AUTOTHERMAL REFORMER-REFORMING EXCHANGER ARRANGEMENT FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
First Claim
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1. ) A process for reforming a hydrocarbon, comprising:
- catalytically reforming a first portion of a hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam and excess air in a first catalyst zone to produce a first effluent;
thermally reforming a second portion of the hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam in a second catalyst zone to form a second effluent;
combining the first effluent and second effluent to form a mixed effluent;
indirectly exchanging heat from the mixed effluent to the second catalyst zone; and
shift converting the mixed effluent to obtain a carbon dioxide-rich gas.
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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.
13 Citations
25 Claims
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1. ) A process for reforming a hydrocarbon, comprising:
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catalytically reforming a first portion of a hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam and excess air in a first catalyst zone to produce a first effluent;
thermally reforming a second portion of the hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam in a second catalyst zone to form a second effluent;
combining the first effluent and second effluent to form a mixed effluent;
indirectly exchanging heat from the mixed effluent to the second catalyst zone; and
shift converting the mixed effluent to obtain a carbon dioxide-rich gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 25)
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12. ) A system for reforming a hydrocarbon, comprising:
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a first reactor comprising a burner section and a catalyst zone disposed beneath the burner section;
a second reactor comprising a plurality of tubes disposed therein, wherein a catalyst for reforming an hydrocarbon is located either in the tubes or outside the tubes; and
a shift converter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. ) A system for reforming a hydrocarbon, comprising:
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means for catalytically reforming a first portion of a hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam and excess air in a first catalyst zone to produce a first effluent;
means for thermally reforming a second portion of the hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam in a second catalyst zone to form a second effluent, wherein the first effluent and second effluent are combined to provide a mixed effluent;
means for indirectly exchanging heat from the mixed effluent to the second catalyst zone; and
means for shift converting the mixed effluent to obtain a carbon dioxide-rich gas. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. ) A process for reforming a hydrocarbon, comprising:
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catalytically reforming a first portion of a hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam and excess air in a first catalyst zone to produce a first effluent;
thermally reforming a second portion of the hydrocarbon feed in the presence of steam in a second catalyst zone to form a second effluent;
combining the first effluent and second effluent to form a mixed effluent;
indirectly exchanging heat from the mixed effluent to the second catalyst zone;
shift converting the mixed effluent to obtain a carbon dioxide-rich gas;
separating the carbon dioxide-rich gas to provide a hydrogen-lean, mixed gas and a hydrogen rich gas, wherein the hydrogen-lean mixed gas comprises nitrogen and carbon dioxide; and
hydrotreating a hydrocarbon using the hydrogen rich gas. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification