Process for producing ammonia synthesis gas
US9040011B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/52
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention concerns a process for producing ammonia synthesis gas from the reforming of hydrocarbons with steam in a primary reformer (1) equipped with a plurality of externally heated catalytic tubes and then in a secondary reformer (2) together with an oxidant gas. In this process, the reaction of said hydrocarbons with said steam in said primary reformer (1) is performed at an operating pressure of at least 45 bar in the catalytic tubes and a flow of essentially pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is added to said secondary reformer as oxidant gas for substantially reforming together with said all the hydrocarbons content of said product gas exiting the primary reformer (1). In the case essentially pure oxygen is used as oxidant gas, a flow of nitrogen is added downstream the secondary reformer (2) to reach a N2/H2 molar ratio corresponding to or close to the stoichiometric ratio for ammonia synthesis. This process allows to obtain high synthesis gas production capacities and lower investment and energy costs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.