbine 12th , with fuel straight from the fuel tank 14th can the actuation system 10 a reformer assembly 20th include taking fuel from the fuel tank 14th records. While some embodiments of the reformer assembly may include a reformer and a membrane-type hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from the carbon-based constituents in the reformed product of the reformer, a vortex tube-based reformer assembly is described in greater detail below.

The reformer arrangement 20th creates hydrogen from the fuel, and the hydrogen becomes a fuel cell 22nd in some cases first through a hydrogen tank as shown 24 . If necessary, several reformers and / or fuel cells can be used parallel to one another and / or in series with one another.

The fuel cell 22nd uses the hydrogen to generate electricity, typically with a relatively high degree of efficiency, by oxidizing the hydrogen with oxygen from, for example, the surrounding atmosphere. The fuel cell 22nd can be, without limitation, a polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), an alkaline fuel cell (AFC), a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) or a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) .

Electricity from the fuel cell 22nd can turn to an electric motor 26th are routed to an output shaft of the engine 26th to turn. The motor shaft is through a rotor coupling 28 with a rotor of the turbine 12th mechanically coupled. Typically this is the turbine / engine rotor that the engine uses 26th coupled is not the same segment of the blades 18th bearing rotor, even if this may be the case in some implementations. Instead, the rotor that drives the motor 26th may be coupled, a segment of the vane rotor that does not carry any vanes, or a rotor separate from the vane rotor and concentrically therewith or otherwise coupled therewith. In any case, the engine is exercising 26th when switched on by the fuel cell 22nd (if necessary with suitable couplings) a rotor applies torque to the output shaft of the turbine 12th which in some cases can be the same shaft as that forming the rotor. Power from the engine 26th may be supplied with components other than the transducer embodied by the turbine. The electrical power generated by the fuel cell and turbine / engine can in turn be forwarded to a power storage device, such as a battery system, or to a power consumer, such as the power grid of a city.

To achieve further efficiencies, the output of the fuel cell, for example water in the form of steam, can be generated by the fuel cell 22nd is produced, further mixed with hydrocarbon added to the reformer assembly 20th in a mixer 30th is introduced, which can be a tank or a simple pipe or some other cavity in which water and carbon can mix, the mixture then (eg through suitable pipes or lines) to the turbine inlet 16 is directed. If necessary, a surfactant can be taken from a tank 32 for surfactants can also be added to the steam / carbon mixture. Or the steam from the fuel cell can be conveyed to the reformer assembly described below without mixing the steam with carbon and / or without mixing the steam with surfactant.

In any case, it can now be understood that the steam / carbon mixture is injecting fuel directly from the fuel tank 14th to the inflow 16 can supplement or fuel injection directly from the fuel tank 14th to the inflow 16 can completely replace.

Furthermore, from the fuel cell 22nd generated electricity not only to operate the electric motor 26th (or to supply electricity to a battery storage facility or the grid), but also to supply ignition current for the corresponding components in the turbine or the engine 12th . Electricity from the fuel cell can also be used for other auxiliary purposes, e.g. in addition to operating the electric motor for driving other electrical devices. In cases where the reformer arrangement 20th Generates carbon dioxide and steam, these fluids can also be directed to heat exchangers that are connected to or coupled to the reformer and a steam generator.

In some embodiments, water can be supplied from the fuel cell as needed 22nd through a water pipe 34 to the reformer assembly 20th be returned. If necessary, heat can also be removed from the sensor (e.g. the turbine 12th ) and collected by lines / pipes 36 back to the reformer arrangement 20th be performed to heat the reformer.

2 shows a vortex tube based reformer arrangement 20th . As shown, the arrangement 20th a steam container 200 and a fuel tank 202 include. The steam container 200 and the fuel tank 202 can be heat exchangers made by illustrating a respective outer heating chamber 200a , 202a having a respective inner fluid chamber 200b , 202b surrounds, are shown schematically, wherein heat in each outer heat exchange chamber heats the fluid in the respective inner fluid chamber. By means of the drain line 36 from the outlet of the sensor from 1 , e.g. the turbine 12th , can any heat exchange chamber 200a , 202a Heat can be supplied.

When looking at the steam container first 200 can initial water or initial steam to start the upstream side of an optional impeller 204 or other fluid moving device until such time as the initial water or steam is vapor vented from the fuel cell 22nd by means of the line 34 is supplemented and preferably replaced as shown. For example an electric heating element 206 in the heat exchange chamber 200a of the fluid container 200 , from waste heat from the turbine or engine or from another heat source, initial start-up heat can also be provided up to the point in time when the start-up heat is generated by waste heat from the sensor (e.g. the turbine 12th ) by means of the drain line 36 can be supplemented and preferably replaced as shown. In either case, for starting, the initial water heated to steam and the steam from the fuel cell are under the influence of the impeller during operation 204 if provided, or simply under vapor pressure in the internal fluid chamber 200b to a mixer / injector container 208 promoted.

Regarding the fuel tank 202 may, but is not limited to, hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas, from the fuel tank 14th to the inlet side of an optional impeller 210 or other fluid moving device. For example an electric heating element 212 in the heat exchange chamber 202a of the fuel tank 202 or from another heat source, initial start-up heat can also be provided up to the point in time when the start-up heat is generated by waste heat from the transducer (e.g. the turbine 12th ) by means of the drain line 36 can be supplemented and preferably replaced as shown. In either case, the heated fuel is in the fluid chamber 202b of the fuel tank 202 , which is preferred by desulphurisation elements 213 , which may be provided on the inner wall of the fuel chamber, is purified of sulfur under the influence of the impeller 210 if provided, or simply under fluid pressure in the internal fluid chamber 202b to the mixer / injector container 208 promoted. In some cases, the fuel must be delivered to the mixer / injector 208 not be heated.

In some examples, the steam can be in the steam container 200 and / or the fuel in the fuel container 202 at a pressure of three atmospheres to thirty atmospheres ( 3 atm - 30 atm) can be heated to six hundred degrees Celsius (600 ° C) to one thousand and one hundred degrees Celsius (1100 ° C). More generally, the reaction temperatures used with the hydrocarbon and vapor mixtures can increase from a low temperature of 300C up to 1200C. These temperatures can be optimized for the type of hydrocarbon feed introduced, the running time of the process through the reaction tube and the pressures applied which are caused by the eddy current, for example the eddy generated in the reaction tube.

The mixer / injector 208 mixes the steam from the steam container 200 with the fuel from the fuel tank 202 . Mixing can be accomplished under the influence of the turbidity of the respective fluids when they enter the mixer / injector 208 get, and / or through additional mixing components, such as rotating impellers in the mixer / injector 208 and / or by other suitable means. The mixer / injector 208 injects the steam and fuel mixture into a vortex tube under the influence of fluid pressure in the mixer 214 , for example through fuel injectors or simply through an opening and fluid line.

The vortex tube 214 Also known as the Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube, is a mechanical device that separates a compressed fluid into hot and cold streams. It typically has no moving parts.

As shown, the pressurized mixture of steam and fuel is supplied from the mixer / injector 208 , preferably tangentially, into a vortex chamber 216 of the vortex tube 214 injected and through the interaction of the geometry between the vortex chamber 216 and the cylindrical wall of a main pipe segment 218 which, as shown, is perpendicular to the entry axis of the vortex chamber 216 aligned, accelerated to a high rate of rotation. At one end of the vortex tube 214 can have a first conical nozzle 220 be provided so that only the outer shell of the compressed gas can escape at this end. The opening at this end is thus ring-shaped, its central part being blocked (eg by a valve, as described in more detail below) so that the remainder of the gas is forced through the main inner pipe 218 towards the vortex chamber 216 in a reduced diameter inner vortex which, as shown, is substantially coaxial with the main pipe segment 218 is to return. In one embodiment, the internal vortex can be in a hydrogen permeable tube 222 leading to a hydrogen outlet 224 leads, which can be produced by a second conical nozzle, be enclosed. The hydrogen-permeable tube 222 is, if provided, preferably impermeable to carbon-based constituents. The pipe 222 may contain palladium.

A catalyzing layer 226 can be on the inner surface of at least the main inner pipe 218 formed or integral therewith to attract carbon-based components to the outer periphery of the passage defined by the main inner tube. The catalyzing layer can contain nickel and / or platinum and / or rhodium and / or palladium and / or gold and / or copper. The pipe 218 can consist of the catalyzing layer, or the layer 226 can become a pipe substrate, for example by vapor deposition of the catalyzing layer 226 on the pipe substrate, which can be made of ceramic.

The interaction of the structure of the vortex tube 214 forces relatively cooler hydrogen from the injected fuel towards the axis of the main pipe 218 into the hydrogen permeable tube 222 if provided, and to the left when facing 2 along the axis of the main pipe 218 , while the relatively heavier and hotter carbon-based constituents of the fuel out against the catalytic layer 226 and to the right when looking at 2 are forced. Due to the interaction of the structure shown, it is used to supply the fuel cell 22nd the fuel is both chemically reformed to hydrogen and carbon-based components, and the hydrogen is physically separated from the carbon-based components.

If necessary, an evacuation mechanism such as a vacuum pump can be used 228 , can be provided to prevent the withdrawal of hydrogen from the hydrogen outlet 224 of the vortex tube 214 to support. If necessary, the hydrogen can also be fed through a water gas conversion reactor (WSGR) 230 be routed to the hydrogen before supplying the fuel cell 22nd further cleaning. Examples of vortex tube-based WGSR embodiments are explained in more detail below.

The carbon-based constituents of the fuel, on the other hand, come from the right side of the main pipe 218 of the vortex tube 214 out to the transducer, e.g. B. the turbine 12th , in some cases using the in 1 shown mixer 30th promoted.

Fuel cells typically work better when the hydrogen fed to them is relatively cooler than that produced by conventional reformers, which consequently may require cooling. In addition, it can be difficult to use certain hydrogen cooling processes such as WGSR with extremely high temperature hydrogen from a conventional reformer, which means that the hydrogen requires significant cooling. By reforming the fuel, separating the hydrogen and cooling the hydrogen (relative to the carbon-based constituents) in a single reformer arrangement as described herein has several advantages, including the ability to produce relatively cool hydrogen that requires less cooling after reforming and that does The service life of the fuel cell is extended.

Accordingly, the use of a vortex or cyclone vortex effect enables these processes to be elegantly integrated and provides higher energy efficiency, improved fuel economy and increased hydrogen yield. Additional advantages over traditional reformers include shifting the chemical balance in favor of hydrogen production. This is achieved by positioning a hydrogen-permeable membrane separator tube at the low pressure point of the vortex in order to extract or harvest hydrogen from the resulting hydrocarbon-synthesis gas mixture during the reforming process in the tube. This process is achieved by the combination of a generated vortex or vortices, which is reforming and vortex gas separation at the same time while the yield and cooling of the hydrogen gas are also improved.

In the approach described above, the vortex created provides a centrifugal rotating action applied to the gases in a round tube, initially the hydrogen and steam, which at higher pressures and temperatures tangential to the walls of the main catalyst-lined tube 218 depresses, which improves the rate of reform. This is due to the higher temperatures and pressures in the more massive molecular gases (the hydrocarbons and steam) created by vortex motion contacting the walls of the catalyst-lined tube.

As the reforming process proceeds down the pipe in the vortex, the introduced hydrocarbon gas mixture differentiates or stratifies according to gas densities axially in the pipe. The hydrocarbons and steam, which are the densest accumulation on the inside wall of the pipe, and the hydrogen with the lowest density, move towards the center of the vortex. The higher moments are exerted on the heavier gases, the hydrocarbons with the longest chains and the steam, which collide with high force and in high densities with the catalyst-clad wall of the pipe. This optimizes compliance and the interface between the hydrocarbon, steam and catalyst at a given pressure.

The hydrogen gases, which are less massive, are drawn towards the center of the vortex, towards the zone of lower pressure, away from the periphery. This action, moving the hydrogen away from the periphery, improves the access route to the catalyst for the heavier hydrocarbons, steam and carbon oxides. The middle of the tube, where the vortex has its lowest pressure, contains the hydrogen-permeable filter tube 222 with suction to attract hydrogen. Therefore, hydrogen penetrates to the center and is withdrawn from the reaction with a negative pressure, whereby the hydrogen is harvested while the reforming process takes place.

The hydrogen is separated and, due to its lower density, is drawn to the center of the vortex and is drawn further into the walls of the hydrogen-permeable separation tube due to the negative pressure exerted on the tube. Withdrawal or harvest of hydrogen from the ongoing reformation further enhances the dynamic chemical reactions associated with the catalyst by breaking down hydrogen, which limits adverse reversible hydrogen reactions. This increases the ratio of production of hydrogen to carbon.

With the foregoing in mind, the product of the reformation reaction (synthesis gas) is continuously tapped along the vortex tube during run time, providing the purified output streams and further changing the equilibrium of the reaction taking place to improve the amount of hydrogen produced. The cyclone vortex motion can be applied to the injected hydrocarbon and steam feeds by means of a propeller or pump that drives the heavy hydrocarbon based gases and steam towards the pipe walls. This movement causes some of the hydrocarbons that hit the catalysts to reform, emitting hydrogen and carbon monoxide. These two gases, lighter than CH ₄ , are driven towards the center of the vortex away from the wall of the vortex tube. The separated output streams, which consist on the one hand of hydrogen and on the other hand of steam, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and trace impurities, are tapped individually and conveyed to the respective output streams.

The generation and separation of the discharged fuel streams are each improved by means of the swirling action in the reaction tube and the progressive removal of the fractionating products such as hydrogen, which further provides a dynamic optimization due to the continuous non-equilibrium conditions.

In addition to appropriate sensors, valves, and control electronics, the vortex tube may include fuel and steam injectors, heat supplies, heat exchangers, high shear turbulent mixers, filters, and output power taps. The dispensed hydrogen and some steam can be used by the fuel cell 22nd with carbon-based components and some steam being fed to the susceptor. In some reactions, most of the steam and heavier fractionating hydrocarbons can be fed back into the vortex tube or multiple vortex tubes.

3 shows an embodiment in which multiple vortex tubes in an endless loop 300 which is referred to herein as a "toroidal" configuration without implying that the endless loop is perfectly round. Each vortex tube may be of substantially identical construction and operation to that of the vortex tube 214 from 2 are.

As shown, fuel can be sent to an initial vortex tube 302 are introduced, the hydrogen emitted from its hydrogen-permeable tube is used as an entry to the vortex chamber of the next vortex tube 304 promoted, whose Hydrogen output is in turn fed to the next vortex tube as an entry. In the configuration 300 For example, “N” vortex tubes can be arranged in series, where “N” is an integer (N = 8 in the example shown) and where the hydrogen output of the Nth vortex tube 306 to the fuel cell 22nd is promoted. In this way, the hydrogen is successively separated into an increasingly pure entry for the fuel cell, while the carbon-based components emitted by each vortex tube are withdrawn individually from each tube and can be conveyed to the receiver, as indicated by the "N" arrows 308 is indicated.

The configuration 300 from 3 can in the in 2 system shown can be used, with the initial vortex tube 302 Fuel from the mixer / injector 208 and receives hydrogen from the hydrogen outlet 224 conveyed to the vortex chamber entrance of the next vortex tube and with the hydrogen output of the Nth vortex tube 306 by means of the vacuum pump 228 and the WSGR 230 to the fuel cell 22nd is promoted. Carbon-based constituents from every vortex tube from 3 can go to the mixer / pickup 30/12 to get promoted.

In other embodiments, the carbon output of each tube is carried to the entrance of the next tube, with the hydrogen outputs of each tube individually from the toroidal configuration 300 out and conveyed to the fuel cell.

4th shows a vortex tube 400 carried by a vortex tube or tubes described above and described in 2 respectively. 3 shown can be produced. The vortex tube 400 from 4th can have at least one inlet 402 , at least one hydrogen outlet 404 as shown, wherein at least one prime mover 406 such as a diesel engine, an entrance port 408 having that with the hydrogen outlet 404 of the vortex tube 400 is in fluid communication. In this way, reforming in the vortex tube 400 generated hydrogen of the engine 406 supplied as hydrogen injection or enrichment, the hydrogen being supplied with diesel fuel from a tank 410 combined and at a fuel inlet 412 the engine can be included. Note that the hydrogen inlet 408 the prime mover 406 separated from the fuel supply 412 can be or the same or in the same mechanical assembly as the fuel inlet 412 can be.

In view of the above disclosure, it should be understood that the vortex tube 400 typically a vortex chamber into which through the inlet 402 Hydrocarbon is supplied, and a main pipe segment that communicates with the swirl chamber and an outlet 414 which is other than the hydrogen outlet 404 is, may include. In some embodiments, such as the one shown, the fuel inlet is on 412 the prime mover 406 with the outlet 414 in fluid communication to hydrogen-depleted reformate from the vortex tube 400 to record. In accordance with the disclosure above, the outlet is contiguous 414 typically to an inner surface of a wall of the main pipe segment, on which at least one catalytic component can be arranged.

The vortex tube can be analogous 400 as described above in the case of the preceding vortex tubes, comprise a hydrogen-permeable tube which is arranged centrally in the main tube segment and at one end of the hydrogen-permeable tube the hydrogen outlet 404 trains.

As mentioned above, the vortex tube 400 from 4th FIG. 7 illustrates an arrangement made by the plurality of vortex tubes arranged in a toroidal configuration of FIG 3 are arranged.

In the example shown, a vortex tube outlet line communicates 416 with the vortex tube outlet 414 to deliver hydrogen-depleted reformate to an engine fuel supply line 418 to convey the fuel tank 410 with the fuel supply 412 the prime mover connects. In this way, only a single feed opening has to be provided in the fuel inlet. In other embodiments, however, the vortex tube outlet conduit extends 416 from the vortex tube outlet 414 directly to the fuel inlet 412 the prime mover 406 , without connection to the fuel supply line 418 .

In the example shown, the inlet 402 of the vortex tube 400 through a fuel tank supply line 420 with the fuel tank 410 are in fluid communication to receive hydrocarbon fuel to be reformed. Additionally or alternatively, the inlet 402 of the vortex tube 400 with the exhaust system 422 the prime mover 406 are in fluid communication to through a vehicle exhaust pipe 424 to receive a hydrocarbon stream to be reformed. In the example shown, if there are two sources of hydrocarbon to be reformed (engine exhaust and fuel tank), the vehicle exhaust line may 424 to the fuel tank supply line 420 tie up so that in the vortex tube 400 only a single inlet opening needs to be provided. In other embodiments that use two vortex tube input sources, the vehicle exhaust line may be 424 but from the vehicle outlet 422 straight to the inlet 402 extend, and analogously, the fuel tank supply line can extend 420 from the fuel tank 410 straight to the inlet 402 extend.

4th also shows optional valves included in 4th shown as electronically operated valves controlled by the engine control module (ECM) 426 the prime mover 406 can be controlled (typically a component of the prime mover 406 but not in combustion sections of the engine 406 is recorded). Alternatively, one or more of the valves shown can be check valves which only allow one-way flow in the directions indicated by the respective arrows next to the respective valves.

More specifically, a hydrogen exhaust valve 428 in a hydrogen outlet line 430 be arranged facing away from the hydrogen outlet 404 of the vortex tube 400 extends. In the example shown, the hydrogen outlet valve is located 428 upstream of an outlet arrangement 432 that eg the pump 228 and the WGSR 230 may include that in 2 are shown. In other embodiments, the hydrogen exhaust valve 428 downstream of the arrangement 432 to be available.

In the vehicle exhaust pipe 424 may be an engine exhaust vortex tube supply valve as shown 434 be provided, preferably upstream of the point where the fuel tank supply line 420 to the exhaust pipe 424 ties up. Similarly, in the fuel tank supply line 420 a fuel tank vortex tube supply valve 436 be provided. The vortex tube supply valves 434 , 436 can from the ECM 426 can be controlled to selectively control which source or sources of hydrocarbon enter the vortex tube 400 are fed.

To control what fuel from the engine 406 can be in the vortex tube outlet line 416 and the fuel supply line 418 first and second engine supply valves 438 , 440 each be provided. In the non-limiting example shown, the second is the engine supply valve 440 in the fuel supply line 418 provided downstream of the point at which the fuel tank supply line 420 that supplies fuel to the vortex tube, the fuel supply line 418 taps so that the second engine supply valve 440 and the fuel tank vortex tube supply valve 436 can be closed to break their respective lines as needed without affecting the other line.

It is now understood that the vortex tube is in operation 400 Hydrocarbon fuel and / or exhaust gas from an engine are reformed, wherein hydrogen is separated from carbon-based constituents during the reforming, wherein the hydrogen separated from the engine as a result of the reforming 406 is delivered.

5 shows one particular system to which the preceding discussion applies. A vortex tube 500 takes through a mixer 502 Hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, from a fuel tank 504 on, e.g. from the fuel tank of a vehicle in which the in 5 system shown is arranged. Any of the vortex tubes described above can be used.

The steam mixer / injector 502 mixes the steam with the hydrocarbon and injects the mixture into the vortex tube inlet at a high pressure. Behind the vortex inlet is the vortex generator, which runs through the vortex tube 500 and rotate the injected mixture at a high speed and towards the carbon end of the tube 500 can move (when looking at 5 to the right), swirling along the inner periphery of the tube at high speed, high pressure, and high temperature in contact with the catalyst coating the inner surface of the tube, as in above 2 for the catalyzing layer 226 described. This vortex movement of the synthesis gas causes the temperature of the mixture to be closest to the outer periphery of the inner chamber of the vortex tube 500 increases and high centripetal forces are applied to the catalyst shroud in the pipe, increasing the rate of reforming reaction and preventing carbon from being deposited on the catalyst.

During the reforming process, synthesis gas is generated at the catalyzing layer, and the hydrogen component of the synthesis gas then moves towards the center of the vortex in the vortex tube as the hydrogen is lighter than the carbon / vapor mixture that is being pushed towards the outer part of the vortex. Thus, an output stream of the vortex tube consists primarily of hydrogen and is (if necessary by intervening components such as the pump described below 527 ) is output to a hydrogen receiver, such as a hydrogen tank or, in the non-limiting example shown, a fuel cell 520 . The second edition of the vortex tube consists primarily of carbon-based constituents and in some cases water and residual hydrogen.

On the fuel tank 504 can be a fuel pump 506 be provided with a suction and can be in the mixer 502 drain to Fuel in the mixer 502 to pump. The vortex tube 500 received through the mixer 502 also water or steam from a water tank 508 . At the water tank 508 can be a water pump 510 be provided with a suction and can be in the mixer 502 drain to water in the mixer 502 to pump. The vortex tube can thus from the mixer 502 pick up a mixture of fuel and water.

In the communication path between the fuel tank 504 and the mixer 502 can be a fuel line valve 512 be provided. In the connecting path between the water tank 508 and the mixer 502 can be analogous to a water pipe valve 514 be provided. In general, the valves herein can be processor controlled and thus can include solenoids. An exemplary processing circuit will now be described in detail.

The position of one or both valves 512 , 514 can be based on signals from one or more mixer sensors 516 (only a single sensor is shown for the sake of clarity). The mixer sensor (s) 516 can be one or more of: a fuel sensor or oxygen sensor or carbon sensor or temperature sensor or pressure sensor, other suitable sensor that shows the composition (and / or temperature and / or pressure) of the mixture in the mixer 502 recorded, be. For example, if the water to fuel ratio is too high, the fuel valve may 512 can be caused to open one or more valve position increments and / or the water valve can be caused to close one or more increments. If the ratio of water to fuel is too small, the fuel valve can do the same 512 can be caused to close one or more valve position increments and / or the water valve can be caused to open one or more increments.

Further, as shown at 518, on the mixer 502 Heat applied and when the sensor 516 comprises a temperature sensor, the signal from the sensor can be used to adapt the heat input to the temperature of the mixture in the mixer 502 to optimize. The application of heat 518 can be an electric heater that goes with the mixer 502 is in thermal communication, and / or a conduit for conducting heat from the heat exchanger described below to the mixer 502 be.

At its hydrogen output end there is the vortex tube 500 Hydrogen to a fuel cell 520 the end. The fuel cell 520 can be used to drive an electric motor 522 to deliver electricity in the vehicle. The fuel cell 520 can by means of a line 524 also water to a water tank 526 dispense and / or to the water tank described above 508 and / or directly into the mixer as shown 502 conduct. A hydrogen pump 527 can with suction on the vortex tube 500 and a drain into the fuel cell 520 be provided.

At its carbon output end, the vortex tube can 500 Water as well as carbon-based components including carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) to a first heat exchanger 528 output. The first heat exchanger can heat or cool the fluid supplied to it with the aid of a water circulation pump, which pumps water from one of the water tanks described herein through a water jacket, or with the aid of air cooling. Heat from the fuel cell can pass through the heat exchanger 520 and / or one of the prime movers in the system can be applied to heat it. Heat from the first heat exchanger can be passed through an outlet 530 may be supplied to one or more of the components shown herein, for example a heating element 532 of the mixer 502 and / or to heating element 534 , the one with the vortex tube 500 is in thermal connection closer to the hydrogen end than to the carbon end. It should be noted that an electric heater 536 also with the vortex tube 500 for supplying heat to it until such time as one of the heat exchangers therein is warm enough to reach the vortex tube 500 To deliver heat, can be in thermal connection.

An output from the heat exchanger 528 can through an outlet control valve 538 a prime mover 540 are supplied, which can be implemented by a turbine, a diesel engine or a gasoline engine to drive the vehicle. A second heat exchanger 542 can be provided to take heat from the engine 540 withdrawing heat from the second heat exchanger 542 the mixer as required 502 and / or vortex tube 500 through respective lines 544 , 546 is fed. It should be noted that the first and the second heat exchanger 528 , 542 can be combined into a single unit if required.

Also, some of the output can be from the fuel tank 504 through a fuel line 548 in which a hydrocarbon valve 550 may be provided to flow to the prime mover 540 to deliver fuel in a start mode. In the start mode, the valve 550 which connects the hydrocarbon tank to the engine / turbine to deliver fuel to and start the engine / turbine, which in turn supplies heat to the heat exchanger, which in turn heats the vortex tube-based reformer / separator structure shown.

There can be one or more sensors 552 be provided to include parameters in the output of the carbon end of the vortex tube 500 capture. These one or more sensors can _{sense temperature, CO 2} , CO, water, hydrogen etc. and can input signals to a processor to a throttle control valve 554 in the carbon outlet of the vortex tube 500 upstream of the sensor (s) 552 control as needed to ensure parameters stay within predetermined ranges.

Specifically, hits at the carbon end of the vortex tube 500 the swirling synthesis gas on the partial blockage by the throttle control valve 554 is produced. The position of the throttle control valve 554 may be adjusted by the processor described below based on one or more input signals from the sensors described herein so that the mixture rich in heavier carbon passes through the peripheral gap of the control valve 554 occurs. In one example, the processor described below determines the hydrogen / carbon ratio from sensor signals and adjusts the position of the throttle control valve 554 accordingly.

The middle of the syngas vortex, usually hydrogen, is, however, from the middle of the throttle control valve 554 steered away. This prevents hydrogen from passing through the valve 554 escapes, and around back to the hydrogen end of the vortex tube 500 (when looking at 5 to the left), where it exits the pipe and into the fuel cell 520 is initiated. The hydrogen stream concentrated in the center of the vortex tube exits the vortex tube at a lower temperature than that of the peripheral vortex and the initially injected hydrocarbon vapor mixture. This lower temperature hydrogen is well suited for use in the fuel cell.

Analog can be one or more sensors 556 be provided to detect parameters in the hydrogen output of the vortex tube. These one or more sensors 556 can sense temperature, CO ₂ , CO, water, hydrogen, etc. and can input signals to a processor to control one or more of the valves and other components herein as needed to ensure that parameters can remain in predetermined ranges. Thus, the temperature in the vortex tube 500 can be sensed by a temperature sensor and can be controlled by the processor described below to maintain an appropriate temperature for reforming.

It is now understood that 5 shows an integrated vortex tube-based reformer and hydrogen separator with a fuel cell 520 and with a prime mover / turbine 540 connected to produce a hybrid fuel cell turbine. The structure of 5 imparts the ability to instantly start a vehicle, such as a car or truck, to on-board reforming by transferring fuel from the tank 504 through the line 548 to the prime mover 540 having. In this case, when the system is cold, the engine / turbine will 540 first by means of fuel passing through the valve 550 is transmitted, operated so that the vehicle can start immediately and in turn heat the reformer separator before switching to hydrogen operation.

Once it is warm enough to operate in the hydrogen mode, the hydrogen flow generated is from the vortex tube 500 the fuel cell 520 and the carbon stream from the vortex tube 500 becomes the turbine / prime mover 540 fed. The system of 5 includes two feed tanks at the front end, namely the water tank 508 and the hydrocarbon tank 504 that the steam mixer / injector 502 by means of the control valves described above 512 , 514 Add product. These control valves 512 , 514 can advantageously be based on recorded parameters, such as performance requirements and reaction rates, temperatures, gas mixtures, which are determined by the in 5 sensors shown are detected, regulated and controlled by the processor shown and described below.

6th shows schematically gas separation in the vortex tube 500 . The central hydrogen-permeable tube 600 picks up relatively cool hydrogen, while relatively warm carbon components move towards the catalytic lining 602 on the inner surface of the outer wall of the vortex tube 500 to be pulled. Arrows 602 represent the steam / hydrocarbon vortex of the gases in the vortex tube. 6th thus shows the vortex movement of the hydrocarbon vapor mixture, the reforming and the stratification of the synthesis gas, with the hydrogen moving towards the center.

In 6th the reformer vortex tube is shown with the catalyst cladding, for example a nickel-based catalyst, with the integrated heaters and heat exchangers supplying energy to the reforming reaction. 6th shows the swirling motion of the hydrocarbon vapor mixture, reforming and stratification of the synthesis gas, with the hydrogen moving towards the center and the heavier gases in contact with the peripheral tube. The hydrocarbon vapor mixture is reformed to synthesis gas by contact with the catalyst-clad pipe. This breaks down the methane component of the natural gas in carbon monoxide (CO) and H ₂ gas.

7-9 show additional systems in which vortex tubes are used as reformer to separate hydrogen from fuel for various purposes including any of the aforementioned purposes (e.g., injection of hydrogen into engines), hydrogen production for petrochemical plants and other purposes.

7th shows an integrated reformer and hydrogen separator connected to an integrated water gas converter and hydrogen separator for producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons. In 7th takes a vortex tube 700 the first stage a heated fuel and water mixture from a mixer 702 on, with the in 5 disclosed relevant sensor, pump, valve and heating components in the in 7th shown and labeled example are also provided. In contrast to the system of 5 but becomes the carbon output of the vortex tube 700 the first stage in 7th through a heat exchanger 704 if necessary to the inlet 706 of a vortex tube 708 promoted to the second stage. The vortex tube 708 the second stage extracts residual hydrogen in the carbon output of the vortex tube 700 the first stage. The vortex tube 708 the second stage can effectively be viewed as a water gas conversion separator. The vortex tube 708 the second stage can be covered with a catalyzing layer (similar to that in 2 layer shown 226 ), which consists of components other than the catalyzing layer used to coat the inside of the vortex tube 700 the first stage is used. For example, the vortex tube 700 the first stage contain nickel in the catalyzing layer, whereas the vortex tube 708 the second stage may contain copper in its catalyzing layer. In certain embodiments, the catalyzing layer of the vortex tube 708 the second stage, which the in 2 layer shown 226 consist of copper oxide, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide. In non-limiting specific examples, the catalyzing layer can consist of 32-33% CuO, 34-53% ZnO, and 15-33% Al ₂ O ₃ .

The heat exchanger 704 removes the carbon output of the vortex tube 700 the first stage heat. For this purpose, the heat exchanger can comprise a cooling water jacket, or it can comprise air cooling fins or some other air cooling structure. It can also be a thermoelectric heat exchanger. The heat exchanger preferably cools the fed-in fluid to 200.degree. C.-250.degree.

In any case, the vortex tube can 708 of the second stage can be considered a vortex tube based WGSR due to the structural combination shown, in which residual hydrogen is in the carbon output of the vortex tube 700 the first stage by combining carbon monoxide with hydrogen vapor from the carbon output of the vortex tube 700 the first stage is extracted to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen (in the form of H ₂ ).

The hydrogen outputs of both vortex tubes 700 , 708 can through a or respective hydrogen filter 710 , 712 to further purify the hydrogen by filtering out non-hydrogen material. The exits 714 , 716 the hydrogen filter may communicate with the inlet of an engine, such as one of the engines described herein, to provide hydrogen-assisted combustion, for example.

At the outlet of the vortex tube 708 the second stage can be a capacitor 718 may be provided _{to separate CO 2} from water with water being delivered to the water tank shown and CO ₂ vented to the atmosphere from the top of the condenser as shown.

8th Figure 12 shows an integrated reformer and hydrogen separator connected to an integrated water gas converter and hydrogen separator connected to a hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuel mixer for injection into an engine, turbine or burner to provide hydrogen assisted combustion.

Shows in detail 8th a vortex tube 800 the first stage, which is a water and fuel mixture from a mixer 802 receives in accordance with the above principles and from its carbon end an entry to a vortex tube 804 the second stage outputs. The difference between the system of 8th compared to the system of 7th is that the hydrogen outputs of both vortex tubes 800 , 804 from 8th with fuel from the fuel tank 806 that can also be combined with the inlet of the vortex tube 800 the first stage in a fuel / hydrogen mixer 808 Supplies fuel. The mixture in the fuel / hydrogen mixer 808 can to a prime mover as shown 810 to get promoted.

At the outlet of the engine 810 can be a capacitor 812 may be provided _{to separate CO 2} from water with water being delivered to the water tank shown and CO ₂ vented to the atmosphere from the top of the condenser as shown. At the outlet of the vortex tube 804 the second stage can be according to the previous one Revelation regarding 7th a separate capacitor 814 are provided. In some embodiments, the capacitors can be implemented by a single capacitor.

9 shows an integrated reformer and hydrogen separator connected to an integrated water gas converter and hydrogen separator that powers a hybrid fuel cell system. In detail, as in 9 shown a system of vortex tubes 900 , 902 the first stage and the second stage as essentially described above, but with the hydrogen outputs of each vortex tube in a hydrogen container 904 be supplied with a fuel cell 906 and a prime mover 908 is in communication to provide both hydrogen. The fuel cell 906 can use the hydrogen tank 904 form, in which case excess hydrogen not used by the fuel cell to the engine 908 is promoted. Both the prime mover 908 as well as the fuel cell 906 can be used to provide propulsion power to a vehicle.

10 Figure 12 shows exemplary processing circuitry for controlling the pumps, valves, and other components in the previous figures. A control unit 1000 , such as a processor, receives input from one of the sensors described above (shown at 1002) and can also receive valve position signals from the actuators of any of the valves described above (shown at 1004) as well as a load demand signal from a load demand signal source 1006 , such as a vehicle accelerator pedal. The controller uses the inputs to control one or more of the heat exchangers and associated components (shown at 1008) and throttle valves (shown at 1010). The control unit 1000 also communicates with or constitutes control components in any of the fuel cells and engines described above (shown at 1012 and 1014, respectively).

A control system herein may thus include computers and processors connected via a network so that data can be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices such as engine control modules (ECMs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices including smart phones. These computing devices can operate in various operating environments. For example, some of the client components may use Linux operating systems, Microsoft operating systems or a Unix operating system, or operating systems made by Apple Computer or Google, or VxWorks-embedded operating systems from Wind River, for example.

Information can be exchanged between the components via a network. For this purpose and security, components can include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storage and proxies, and other network infrastructure for reliability and security.

As used herein, commands by computers refer to steps implemented to process information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware, or hardware and can include any type of programmed step performed by components of the system.

A processor can be any conventional one or more chip general purpose processor that can execute logic using various lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines, and registers and shift registers.

Software modules described using the flowcharts and user interfaces may include various subroutines, processes, etc. herein. Without restricting the disclosure, the said logic, which is to be executed by a specific module, can be redistributed to other software modules and / or combined in a single module and / or made accessible in a library.

Existing principles described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof; thus, illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are set forth in terms of their functionality.

In addition to the foregoing, logic blocks, modules, and circuitry described below can be used with a general purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC ), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform, implemented, or performed the functions described herein. A processor can be implemented by a controller or a state machine or a combination of computing devices.

The functions and methods described below can, when implemented in software, be written in an appropriate language, for example but not exclusively in Java, C # or C ++, and can be stored on a machine-readable storage medium, such as a working memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM ), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, including USB memory sticks, etc. , stored or transmitted through it. A connection can form a machine-readable medium. Such connections may include, for example, fixed cables, including fiber optic and coaxial cables, and digital subscriber line (DSL) and twisted-pair cables. Such links can include wireless communication links including infrared and radio.

The operational logic of 11th is specific to the in 5 system shown, although its principles apply where it is relevant to other systems shown herein.

The logic starts with state 1100 and moves to block 1102 before, the hydrocarbon fuel valve 550 is opened to hydrocarbon fuel in accordance with starting the engine of the engine 540 to feed. The heat exchanger 520 is started and the electric heater of the mixer 502 and the vortex tube 500 will be at block 1106 turned on to initiate reforming of the vortex tube. Once the heat exchanger is hot enough to provide heat to the mixer and vortex tube, the heat from the heat exchanger can replace the heat from the electric heaters, which can be turned off.

The decision diamond 1108 indicates that one or more of the above-described sensors, embodied as a temperature sensor, are being sensed and when its signal indicates that the vortex tube is at a sufficient temperature to reform the hydrocarbon from the mixer 502 reached the vortex tube at block 1110 operated and the fuel cell 520 is initialized. With decision diamond 1112 Input may be obtained indicating that the driver is ready to switch from hydrocarbon propulsion to the engine 540 to electric drive from the fuel cell 520 is whereupon the logic becomes block 1114 moved to the fuel valve 550 close and at block 1116 to switch to electric drive.

Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any suitable combination.

For example, any of the various components described herein and / or shown in the figures can be combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.

"A system with at least one of A, B and C" (analogous to "a system with at least one of A, B or C" and "a system with at least one of A, B, C") includes systems that A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together and / or A, B and C together, etc.

While the particular systems and methods are shown and described in detail herein, the scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (14)

Arrangement comprising: at least one vortex tube with an inlet and at least one hydrogen outlet; and at least one reformer mechanism associated with the vortex tube to remove hydrogen from carbon in molecules of hydrocarbon fuel that is input to the inlet, the reformer mechanism having a catalytic component in the vortex tube and heated water vapor flowing along with the hydrocarbon fuel into the vortex tube wherein the vortex tube comprises a vortex chamber, wherein the inlet of the vortex tube leads into the vortex chamber, wherein the vortex tube comprises a main tube segment which is in communication with the vortex chamber and a carbon outlet that is different from the hydrogen outlet, wherein the said inlet is arranged between the hydrogen outlet and the carbon outlet, a mixer tank for receiving the heated water vapor injected into the vortex tube together with the hydrocarbon fuel, said mixer tank being in fluid communication with a water tank and a hydrocarbon fuel tank; and said vortex tube being adapted to form hydrogen by reforming the hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon fuel obtained along with the heated water vapor. Arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein a fuel cell is provided which can be brought into flow connection with the hydrogen outlet of the vortex tube. Arrangement according to Claim 2 , which is at least one prime mover with an input port in fluid communication with the hydrogen outlet of the vortex tube, wherein a fuel inlet of the engine is in fluid communication with the outlet other than the hydrogen outlet of the vortex tube. Arrangement according to Claim 3 wherein the carbon outlet, other than the hydrogen outlet, is adjacent to an inner surface of a wall of the main pipe segment. Arrangement according to Claim 4 comprising the at least one catalytic component on the inner surface of the wall of the main pipe segment. Arrangement according to Claim 1 which comprises at least one hydrogen permeable tube which is arranged centrally in the main tube and which forms the hydrogen outlet at one end of the hydrogen permeable tube. Arrangement according to Claim 1 comprising a plurality of vortex tubes arranged in a toroidal configuration, wherein a first vortex tube of the plurality of vortex tubes forms the inlet of the vortex tube and supplies fluid to an inlet of a next vortex tube of the plurality of vortex tubes. Arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the inlet of the vortex tube is in fluid communication with an outlet of an engine. Method comprising: Reforming hydrocarbon fuel using at least one vortex tube; wherein reforming involves removing hydrogen from carbon-based constituents in molecules of the Hydrocarbon fuel includes; Separating the hydrogen from the carbon-based constituents using the vortex tube to clear a carbon-free hydrogen stream; and Delivering the hydrogen stream to a hydrogen acceptor, wherein the vortex tube used to reform the hydrocarbon fuel has: a catalytic component inside the vortex tube, a vortex chamber, an inlet of the vortex tube leading into said vortex chamber, the vortex tube comprising a main tube segment communicating with the vortex chamber and having a carbon outlet different from a hydrogen outlet of the vortex tube, the inlet of the vortex tube between the hydrogen outlet and the carbon outlet is arranged, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is admitted tangentially into the main pipe segment and is obtained in the form of a steam / hydrocarbon mixture from a mixer tank in fluid communication with a steam tank and a hydrocarbon fuel tank, wherein the vortex tube generates hydrogen by reforming the hydrocarbon in said steam / hydrocarbon mixture. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein exhaust gas from an engine is reformed using said vortex tube, said engine receiving the hydrocarbon stream. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the carbon-based components are supplied to the engine. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the engine is a diesel engine. Procedure according to Claim 9 wherein the main tube segment defines a tube axis and an inlet axis of the vortex chamber is perpendicular to said tube axis. Procedure according to Claim 9 wherein the steam / hydrocarbon mixture from the swirl chamber is received at an inlet of the main pipe segment which is at one end of the main pipe segment.

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