Appeal 2007-4230
Application 09/984,339
temperature profile in view of a function of a temperature of a reformate gas
stream emerging from the CO oxidation stage of the reforming reactor”
(Answer 4).
Indeed, the Examiner has not shown nor do we find where Wiesheu
discloses the measurement and/or a determination of the temperature of any
gas stream emerging from a reforming reactor whether or not a CO
oxidation stage is included. It follows that Wiesheu does not disclose setting
a steam (water vapor)/ methanol mixing ratio in the mixture preparation step
as a function of the temperature of the CO oxidation stage effluent.
According to the Examiner, Heil discloses a three-stage carbon
monoxide oxidation reaction system and method in which a temperature is
measured via a sensor and adjusted in the reactor to any desired temperature
profile along the reaction gas mixture flow path (Answer 5). This procedure
is said to counteract an aging-related shift in the temperature profile within a
reforming reactor (Answer 5; Heil, Abstract, col. 1, ll. 7-11, col. 2, ll. 5-58,
col. 3, l. 17, col. 7, l. 40, Figs 1 and 2).
Based on these assertions, the Examiner takes the position that:
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
art at the time the applicants’ invention was made to modify the
process for operating a steam reforming system, as disclosed by
Wiesheu et al., by using the method and apparatus for selective
catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide, as taught by Heil et al.,
in order to achieve practically any desired temperature profile
along the flow path of the reaction gas mixture (Heil et al.:
abstract; column 2, lines 17-48; column 6, lines 51-62; and
column 7, lines 4-23).
Answer 5.
4
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