Autothermal Reformer-Reforming Exchanger Arrangement for Hydrogen Production
First Claim
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1. A process for producing hydrogen, comprising:
- catalytically reforming a first hydrocarbon portion with steam and air in an autothermal reactor to produce a first syngas effluent at a temperature from 650°
to 1050°
C.;
supplying the first syngas effluent to a reforming exchanger;
passing a second hydrocarbon portion with steam through a catalyst zone in the reforming exchanger to form a second syngas effluent;
discharging the second syngas effluent from the catalyst zone adjacent the inlet to form a syngas admixture with the first syngas effluent;
passing the admixture across the catalyst zone in indirect heat exchange therewith to cool the admixture and heat the catalyst zone;
collecting the cooled admixture from an outlet of the reforming exchanger;
shift converting the admixture to obtain a carbon dioxide-rich gas stream lean in carbon monoxide; and
separating the carbon dioxide-rich gas stream to form a hydrogen-lean, mixed gas stream comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide and a hydrogen-rich product stream.
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Abstract
Low-energy, low-capital hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger 14 is placed in parallel with an autothermal reformer (ATR) 10 to which are supplied a preheated steam-hydrocarbon mixture. An air-steam mixture is supplied to the burner/mixer of the ATR 10 to obtain a syngas effluent at 650°-1050° C. The effluent from the ATR is used to heat the reforming exchanger, and combined reformer effluent is shift converted and separated into a mixed gas stream and a hydrogen-rich product stream. High capital cost equipment such as steam-methane reformer and air separation plant are not required.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A process for producing hydrogen, comprising:
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catalytically reforming a first hydrocarbon portion with steam and air in an autothermal reactor to produce a first syngas effluent at a temperature from 650°
to 1050°
C.;
supplying the first syngas effluent to a reforming exchanger;
passing a second hydrocarbon portion with steam through a catalyst zone in the reforming exchanger to form a second syngas effluent;
discharging the second syngas effluent from the catalyst zone adjacent the inlet to form a syngas admixture with the first syngas effluent;
passing the admixture across the catalyst zone in indirect heat exchange therewith to cool the admixture and heat the catalyst zone;
collecting the cooled admixture from an outlet of the reforming exchanger;
shift converting the admixture to obtain a carbon dioxide-rich gas stream lean in carbon monoxide; and
separating the carbon dioxide-rich gas stream to form a hydrogen-lean, mixed gas stream comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide and a hydrogen-rich product stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23)
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18. Apparatus for preparing syngas, comprising:
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autothermal reactor means for catalytically reforming a first hydrocarbon portion with steam and air to produce a first syngas effluent at a temperature from 650°
to 1050°
C.;
means for supplying the first syngas effluent to an inlet of a reforming exchanger;
means for passing a second hydrocarbon portion with steam through a catalyst zone in the reforming exchanger to form a second syngas effluent;
means for discharging the second syngas effluent from the catalyst zone adjacent the inlet to form a syngas admixture with the first syngas effluent;
means for passing the admixture across the catalyst zone in indirect heat exchange therewith to cool the admixture and heat the catalyst zone;
means for collecting the cooled admixture from an outlet from the reforming exchanger;
means for shift converting the admixture to obtain a carbon dioxide-rich gas stream lean in carbon monoxide; and
means for separating the carbon-dioxide-rich gas stream to form a hydrogen-lean, mixed gas stream comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide and a hydrogen-rich product stream. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification