Vessel for the generation of synthesis gas
First Claim
1. In an essentially cylindrical vessel for the generation of synthesis gas at relatively high pressure utilizing hydrocarbons, including a first wall portion defining a catalytic endothermic reforming section, a plurality of reformer tubes having outlet ends, the reformer tubes capable of being heated externally and being filled with a catalyst, the reformer tubes mounted within the reforming section and extending parallel to the longitudinal axial direction of the vessel, an inlet nozzle opening into the first wall portion for introducting a mixture of hydrocarbons and steam into the vessel such that the mixture flows through the reformer tubes, whereby reforming gas is generated in the reformer tubes, an outlet nozzle defined in the first wall portion, a second wall portion adjacent the first wall portion, the second wall portion having a greater diameter than the first wall portion, an end wall connected to the second wall portion, the second wall portion and the end wall defining a pressure chamber forming a partial oxidation section, the outlet ends of the reformer tubes opening into the partial oxidation section, the partial oxidation section serving for mixing the reforming gas with additional hydrocarbons and oxygen or oxigen-rich gas, the improvement comprising a plurality of inlet devices for the hydrocarbons and oxygen or oxygen-rich gas, the inlet devices each defining an axis and mounted in the second wall portion, the axes of the inlet devices extending at an angle α
- relative to the radial direction of the vessel and the axes of the inlet devices extending transversely of the axial direction of the vessel at an angle β
ranging from parallel with to inclined to a radial plane of the vessel, the inlet devices axially spaced from the outlet ends of the reformer tubes and from the bottom wall of the vessel, whereby the gases in the partial oxidation section are conducted in a rotating pattern in circumferential direction of the vessel and in a loop-shaped pattern in axial direction of the vessel, such that the gases are conducted from the center of the partial oxidation section toward the bottom wall and then toward the lower wall portion, so that the gases flow upwardly along the lower wall portion toward the reforming section where the gases heat the reformer tubes and subsequently leave the vessel via the outlet nozzle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vessel for the generation of synthesis gas at a high pressure, using hydrocarbons, includes a catalytic endothermic reforming section with a plurality of reformer tubes heated externally and filled with a catalyst, and a mixture of hydrocarbons and steam entering the reformer tubes which are positioned by a common plate. The reforming gas generated in the tubes flows from the tubed section into a partial oxidation section which has a larger diameter than the tubed section and the shape of a pressure vessel closed at one end, the free ends of the reformer tubes penetrating into the partial oxidation section, and in which inlet gas such as additional hydrocarbons and oxygen or oxygen-rich gas are mixed with the reforming gas. A plurality of inlet devices for the inlet gas are positioned in the cylindrical shell of the partial oxidation section with the axes of the gas flow streams being inclined away from the radial. The inlet devices are spaced a predetermined distance from the outlet end of the reformer tubes such that a rotary gas vortex is produced and the product gas stream flows through the outer section of the chamber, heats the reformer tubes and leaves the reforming section via an outlet nozzle.
41 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In an essentially cylindrical vessel for the generation of synthesis gas at relatively high pressure utilizing hydrocarbons, including a first wall portion defining a catalytic endothermic reforming section, a plurality of reformer tubes having outlet ends, the reformer tubes capable of being heated externally and being filled with a catalyst, the reformer tubes mounted within the reforming section and extending parallel to the longitudinal axial direction of the vessel, an inlet nozzle opening into the first wall portion for introducting a mixture of hydrocarbons and steam into the vessel such that the mixture flows through the reformer tubes, whereby reforming gas is generated in the reformer tubes, an outlet nozzle defined in the first wall portion, a second wall portion adjacent the first wall portion, the second wall portion having a greater diameter than the first wall portion, an end wall connected to the second wall portion, the second wall portion and the end wall defining a pressure chamber forming a partial oxidation section, the outlet ends of the reformer tubes opening into the partial oxidation section, the partial oxidation section serving for mixing the reforming gas with additional hydrocarbons and oxygen or oxigen-rich gas, the improvement comprising a plurality of inlet devices for the hydrocarbons and oxygen or oxygen-rich gas, the inlet devices each defining an axis and mounted in the second wall portion, the axes of the inlet devices extending at an angle α
- relative to the radial direction of the vessel and the axes of the inlet devices extending transversely of the axial direction of the vessel at an angle β
ranging from parallel with to inclined to a radial plane of the vessel, the inlet devices axially spaced from the outlet ends of the reformer tubes and from the bottom wall of the vessel, whereby the gases in the partial oxidation section are conducted in a rotating pattern in circumferential direction of the vessel and in a loop-shaped pattern in axial direction of the vessel, such that the gases are conducted from the center of the partial oxidation section toward the bottom wall and then toward the lower wall portion, so that the gases flow upwardly along the lower wall portion toward the reforming section where the gases heat the reformer tubes and subsequently leave the vessel via the outlet nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- relative to the radial direction of the vessel and the axes of the inlet devices extending transversely of the axial direction of the vessel at an angle β
Specification