Process for the production of synthesis gas

• US 7,717,971 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Topsoe
• Original Assignee: Haldor Topsã¸E A/S (Haldor Topsã¸E Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Christensen, Peter Seier, Aasberg-Petersen, Kim, Hansen, Jens-Henrik Bak, Dybkjær, Ib, Rostrup-Nielsen, Thomas, Erikstrup, Niels
• Primary Examiner(s): Neckel; Alexa D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handal; Kaity V.
• Application Number:
  US11/759,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20070231221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 48/61
• US Class Current: 48/127.9
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0233 the reforming step being a steam reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0244 the reforming step being an autothermal reforming step, e.g. secondary reforming processes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0844 the non-combustive exothermic reaction being another reforming reaction as defined in groups C01B2203/02 - C01B2203/0294
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1035 Catalyst coated on equipment surfaces, e.g. reactor walls
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/143 Three or more reforming, decomposition or partial oxidation steps in series
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/148 involving a recycle stream to the feed of the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/82 Several process steps of C01B2203/02 - C01B2203/08 integrated into a single apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/382 Multi-step processes

Abstract

Process and system for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon feed stock comprising the steps of endothermic and/or adiabatic catalytic steam reforming and autothermal steam reforming in series, wherein the steam reforming is carried out in one or more endothermic stages in series or in one or more adiabatic steam reforming stages in series with intermediate heating of feed stock gas leaving the adiabatic reforming stages and wherein carbon monoxide containing gas characterised by having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon of less than 4.5 is added prior to at least one of the endothermic or adiabatic steam reforming stages and/or prior to the autothermal steam reforming step.

Claims

1. A steam reforming system for use in a process for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon feed stock comprising:

optionally a pre-reformer for adiabatic pre-reforming of the feed stock;

at least a first and last adiabatic catalytic steam reformer and/or a reformer for endothermic catalytic steam reforming;

means for intermediate heating of the feed stock between the at least first and last adiabatic steam reformer;

a down stream autothermal steam reformer connected in series with the reformer for endothermic steam reforming or with the last adiabatic steam reformer; and

means for addition of a carbon monoxide containing gas between the at least first and last adiabatic reformer and/or between the reformer for endothermic catalytic steam reforming and the autothermal reformer,

wherein the means for addition of the carbon monoxide containing gas is a tail gas recycle line from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis gas and/or a Fischer-Tropsch product work-up unit.