Patent ID: 9212113
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: B01J,C01B,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system, the method comprising the steps of: reforming a hydrocarbon containing feed stream in a reforming reactor in the presence of a reforming catalyst disposed in the reforming reactor and heat to produce a reformed synthesis gas stream; feeding the reformed synthesis gas stream to a reactant side of a reactively driven and catalyst containing oxygen transport membrane reactor, wherein the oxygen transport membrane reactor includes at least one oxygen transport membrane element configured to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing stream at the oxidant side of the reactively driven and catalyst containing oxygen transport membrane reactor to the reactant side through oxygen ion transport when subjected to an elevated operational temperature and a difference in oxygen partial pressure across the at least one oxygen transport membrane element; reacting a portion of the reformed synthesis gas stream with oxygen permeated through the at least one oxygen transport membrane element to produce the difference in oxygen partial pressure across the at least one oxygen transport membrane element and generate reaction products and heat, including a first portion of the heat required for the reforming of the hydrocarbon containing feed stream supplied through the radiation mode of heat transfer; and reforming unreformed hydrocarbon gas in the reformed synthesis gas stream in the presence of one or more catalysts contained in the oxygen transport membrane reactor, the reaction products and the heat to produce a synthesis gas product stream; wherein a second portion of the heat required for the initial reforming step is transferred from an auxiliary heat source disposed proximate the reforming reactor through the radiation mode of heat transfer, wherein the auxiliary heat source provides between about 15% and 85% of the heat required for the initial reforming of the hydrocarbon containing feed stream in the reforming reactor.