Process for producing synthesis gas with preservation of the energy transfer by means of the fumes

US9321643B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude · FR

Inventors

• Catherine Denis · Champigny-sur-Marne, FR
• Pascal Marty · Bry-sur-Marne, FR
• Michel Masson · Neuenhaus, DE
• Bernd Polster · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Laurent Remy · Orsay, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 26, 2016
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/129
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention concerns a process for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming a hydrocarbon load in a reforming furnace provided with a combustion chamber and a convection chamber; the combustion chamber includes vertical tubes filled with catalyst wherein a mixture of hydrocarbons and steam circulates from top to bottom recovering raw synthesis gas at the bottom of the tubes, and burners disposed in rows heat the tubes; the convection chamber discharges fumes containing the gases produced by the combustion. The process also comprises steps of using the heat contained in the fumes for preheating and/or heating various fluids related or unrelated to the process. In the event of the reduction of the mass flow of fumes, the quantity of energy to be transferred into the convection area is maintained by supplying a supplementary gaseous flow to the combustion area.