Patent ID: 6881394
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: B01J,C01B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for producing syngas with a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of about 2:1 comprising the steps of: a) providing a combustion reactor; b) providing a steam reforming reactor having walls, wherein the steam reforming reactor is substantially inside of the combustion reactor and at least one wall of the steam reforming reactor comprises a substantially hydrogen-only permeable membrane; c) providing a catalyst system inside of the steam reforming reactor to catalyze the steam reforming of methane to produce syngas with a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of about 3:1, wherein about ⅓ of the hydrogen generated permeates through the substantially hydrogen only permeable membrane into the combustion reactor; and d) combusting the permeated hydrogen in the combustion reactor to provide heat to drive the endothermic steam reforming reaction in the steam reforming reactor.