Vessel for the generation of synthesis gas

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.