# US 9,039,934 B2 · Coiled reformer catalyst tube for compact reformer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,934 B2 - Document ID: US9039934B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/957,724 - Filed: 2010-12-01 - Published: 2012-06-07 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-01 - Assignees: Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc. - Applicants: Albertus J. Ekelmans - Inventors: Albertus J. Ekelmans - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039934B2 ## CPC - C01B 3/384: with external heating of the catalyst - B01J 8/062: {being installed in a furnace} - B01J 12/007: {in the presence of catalytically active bodies, e.g. porous plates} - B01J 19/243: {spirally, concentrically or zigzag wound} - B01J 2208/00504: by means of a burner - B01J 2219/00038: Processes in parallel - B01J 2219/00157: by means of a burner - C01B 2203/0233: the reforming step being a steam reforming step - C01B 2203/0811: by combustion of fuel - C01B 2203/0816: Heating by flames - C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C} - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS ## Abstract A method for producing a chemical reaction is provided. This method includes providing at least two helical tubes, wherein the helical tubes comprise: a first axis and a second axis; wherein the first axis and the second axis are normal to each other; a cross-sectional shape of a predetermined contour; and an inlet end and an outlet end. The method includes reforming a first gas stream and a second gas stream into a third gas stream in the presence of a catalyst. The method includes surrounding a heat source with the helical tubes are, and operating the tube with an average catalyst temperature of above 500 F. An apparatus for producing a chemical reaction is also provided. This apparatus comprises at least two helical tubes, wherein the helical tubes comprise: a first axis and a second axis; wherein the first axis and the second axis are normal to each other; a cross-sectional shape of a predetermined contour; an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the helical tubes contain a catalyst capable of reforming a first gas stream and a second gas stream into a third gas stream. The helical tubes are designed to surround a heat source, and the tube operates with an average catalyst temperature of above 500 F. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compact reformer reactor for steam methane reforming comprising: a vessel having an inner volume; a burner configured to produce a flame and provide heat to the inner volume by combusting a fuel source in the presence of oxygen; a convective coil disposed within the reaction zone, the convective coil configured to absorb heat within the reaction zone, the convective coil having an inlet, an outlet, a cross-sectional shape of a predetermined contour, and a height, wherein the predetermined contour is selected from the group consisting of a conical frustum, a stable flame, and a hybrid cylindrical helix/conical frustum; a catalyst disposed within the convective coil, the catalyst configured to enhance a reforming reaction; and a combustion gas outlet in fluid communication with the inner volume, the combustion gas outlet located at a point distal the burner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convective coil is disposed within the vessel such that the burner is aligned with the vertical axis of the convective coil. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet of the convective coil is nearer the burner than the outlet of the convective coil. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convective coil has a substantially constant mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convective coil has a mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil that is reduced along the height of the convective coil, such that thermodynamic efficacy is improved as compared with a convective coil having a substantially constant mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mean diameter is reduced at a constant rate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convective coil has a substantially constant mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil for a first portion of the height of the convective coil, and wherein the mean diameter of the convective coil is progressively reduced for a second portion of the height of the convective coil, such that thermodynamic efficacy is improved as compared with a convective coil having a substantially constant mean diameter along the entire height of the convective coil. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, the convective coil comprises a cross sectional profile configured to allow for a thermal flux to be approximately constant about the entire height of the convective coil. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vessel is substantially cylindrical. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined contour approximates a cylindrical helix. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined contour approximates a conical frustum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined contour approximates the contour of a stable flame from the burner. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined contour approximates a hybrid cylindrical helix/conical frustum. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an absence of trombones or expansion joints. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method for reforming a gas comprising methane, the method comprising the steps of obtaining the compact reformer reactor as claimed in claim 1; introducing the gas comprising methane into the inlet of the convective coil; providing heat to the inner volume by combusting a fuel source in the presence of oxygen to form a combustion gas; reacting the methane in the presence of steam to produce a reforming gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; withdrawing the reforming gas at the outlet of the convective coil; withdrawing the combustion gas from the inner volume via the combustion gas outlet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the convective coil is disposed within the vessel such that the burner is aligned with the vertical axis of the convective coil. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inlet of the convective coil is nearer the burner than the outlet of the convective coil. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the convective coil has a substantially constant mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the convective coil has a mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil that is reduced along the height of the convective coil, such that thermodynamic efficacy is improved as compared with a convective coil having a substantially constant mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the mean diameter is reduced at a constant rate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the convective coil has a substantially constant mean diameter about the vertical axis of the convective coil for a first portion of the height of the convective coil, and wherein the mean diameter of the convective coil is progressively reduced for a second portion of the height of the convective coil, such that thermodynamic efficacy is improved as compared with a convective coil having a substantially constant mean diameter along the entire height of the convective coil. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, the convective coil comprises a cross sectional profile configured to allow for a thermal flux to be approximately constant about the entire height of the convective coil. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the vessel is substantially cylindrical. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the predetermined contour approximates a cylindrical helix. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the predetermined contour approximates a conical frustum. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the predetermined contour approximates the contour of a stable flame from the burner. ### Claim 27 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the predetermined contour approximates a hybrid cylindrical helix/conical frustum. ### Claim 28 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising an absence of trombones or expansion joints.