Patent ID: 9365422
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: C01B,Y02P

Claim Text:
1. A method for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system, the method comprising the steps of: separating an oxygen containing stream into an oxygen permeate and an oxygen depleted retentate stream using a plurality of oxygen transport membrane elements disposed in the oxygen transport membrane based reforming system; oxidizing a hydrogen containing stream contacting a permeate side of the oxygen transport membrane elements with the oxygen permeate to generate a reaction product stream and heat; pre-heating a hydrocarbon containing feed stream and combining the pre-heated hydrocarbon containing feed stream with steam and then with a portion of the reaction product stream to produce a combined feed stream having a steam to carbon ratio between about 1.6 and 3.0 and a temperature between about 500° C. and 750° C.; reforming the combined feed steam in the at least one catalyst containing reforming reactor in the presence of the catalyst and the heat generated by the reaction of the hydrogen containing stream and permeated oxygen to produce a synthesis gas stream, the at least one catalyst containing reforming reactor disposed proximate the oxygen transport membrane elements; and recycling a portion of the synthesis gas stream to the permeate side of the plurality of oxygen transport membrane elements to form all or a part of the hydrogen containing stream wherein the recycled portion of the synthesis gas is maintained at a temperature of less than about 400° C. or a temperature of greater than about 800° C. such that the oxygen transport membrane based reforming system is substantially free of metal dusting corrosion.