Catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons for the production of hydrogen and carbon
OwnerMark Kevin Robertsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A new process for the decomposition of hydrocarbon feed stream(s) that achieves the conversion of a hydrocarbon feed stream to hydrogen and filamentous carbon, with minimal resulting production of carbon oxides is described herein. In this invention it is proposed to achieve the hydrocarbon conversion by the use of dual fluidized bed reaction zones, fluidly connected, for (i). hydrocarbon reaction (the reactor) and (ii). catalyst regeneration and heating (the regenerator) and to use a transition metal supported catalyst to achieve high hydrocarbon conversion and to produce high quality filamentous carbon.
Claims23
A process for the production of hydrogen and filamentous carbon from the catalytic thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon feedstocks comprising the steps of:
- a) contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst in a fluidized bed of supported transition metal, substantially non-porous, attrition resistant catalyst particles, classified as Geldart Group C (Cohesive) particulates, in a first reaction zone;
- b) attriting the majority of the formed filamentous carbon from the surface of the catalyst particles in the first reaction zone by particle motion in the fluidized bed and by gas injection(s) into the fluidized bed;
- c) separating the attrited filamentous carbon from the effluent gases exiting the first reaction zone;
- d) transferring the catalyst from the first reaction zone into a second reaction zone;
- introducing a fuel and an oxidant into the second reaction zone to heat and regenerate the catalyst via combustion of the fuel and residual carbon on the catalyst surface, in a reduced excess oxygen environment;
- e) returning the regenerated and heated catalyst from the second reaction zone to the first reaction zone;
- whereby, the conversion of the hydrocarbon feedstock is achieved with minimal production of carbon oxides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.