Reformer tube with internal heat exchange

US9278328B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude · FR
• Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions Germany GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Holger Schlichting · Hofheim, DE
• Ulrich Wolf · Laax, CH
• Sven Pohl · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Dieter Ulber · Steinbach, DE
• Udo Zolnowski · Linden, DE
• Antonio Coscia · Hadamar, DE
• Julien Cances · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Frederic Camy-Peyret · Paris, FR
• Fabrice Mathey · Voisins-le-Bretonneux, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 8, 2016
• Expiry date: Nov 7, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B2203/1235
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A reformer tube for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming of hydrocarbon-containing feed gases, preferably natural gas, includes one or more helically coiled heat exchanger tubes which are arranged within a catalyst bed of a reforming catalyst and are helically coiled over part of their length located within the catalyst bed and are otherwise straight are present, where the straight proportion of the heat exchanger tubes and/or the helix pitch of the helically coiled part alters within the catalyst bed and matching to requirements of the pressure drop, the heat exchange properties, and the corrosion resistance.