Oxygen-fuel boost reformer process and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of generating reformed gases, said method comprising:
- a. combusting a mixture of a first supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen in a first stage to provide flame gases;
b. passing said flame gases into a second stage in an axial direction;
c. injecting a second supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen into said second stage in a direction coaxial with said flame gases; and
d. causing said flame gases to react with said second supply of said gaseous hydrocarbon in second stage to produce reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process and apparatus for the production of reformed gases. Natural gas and oxygen are combusted in a first stage to produce carbon dioxide and water. The products of combustion are conveyed to a second stage. Reforming gas and oxygen are injected into the second stage and mixed with the products of combustion to react with the carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The process and apparatus are particularly adapted for use in supplementing the reform gases produced in a Direct Reduced Iron plant wherein iron ore is reduced to iron inside a shaft furnace. The process and apparatus may also be used to provide heated enrichment natural gas for use as a source of carbon in the shaft furnace to provide for carburization of the iron. Additionally, the process and apparatus may be used as a process control device for controlling the temperature of the reformed gases flowing to the shaft furnace.
52 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of generating reformed gases, said method comprising:
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a. combusting a mixture of a first supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen in a first stage to provide flame gases; b. passing said flame gases into a second stage in an axial direction; c. injecting a second supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen into said second stage in a direction coaxial with said flame gases; and d. causing said flame gases to react with said second supply of said gaseous hydrocarbon in second stage to produce reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10)
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6. A method of generating reformed gases to provide additional reformed gas capacity for existing reform gases, said method comprising:
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a. mounting a mixing tube in a location so that it is surrounded by existing reformed gases, b. combusting a mixture of a first supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen in a first stage to provide flame gases; c. passing said flame gases into a second stage; d. injecting a second supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen into said second stage; e. causing said flame gases to react with said second supply of said gaseous hydrocarbon in second stage to produce reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and f. causing said produced reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide to pass from said mixing tube into said existing gases. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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11. A gas reformer for generating reformed gases comprising:
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a. a burner for combusting a mixture of a first supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen in a first stage to produce combustion products; b. an elongated mixing tube providing a second stage into which said combustion products are conveyed in an axial direction; and c. an injector for injecting a mixture of a second supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen into said second stage in a direction co-axial with said combustion products for reaction with the combustion products of said first stage to produce reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 31)
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21. A method for supplementing the amount of reform gas used in direct reduced iron plants wherein primary reformed gas is supplied to a furnace from a primary reformer and passed through the iron ore to produce iron;
- said method comprising,
a. combusting a mixture of a first supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water; b. passing said carbon dioxide and water into a second stage; c. injecting a second supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen into a second stage; d. causing said carbon dioxide and water to react with said second supply of said gaseous hydrocarbon in said second stage to produce secondary reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and e. injecting said secondary reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide into the path of the primary reformed gas to the furnace. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- said method comprising,
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29. A gas reformer for generating supplemental reformed gases in a direct reduced iron plant wherein primary reformed gas is supplied through a path from a primary reformer to a furnace and passed through the iron ore to produce iron;
- said reformer comprising;
a. a burner for combusting a mixture of a first supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen in a first stage to produce combustion products; b. an elongated mixing tube providing a second stage into which said combustion products are conveyed, said mixing tube opening into the path of the reformed gases to said furnace; and c. an injector for injecting a mixture of a second supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen into said second stage for reaction with the combustion products from said first stage to produce reformed hydrogen and carbon monoxide which exit said mixing tube and enter said path of said reformed gases. - View Dependent Claims (30)
- said reformer comprising;
Specification