Process and apparatus for separation, removal, and purification of solid carbon outcoming from a hydrogen production reactor by methane and/or hydrocarbons cracking with low CO2 emissions

An apparatus for continuously separating, removing and purifying a solid residue, resulting from the conversion of hydrocarbons into carbon and hydrogen, from a homogeneous phase having a different density contained in a cracking reactor with which said solid residue is not soluble, said apparatus comprising:

• a reactor provided with a shell on which at least one outlet nozzle is provided in order to facilitate the release of the gas/solid stream produced inside said reactor and provided with a barrier of hollow cylindrical shape, made of a refractory material, coaxial with the shell of the reactor adapted to divide the volume of said reactor into a calm annular zone and an inner reaction zone, said barrier being provided with at least one weir at the top and at least one opening at the bottom to allow the homogeneous phase having a different density to pass from the calm annular zone to the inner reaction zone;
• at least one distributor placed at the bottom of the reactor for an injection of hydrocarbon into the reactor;
• an impeller operable by a shaft driven by a motor placed outside the reactor;
• and
• an exit pipe connecting said reactor to a system configured to separate the solid phase from the gaseous phase, the system comprising:
• at least one primary separator,
• at least one collection chamber downstream of the at least one primary separator,
• at least one intermediate transfer tank downstream of the at least one collection chamber and provided with a MP vent valve connected to a medium pressure circuit,
• at least one final storage tank downstream of the at least one intermediate transfer tank and provided with a BP vent valve connected to a low pressure circuit, a second atmospheric ATM vent valve connected to a vent, and a bottom valve configured to discharge solids,
• at least one primary valve placed between the collection chamber and the intermediate tank configured to transfer solids from said collection chamber to the intermediate tank,
• at least one secondary valve placed between the intermediate tank and the storage tank configured to transfer solids from the intermediate tank to the storage tank, and
• a control and automation system for opening the valves by a PLC.