US4904455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of synthesis gas using convective reforming
Assignee: TEn Process Technology Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-14
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2007-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A convective reformer device is provided which is useful for partially reforming a feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam. The device includes an outer shell enclosure and a tubular inner core assembly and is specifically adapted to support heat exchange between a heating fluid, which may be an effluent from downstream, and the hydrocarbon-steam feed mixture. The convective reformer is used in a system and process for the steam reformation of hydrocarbons, in which the partially reformed effluent from the convective reformer is further reformed in a steam reforming furnace, or an auto-thermal reformer, or a steam reforming furnace followed by an auto-thermal reformer. The fully reformed effluent from the steam reformer, or auto-thermal reformer, is directed back to the convective reformer to supply the heat of reaction for the partial reformation of the feed mixture. This heating fluid may be directed through the tube portion of the convective reformer, or alternatively, through the shell portion, either of which may be filled with catalyst. The gas that emerges from the convective reformer, which has undergone heat exchange with the feed mixture may be used to preheat the feed mixture to the convective reformer.
Inventors
- 👤 Maxim Karafian
- 👤 Irving C. Tsang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:17
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/02; B01J8/06; B01J8/062; B01J8/067; C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/32; C01B3/34; C01B3/38; C01B3/384; C01B3/386; B01J2208/00; B01J2208/00008; B01J2208/00017; B01J2208/00106; B01J2208/00168; B01J2208/00212; B01J2208/00221; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00761; B01J2219/00763; B01J2219/00765; B01J2219/00777; C01B2203/00; C01B2203/08; C01B2203/0805; C01B2203/0811; C01B2203/0816; C01B2203/0822; C01B2203/0827; C01B2203/0838; C01B2203/0844; C01B2203/0866; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10; Y02P20/129
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A device for the convective reforming of a feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam into a hydrogen-rich gas, which comprises: (1) an outer shell enclosure comprising (i) two end portions, (ii) a cylindrical main body portion, (iii) separate inlet and outlet conduit means for the conveyance of a heating fluid and (iv) perforated distribution plate means in said inlet and outlet conduit means for delivering the heating fluid substantially uniformly to and from (2) a core assembly within the outer shell enclosure, which comprises (i) separate inlet and outlet means at opposite ends for the flow-through of the feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam, said inlet means consisting essentially of a fluid flow through conduit integrally connected to and able to move in concert with said core assembly, said inlet and outlet means extending through the outer shell enclosure (1) to the outside, and (ii) a multiplicity of tubular conduits open to the path of feed mixture flow, the conduits being adapted to contain a particulate solid catalyst for contacting with the feed mixture, wherein outer enclosure (1) and core assembly (2) are separated by a passageway for the heating fluid which is in open communication with the heating fluid inlet and outlet means of outer shell enclosure (1), the passageway surrounding tubular conduits (ii) of core assembly (2).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
219 words
A device for the convective reforming of a feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam into a hydrogen-rich gas, which comprises: (1) an outer shell enclosure comprising (i) two end portions, (ii) a cylindrical main body portion, (iii) separate inlet and outlet conduit means for the conveyance of a heating fluid and (iv) perforated distribution plate means in said inlet and outlet conduit means for delivering the heating fluid substantially uniformly to and from (2) a core assembly within the outer shell enclosure, which comprises (i) separate inlet and outlet means at opposite ends for the flow-through of the feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam, said inlet means consisting essentially of a fluid flow through conduit integrally connected to and able to move in concert with said core assembly, said inlet and outlet means extending through the outer shell enclosure (1) to the outside, and (ii) a multiplicity of tubular conduits open to the path of feed mixture flow, the conduits being adapted to contain a particulate solid catalyst for contacting with the feed mixture, wherein outer enclosure (1) and core assembly (2) are separated by a passageway for the heating fluid which is in open communication with the heating fluid inlet and outlet means of outer shell enclosure (1), the passageway surrounding tubular conduits (ii) of core assembly (2).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, in which core assembly (2) also includes baffling means for enhancing the velocity of the heating fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1, in which at least the majority of the inside surface of outer shell enclosure (2) is lined with a layer of insulation material which retards heat loss and allows the use of carbon steel for the outer shell enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, in which outer shell enclosure (1) comprises carbon steel and tubular conduits (2) (ii) comprise stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1, which comprises from 250 to 1000 of tubular conduits (2) (ii).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 1, in which the orifices in the lower ends of tubular conduits (2) (ii) are constricted sufficiently to retain the particulate solid catalyst while insuring a uniform flow of feed mixture therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1, in which outer shell enclosure (2) includes one or more means of access to the inside to permit loading and unloading of catalyst in tubular conduits (2) (ii).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |