Catalytic ceramic membrane steam/hydrocarbon reformer
OwnerRonald G. Minet, Theodore T. Tsotsisinventors
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Abstract
A diffusion process for steam reforming of a hydrocarbon to produce H.sub.2, CO and CO.sub.2, that includes: providing a generally tubular, porous, ceramic membrane, and providing a heated reaction zone in a container into which the membrane is received; the membrane carrying a catalytically active metallic substance; passing a hydrocarbon and steam containing first fluid stream into the zone and into contact with one side of the membrane, to produce CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 ; and passing a second fluid stream adjacent the opposite side of the membrane in such manner as to promote hydrogen diffusion through the membrane from said one side to said opposite side thereof; and removing hydrogen from the opposite side of the membrane.
Claims14
The process for steam reforming of a hydrocarbon to produce H.sub.2, CO and CO.sub.2, that includes:
- (a) providing a generally tubular, porous, catalytic ceramic membrane, and providing a heated reaction zone in a container extending annularly about said membrane,
- (b) said membrane carrying a catalytically active metallic substance,
- (c) passing a first fluid stream of hydrocarbon and steam into said zone and into contact with one side of said catalytic ceramic membrane, to produce CO.sub.2, CO and H.sub.2,
- (d) and passing a second fluid stream comprising steam adjacent to said opposite side of said membrane in such manner as to promote hydrogen diffusion through said membrane from said one side to the opposite side thereof,
- (e) and removing hydrogen from said opposite side of said membrane in said second stream of steam,
- (f) maintaining a heated, porous catalytic bed extending lengthwise adjacent said membrane, in said zone, transferring heat into said bed lengthwise thereof and via said container, and passing said first stream into said bed for flow in contact with the bed and heating therein followed by first stream contact said one side of the membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.