Patent ID: 6207078
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: C01B

Abstract:
A process for the production of synthesis gas, comprising the steps of:feeding a first flow comprising hydrocarbons and a first gas flow comprising steam to a primary reforming section;feeding a first gas flow comprising oxygen to a secondary reforming section;reacting said hydrocarbons and said steam first in the primary reforming section and then--together with said oxygen--in the secondary reforming section, obtaining a first gas phase comprising CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 ;characterized in that it further comprises the steps of:feeding a second flow comprising hydrocarbons, a second gas flow comprising steam and a second gas flow comprising oxygen to an autothermal reforming section arranged in parallel with respect to said primary and secondary reforming sections;reacting said hydrocarbons, said steam and said oxygen in said autothermal reforming section, obtaining a second gas phase comprising CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 ;combining said second gas phase comprising CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 with said first gas phase comprising CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2.