Patent GB-986668-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for converting methane into carbon monoxide and hydrogen
IPC: C01B3/30
Filed: 1961-05-17
Abstract: <PICT:0986668/C1/1> Carbon monoxide and hydrogen are prepared from methane by the combined action of steam and oxygen in the presence of a nickel catalyst. The steam/oxygen ratio is high enough to ensure an aggregate endothermic reaction.  Two gaseous reaction mixtures are provided, viz.:- oxygen plus steam and methane plus steam, which are preheated to a temperature in the range 1290 DEG  to 1650 DEG  F. and are supplied to the underside of a porous base-plate supporting a fluidized bed of the nickel catalyst.  This underside of the base plate is divided into a great number of elementary surfaces constituting two juxtaposed groups, the individual members of which are arranged alternately underneath the base plate, e.g. as indicated in section at "a" and "b" in Fig. 4. One of the above mentioned gas mixtures is supplied to the elements "a" and the other to the elements "b."  The gas streams thus begin mixing on the base plate and mix completely and react as they rise through the bed.  The fluidized bed is heated by U-shaped tubes which almost reach the base plate and are suspended from the top of the reactor.  These tubes either contain an electric heating element or have passed through them the heat and combustion gases from a burner using hydrocarbon and oxygen. An alternative heating method is to embed a metal ring in the reactor wall and cause induction currents to flow through it. Alternative arrangements for subdividing the underside of the base plate are illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 (not shown).  Specifications 976,485 and 976,486 are referred to.ALSO:<PICT:0986668/C4-C5/1> Carbon monoxide and hydrogen are prepared from methane by the combined action of steam and oxygen in the presence of a nickel catalyst. The steam/oxygen ratio is high enough to ensure an aggregate endothermic reaction. Two gaseous reaction mixtures are provided, vix.-oxygen plus steam and methane plus steam, which are preheated to a temperature in the range 1290 DEG  to 1650 DEG  F. and are supplied to the under-side of a porous base-plate supporting a fluidized bed of the nickel catalyst.  This under-side of the base-plate is divided into a great number of elementary surfaces constituting two juxtaposed groups, the individual members of which are arranged alternately underneath the base-plate, e.g. as indicated in section at a and b in Fig. 4.  One of the above-mentioned gas mixtures is supplied to the elements a and the other to the elements b. The gas streams thus begin mixing on the base-plate and mix completely and react as they rise through the bed.  The fluidized bed is heated by U-shaped tubes which almost reach the base-plate and are suspended from the top of the reactor.  These tubes either contain an electric heating element or have passed through them the heat and combustion gases from a burner using hydrocarbon and oxygen.  An alternative heating method is to embed a metal ring in the reactor wall and cause induction currents to flow through it.  Alternative arrangements for subdividing the under-side of the base-plate are illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 (not shown).  Specifications 976,485 and 976,486 are referred to.