Patent ID: 9206044
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: C01B,C10K

Abstract:
1. A process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds, said synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, and having a ratio, R, defined as R═(H 2 —CO 2 )/(CO+CO 2 )<0.6 and a steam to carbon monoxide ratio ≦1.8, comprising the steps of (i) heating the synthesis gas, (ii) passing at least a portion of the heated synthesis gas adiabatically through a first bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst disposed in a first shift vessel at a gas hourly space velocity ≧12,500 hour −1 to form a pre-shifted gas stream to convert 10 to 40% by moles of the carbon monoxide present in the synthesis gas to carbon dioxide, and (iii) forming a shifted gas stream by subjecting at least a portion of the pre-shifted gas stream to a second stage of water-gas shift in a second shift vessel containing a second bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst that is cooled in heat exchange with a gas stream comprising the synthesis gas.