Patent ID: 8323365
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: C01B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A steam methane reforming method, the method comprising: introducing a first portion of a feedstock stream comprising steam and desulfurized hydrocarbons into a high space velocity catalytic reactor configured for dual mode operation, one of the dual modes of operation being operation without oxygen addition in a reforming mode and another of the dual modes of operation being operation with oxygen addition in a partial oxidation-reforming mode, wherein the high space velocity catalytic reactor is disposed downstream of a mixed feed preheater operating at a temperature range of about 900 to 1200° F., and a second portion of said feedstock stream bypass said high space velocity catalytic reactor prior to introducing the second portion of the feedstock into a steam methane reforming unit; reacting the first portion of said feedstock in the high space velocity catalytic reactor such that a pre-reformed gas is produced in the high space velocity catalytic reactor, the pre-reformed gas comprising reduced amounts of heavier hydrocarbons relative to the feedstock; withdrawing the pre-reformed gas from the high space velocity catalytic reactor; introducing the pre-reformed gas directly into said steam methane reforming unit; and reacting the pre-reformed gas in the steam methane reforming unit to produce a syngas.