# US 2010/0166646 A1 · Method and system for adjusting the temperature profile of a catalyzer in a reformer

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- Number: US 2010/0166646 A1
- Document ID: US20100166646A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/377,443
- Filed: 2007-07-10
- Published: 2010-07-01
- Earliest claimed: 2006-08-30
- Assignees: Enerday GmbH
- Inventors: Andreas Lindermeir
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166646A1

## CPC

- B01J 8/0214: {in a cylindrical annular shaped bed}
- B01J 8/0278: {Feeding reactive fluids (for solid material B01J8/0015)}
- B01J 8/0285: {Heating or cooling the reactor (for tubular reactors in furnaces B01J8/062)}
- C01B 3/382: Processes with two or more reaction steps, of which at least one is catalytic, e.g. steam reforming and partial oxidation
- B01J 2208/00061: of the reactants
- B01J 2208/00309: with two or more reactions in heat exchange with each other, such as an endothermic reaction in heat exchange with an exothermic reaction
- B01J 2208/00548: Flow
- B01J 2219/002: inside the reactor
- B01J 2219/00218: Dynamically variable (in-line) parameter values
- B01J 2219/00231: at the reactor inlet
- C01B 2203/0244: the reforming step being an autothermal reforming step, e.g. secondary reforming processes
- C01B 2203/0844: the non-combustive exothermic reaction being another reforming reaction as defined in groups C01B2203/02 - C01B2203/0294
- C01B 2203/142: At least two reforming, decomposition or partial oxidation steps in series
- C01B 2203/82: Several process steps of C01B2203/02 - C01B2203/08 integrated into a single apparatus
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}

## Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the temperature profile of a catalyst in a reformer. In accordance with the invention it is provided for that the fuel feed rates in various media feed zones are tweaked so that a wanted temperature profile results in the reforming zone of the reformer whilst maintaining the air ratio as applicable to the overall reforming process.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for adjusting the temperature profile of a catalyst in a reformer
wherein the reformer comprises an oxidation zone and a reforming zone featuring the catalyst, the reforming zone being in thermal contact with the oxidation zone,
wherein the reformer comprises a first media feed zone and a second media feed zone,
wherein the oxidation zone comprises a first oxidation zone end portion facing the first media feed zone and facing away from the second media feed zone, and a second oxidation zone end portion facing the second media feed zone and facing away from the first media feed zone,
wherein the reforming zone comprises a first reforming zone end portion facing the first media feed zone and facing away from the second media feed zone, and a second reforming zone end portion facing the second media feed zone and facing away from the first media feed zone,
wherein the method comprises the steps of:
feeding fuel and air to the first media feed zone to generate a fuel/air mixture,
introducing the fuel/air mixture into the oxidation zone via its first oxidation zone end portion and performing a total oxidation reaction with at least a proportion of the fuel supplied to the first media feed zone in the oxidation zone,
feeding fuel to the second media feed zone,
combining at least part of the flue gas generated in the oxidation zone and emerging therefrom via the second oxidation zone end portion with the fuel supplied to the second media feed zone to generate a flue gas fuel mixture,
introducing the flue gas fuel mixture into the reforming zone via its second reforming zone end portion and performing a catalytic reforming in the reforming zone, and
discharging reformate from the reforming zone via its first reforming zone end portion,
characterized in that the feed rates of the air and fuel supplied to the first media feed zone (20) as well as the feed rates of the fuel supplied to the second media feed zone are adapted to each other so that the temperature profile of the catalyst is as wanted, an air ratio relative to the process overall assuming or maintaining a predefined value.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the wanted temperature profile remains constant.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature profile is sensed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature profile is known as a function of the reformer output as well as of the fuel and air feed rates, these functions being taken into account when tweaking the fuel and air feed rates.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein when the reformer output is constant the air feed is substantially constant.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein air is supplied to the second media feed zone.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein when the temperature profile is characterized by temperatures which are too low in the second reforming zone end portion and too high in the first reforming zone end portion the feed rate of the fuel supplied to the first media feed zone is reduced whilst the feed rate of the fuel supplied to the second media feed zone is increased, the air feed rate being maintained constant.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein when the temperature profile is characterized by temperatures which are too high in the second reforming zone end portion and too low in the first reforming zone end portion the feed rate of the fuel supplied to the first media feed zone is increased whilst the feed rate of the fuel supplied to the second media feed zone is reduced, the air feed rate being maintained constant.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A system for reforming fuel including a reformer and an electronic controller, the controller being suitable for open or closed loop control of a method in accordance with claim 1.