Micro reformer
AssigneeBD Energy Systems, LLC
InventorDaniel Joseph Barnett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reformer suitable for micro-scale design has horizontal catalyst tube(s) passing through a baffled radiant section for convective and radiant heat transfer to the tube(s). To reduce the footprint and/or to facilitate field assembly a combustion chamber and convection section can be oriented transversely with respect to the radiant section; the tube(s) can be horizontal and/or include structured catalyst; and/or the combustion chamber provides flameless combustion or produces a flame without impinging on the tubes. Also, a skid frame-mountable version of the reformer; and a process for transporting, assembling, and/or operating the steam methane reformer.
Claims39
A reformer comprising:
- a combustion chamber in communication with a longitudinal radiant section to supply flue gas from a burner to the radiant section;
- a horizontal tube passing longitudinally through the radiant section;
- catalyst disposed in the horizontal tube to reform a feed gas comprising hydrocarbon and steam;
- a refractory lining in the radiant section for radiant heat transfer to the horizontal tube;
- and
- at least one baffle in the radiant section to direct a flow path of the flue gas transversely across the horizontal tube for convective heat transfer to the horizontal tube.
A skid frame-mountable micro reformer comprising:
- a combustion chamber module comprising a burner in a combustion chamber to supply flue gas;
- a radiant section module comprising:
- a longitudinal radiant section;
- a horizontal tube passing longitudinally through the radiant section;
- a refractory lining in the radiant section for radiant heat transfer to the tube;
- at least one baffle in the radiant section to direct a flow path of the flue gas transversely across the horizontal tube for convective heat transfer to the tube;
- and
- a structured catalyst disposed in the tube to reform a feed gas comprising hydrocarbon and steam;
- a convection section module comprising a convection section to pass flue gas from the radiant section in heat exchange relation with a combustion air preheater and a feed gas preheater;
- wherein the combustion chamber and the convection section have ends mateable in transverse orientation for connection to respective first and second ends of the radiant section;
- optionally, one or more skid frames for mounting the combustion chamber module, the radiant section module, the convection section module, or a combination thereof.
A reforming process to produce synthesis gas, comprising:
- supplying flue gas to a longitudinal radiant section of a reformer from a burner in a combustion chamber in communication with the radiant section;
- reforming a feed gas comprising hydrocarbon and steam in a horizontal tube comprising catalyst disposed therein and passing longitudinally through the radiant section;
- transferring radiant heat to the horizontal tube from a refractory lining in the radiant section;
- and
- directing a flow path of the flue gas transversely across the horizontal tube with at least one baffle in the radiant section for convective heat transfer to the horizontal tube.
A method comprising:
- connecting a combustion chamber to communicate with a longitudinal radiant section to supply flue gas from a burner in the combustion chamber;
- passing a horizontal tube longitudinally through the radiant section;
- lining the radiant section with a refractory material for radiant heat transfer to the tube;
- installing at least one baffle in the radiant section to direct a flow path of the flue gas transversely across the horizontal tube for convective heat transfer to the tube;
- and
- disposing a structured catalyst in the tube to reform a feed gas comprising hydrocarbon and steam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.