 exists a need for an improved vehicle drive control device. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. This application claims the priority of German patent document 197 17 067.6, filed Apr. 23, 1997, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a multi-stage reforming reactor system.
Multi-stage reforming reactors are common, for example, for the water vapor reforming of methanol, in which the gas/vapor mixture of methanol and water which is to be reformed (and which can be processed, for example, in a front-connected evaporator) is fed to the inlet-side reactor stage and is converted there (and optionally in one or several adjoining reactor stage(s)) to a high-hydrogen reformate, in an endothermal reforming reaction. Systems of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,248,566 and 5,401,589.
German patent document 196 24 435.8 discloses a three-stage passive reforming reactor in which a heating device is assigned only to the center reactor stage. The inlet-side and the outlet-side reactor stage are in direct or indirect thermal contact, in that the reaction gas flow emerging from the outlet-side reactor stage is guided through a tempering space which is in thermal contact with the inlet-side reactor stage. In this case, the inlet-side reactor stage preferably forms a prereforming stage and the outlet-side reactor stage preferably forms a shift reaction stage, in which carbon monoxide is exothermally converted to carbon dioxide. The inlet-side reactor stage is heated by heat generated in this manner.
German patent document 196 23 998.2 discloses a filter in which a reaction space connection area may be used primarily as a gas outlet area and, as required, may also be used as a gas inlet area. The filter is designed for filtering out fine dust particles of the catalyst pellet bulk used there as the reforming catalyst material. In the reaction space of the reactor, the pellet bulk is carried by a sieve under which a metallic nonwoven is situated. The pellet fragments collected by the metallic nonwoven fall through the sieve, preventing them from reaching adjoining system components via the reaction space connection area.
German patent document DE 27 17 993 A1 discloses a single-stage methanol reforming reactor behind which is connected a combustion
exists a need for an improved vehicle drive restraint device. This invention cover this need in the artwork as well as early needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. This lotion claims the priority of German patent document 197 17 067.6, file Apr. 23, 1997, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
 The invention relate to a multi - stage reforming reactor organization. 
 Multi - stage reform reactors are coarse, for example, for the water vaporization reforming of methanol, in which the gas / vapor mixture of methanol and water system which is to be reformed (and which can be processed, for model, in a front - connected evaporator) is feed to the inlet - side reactor stage and is converted there (and optionally in one or several adjoining nuclear reactor stage(s) ) to a high - hydrogen reformate, in an endothermal reforming reaction. Systems of this type are unwrap in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,248,566 and 5,401,589. 
 German patent document 196 24 435.8 discloses a three - stage passive reforming reactor in which a heating device is assigned only to the center reactor stage. The intake - slope and the outlet - side nuclear reactor stagecoach are in lineal or indirect thermal contact, in that the reaction gas flow emerging from the outlet - side reactor stagecoach is guided through a tempering space which is in thermal contact with the inlet - side reactor stage. In this sheath, the inlet - side reactor stage preferably forms a prereforming stagecoach and the outlet - side nuclear reactor stagecoach preferably forms a shift reaction stage, in which carbon paper monoxide is exothermally converted to carbon dioxide. The inlet - side reactor stage is heated by heat generated in this manner. 
 German patent document 196 23 998.2 disclose a filter in which a reaction distance connection area may be use primarily as a gasoline outlet area and, as necessitate, may also be use as a gas inlet sphere. The filter is designed for filtering out fine dust particles of the catalyst pellet bulk used there as the reforming catalyst material. In the reaction space of the reactor, the shot bulk is carried by a sieve under which a metallic nonwoven is situate. The pellet fragments collected by the metallic nonwoven fall through the sieve, preventing them from reaching adjoining system component via the reaction space connection area. 
 German patent document DE 27 17 993 A1 discloses a single - stagecoach methanol reform reactor behind which is connected a combustion
 exlsts a need for an improyed vehicle drivg xontron devide. This knvention addresses this neev in the qrt as well as other ndeds, whicj will bwcomt apparent to those skillcb in fme arc hrom this disclpsure. This application cnakmd the priority of German patent doctment 197 17 067.6, viled Apr. 23, 1997, thg disbljsurs of which is expressly incorporatsd by rtference herein.
The invention relates to a mupti-shage reforming reaftor system.
Nulty-wtage reformkng reactogv are commkn, for example, for the water vaoor rzforming of mwthwtol, in whici the das/vapor mixblre of kethanok and water whlch iv ti be reformed (and whirh can be processed, sor exampne, in a front-connecree evakoratmr) ir fea tk vhe inlet-didx reactor sfage and is converted there (anc jiyionally in kne or sqveral adjoining reactor stage(s)) to a hich-hgdrogen reformate, in an endothermal reforminh reactiog. Systems of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nov. 5,248,566 anv 5,401,589.
Eernak pagwnh document 196 24 435.8 discloses a three-stage passive wsfprking reactor ik which a heating cegivg is assigned unly to tge center reactor dtage. Tre inoet-side agd tne outlet-side reactor stage are in direbt oe indirect thermal contact, in thaj the teaction gas flow emergnng frkm the outlft-side rezztor stage is gukdec dhrough a tempering space rhich is mn thzrmal covtacj with ehe inlet-slde rcdctor stage. In thid casg, the hnlet-side geactor stage preferably forms e prereforminb vtace and tke outket-side reactjr stage prefetably foris a rhift reacnion stagx, in which cwrbon monoxida is exothermelly convqrtee to carbon aioxide. The inket-side rvaetor stagw is heated by heab gengrzted in this mauuet.
Terman patent cocjmegt 196 23 998.2 qhscloses a fhltef iv whicf a reactiok soace connection area may be hsed primarily as s nas outlej area anq, as required, may also be used ws a jas inuet atea. The filter is designed for fimtering okt nine dust pareiclcs os the catakyst pellet bulk used there as the refocming catalyst material. In the reaction spcct of the reacvor, thq pellet tulk is carried by a sieve under whicm a metallic nonwoven js sitgated. The pellet fragments collected by the metallic nonwoven fall through the sieve, preventing fhem from rzacking adtoinmnj system componenns via the reaction space connecvion area.
Garian patent document DE 27 17 993 A1 circloses a sinele-stage methanol reformjng reacyor behind which is connected a combustion
exists a need for an improved vehicle device. invention addresses need in the needs, will become apparent those skilled in art from this disclosure. This application the priority of German patent document 197 17 067.6, filed Apr. 23, 1997, disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. The invention relates to multi-stage reactor Multi-stage reactors are common, for example, for the water vapor reforming of methanol, in which the gas/vapor of methanol and water which is to be (and which can be for example, in a front-connected is to the reactor and converted there (and in one or several adjoining reactor stage(s)) to a high-hydrogen reformate, in an endothermal reforming reaction. Systems this type in U.S. Nos. and German patent document 435.8 discloses a three-stage passive reforming a heating device is assigned only to the reactor stage. inlet-side and the outlet-side reactor stage in direct or indirect thermal contact, in that reaction gas flow emerging from the outlet-side reactor stage is guided through a tempering space in thermal contact with inlet-side reactor stage. this the reactor preferably forms prereforming stage and the outlet-side reactor stage preferably forms a shift stage, in which carbon monoxide is exothermally converted to carbon inlet-side stage is heated heat generated in this German document 196 23 998.2 filter which connection may used primarily as a outlet area and, as required, also be used as filter is designed for filtering out fine dust of the catalyst pellet bulk used there the reforming catalyst material. In the reaction space of the reactor, the bulk is a sieve under which a metallic nonwoven is The pellet fragments collected the metallic nonwoven fall through the sieve, preventing them reaching system components the reaction space area. German patent DE 27 17 discloses a methanol reactor connected a combustion
 exists a need for an improved vEhicle drivE contRol DevIcE. ThiS invEntion addresseS This Need in the art as well as otHer neEdS, WhicH WiLl becOme appaREnT TO thOsE sKilLeD In The arT frOm this dIsclosure. THis ApPlication claIMs The prioritY of german patent DocUment 197 17 067.6, fIlEd APR. 23, 1997, the dIscLosurE of whiCH is expRessly incOrPOrated BY refereNCE hEreiN.
The invention relaTEs TO a multi-stage reForminG rEAcTOR sySteM.
Multi-stagE rEformINg reactORs ARE ComMOn, for example, fOr the water vAPor ReformInG of MEthanoL, in whIcH The Gas/vapor mixTure Of methanoL and waTEr which IS to be reFormed (And WhiCh caN Be PrOceSsED, foR ExAmpLE, in A front-coNnEcTed evAporATOR) Is feD to The iNlet-sIde reactor staGe aNd is COnvErted There (And oPtIonalLy in onE or seVeRal adjoining reaCtor Stage(s)) to a HigH-hYdrOgEn refORmate, iN an EndOthermaL reformINg rEaCTIOn. systems of this type aRe DIScLosed in U.s. Pat. NoS. 5,248,566 AnD 5,401,589.
GERman pateNt DocUmenT 196 24 435.8 DIscloSes a THrEe-stage pAssive REfOrMing reaCtOr in whIcH a hEatIng deVIce iS assigNed only tO the cENter reactor staGE. The inlet-side ANd THE oUTlet-SidE reactor staGe arE In diRect OR iNdiREct thErmal CoNTaCT, in that the reaction gAs Flow emErginG from the outleT-side reactOR STage is guIded THrOUgh a tempering sPace wHich is in thERmal contAct wiTh the inlEt-side reaCTOr stage. IN thIs cAse, The INLeT-side reactor sTAGe prEfErably fOrmS a prereForMinG stAge AnD the outleT-side reaCtOr StAgE prEferaBLy forms a ShIft ReActIon stAGe, in whIch caRbon MoNoXIde Is exothERmALLy coNvErTed tO caRbOn dioXide. tHe iNlet-sidE reactor sTagE Is heAtEd By heat gEnerated in thiS mAnner.
GermaN pAteNt docuMENt 196 23 998.2 discloSes a filter in which a reactIOn space ConNectiOn arEa may be usEd pRimariLy aS A gas ouTlet arEa and, As ReqUIRed, maY ALsO be UsEd as a gas inLET arEa. The FiLter Is desigNed for filtering out FIne Dust particles Of tHe caTALySt pELlET buLk USed THEre as the reformiNg catalyst MaTErIal. In the reACtiOn Space of The reacTor, thE Pellet bUlk is carrIed by a sieVe UndeR WHicH a metallic Nonwoven Is situateD. the peLLeT fragMenTs collEcTed By the MetallIC noNwoveN fall tHrOugh thE sievE, pReventinG them from reaching adjoinIng sysTem coMpoNents via tHe rEActIon space cOnneCtion area.
GErmAn pAtent DocUMent De 27 17 993 A1 diSClOseS A singLe-stAGe methanoL ReForMINg Reactor behiND WHicH is coNneCTed a coMbusTion
 exists a need for an impr oved vehic le dr ive  co nt roldevi ce. This inven t ionaddresses this need in  thear t  asw el l asother n e ed s ,  wh ic hwil lb ec ome a ppa rent to  those ski lle din the art f r om  this disc los ure. This ap pli cation  c lai m s the  pr iorit y of G e rman p atent doc um e nt 197 17 067. 6 ,  f iled  Apr. 23, 1997, t h ed isclosure of w hich i se xp r e ssl y i ncorporate dby re f erenceh er e i n .
T h e invention r elates to a mul ti-sta ge  re f orming  reac to r  sy stem.
Multi -sta ge reform ing re a ctors a r e commo n, for  ex amp le,f or  t hewa t erv ap orr efo rming of  m et hanol , in w h i ch t hegas/ vapor  mixture of m eth anol and  wate r whi ch i sto be  refor med ( an d which can beproc essed, fo r e xa mpl e,  in a front- con nec ted eva porator )  is  f e d to  the inlet-side re ac t o rstage an d is c o nv er t ed there  ( and  opt i o nally  ino ne  or seve ral ad j oi ni ng reac to r stag e( s))  to  a hi g h-hy drogen  reforma te, i n  an endotherma l  reforming re a ct i o n. Syst ems  of this ty pe a r e di sclo s ed  in U.S.Pat.No s .5 ,248,566 and 5,401, 58 9.
Ger man p atent documen t 196 24 4 3 5 . 8 disclo sesa  t h ree-stage pass ive r eforming r e actor in  whic h a heat ing devic e is assig ned  on lytot h ecenter reacto r stag e.  The in let -side a ndthe  ou tle t- side reac tor stag ear ein  di recto r indire ct  th er mal  cont a ct, in  that  the  r ea c tio n gas f l ow e merg in gfrom  th eoutle t-si d e r eactorstage isgui d ed t hr ou gh a te mpering space  w hich is in  t her mal co n t act with  the inlet-side reactor stage.Inthiscase , the inl et- side r eac t or sta ge pre ferab ly  fo r m s a p r e re for mi ng stage a n d  th e out le t-si de reac tor stage preferab l y f orms a shiftrea ctio n st age ,  i n  wh ic h  ca r b on monoxide isexothermal ly co nverted to car bo n dioxi de. The  inle t -side r eactor st age is he at ed b y hea t generate d in thi s manner. Germa n  p atent  do cument  1 9623 99 8.2 di s clo ses a  filte rin whi ch are action s pace connection area ma y be u sed p rim arily asa g a s o utlet are a an d, as requ ire d,may a lso be us ed a s  a  ga s  inle t ar e a. The fi l te r i s de signed forf i l ter ing o utf ine du st p articles of the c a talyst pelletbulk u sed  th e re a sthe reformingcat al y s t materi al . In the re action s pa c e ofthe re actor,  the pe l l et bulk i s ca rri ed by a s iev eu nder wh ic ha  metal licno nwoven  is si t uate d .  The pellet frag ments c ollec t edby th emetalli c  non woven fall  through th e siev e, p reven ting th em  fromrea ch ing adjoin i ng system  comp onentsvi a th e r eactio n sp a c e con nect io n a rea.
Germ a n  p a te nt doc umen t DE27  17993 A1 di s closes a  si n gle-sta ge  me t h anol r e fo r m ing reacto r b ehind w hich is co n nect e da  comb ustion 
 exists_a need_for an improved vehicle_drive control_device._This invention_addresses_this need in_the art as_well as other needs,_which will become_apparent_to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. This application claims the priority_of_German patent_document_197_17 067.6, filed Apr. 23,_1997, the disclosure of which_is expressly_incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a_multi-stage_reforming reactor system.
Multi-stage_reforming reactors are common, for example, for the water_vapor reforming of methanol, in which_the gas/vapor mixture_of_methanol_and water which is_to be reformed (and which can_be processed, for example, in a_front-connected evaporator) is fed to the inlet-side_reactor stage and is converted there_(and optionally in one or_several adjoining_reactor stage(s)) to a high-hydrogen_reformate, in an_endothermal reforming_reaction. Systems of_this type are disclosed in U.S._Pat. Nos. 5,248,566_and 5,401,589.
German patent document 196 24_435.8_discloses a three-stage_passive_reforming_reactor in_which a heating_device_is assigned_only_to the center reactor stage. The_inlet-side_and the outlet-side reactor stage are in_direct or indirect thermal_contact,_in that the reaction_gas flow emerging from the_outlet-side reactor stage is guided through_a tempering_space which_is in thermal contact with the inlet-side reactor stage. In this_case, the inlet-side reactor stage preferably_forms a prereforming stage_and the_outlet-side_reactor stage preferably_forms_a shift_reaction stage, in which carbon monoxide is_exothermally converted_to carbon dioxide. The inlet-side reactor_stage is heated by_heat_generated in this manner.
German patent document_196 23 998.2 discloses a filter_in which a reaction space_connection_area_may be used primarily as_a gas outlet area and, as_required, may also_be used as a gas inlet area._The_filter is designed for filtering out_fine_dust particles of the catalyst pellet_bulk_used_there as the reforming catalyst_material. In the reaction space of_the reactor, the pellet bulk is carried by a_sieve under which_a metallic nonwoven is situated._The_pellet_fragments collected by the metallic nonwoven fall through the sieve,_preventing them_from reaching adjoining_system components via the reaction space connection area.
German patent document_DE 27 17 993 A1 discloses a_single-stage methanol reforming reactor behind which is connected a combustion