Patent GB-993973-A (GB)
Title: Process for the production of gases containing hydrogen by conversion of hydrocarbons
IPC: C01B3/38
Filed: 1961-07-19
Abstract: <PICT:0993973/C1/1> The carbon monoxide and/or methane content in the gaseous product of the cyclic catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons according to the parent Specification is reduced by catalytic reactions.  In the parent Specification, gases containing hydrogen are produced by the catalytic conversion of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons with steam in successive cycles consisting of heating and conversion phases separated by steam scavenging, the catalyst being positioned on a gas and liquid-permeable support through which the heating gas, steam and conversion gas pass.  The secondary converters for CO and CH4 are joined in either order to the primary conversion furnace and a heat exchanger is present to lower the temperature of the gases entering the CO converter to 350-500 DEG C., this heat being utilized to produce steam for the conversion of CO.  The CH4 conversion is carried out at 750-850 DEG  C. The catalyst 4 in the primary conversion furnace 1 is heated by oxidizing fumes from burners 3 and 5, these fumes being subsequently exhausted through 6 and 7.  The steam/hydrocarbon mixture is introduced through 9 or 10 depending on whether the hydrocarbon is a gas or liquid.  The converted gas is passed through 8 into the secondary cracking oven 11 and oxygen, air or oxygenated air is added through 13 in a quantity dependent on the final product required.  Combustion occurs and the CO2 and H2O so produced oxidize residual CH4 to CO during passage through the catalyst 12 which may be nickel-based.  The CO converter 18 may be a single oven containing 1 or 2 catalyst layers which may be the same or different.  If removal of CH4 is not required the oven 11 may be omitted and 22 connected directly to 21.  By modifying the conditions and concentrations used and by incorporating a purification step if necessary, pure hydrogen or gases suitable for the ammonia or methanol synthesis or town gas supplies may be produced.ALSO:The CO and/or CH4 content in the gaseous product of the cyclic catalystic conversion of hydrocarbons according to the parent Specification is reduced by catalytic reactions.  In the parent Specification gases containing H2 are <PICT:0993973/C4-C5/1> produced by the catalytic conversion of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons with steam in successive cycles consisting of heating and conversion phases separated by steam scavenging, the catalyst being positioned on a gas- and liquid-permeable support through which the heating gas, steam and conversion gas pass.  The secondary converter for CO and CH4 are joined in either order to the primary conversion furnace and a heat exchanger is present to lower the temperature of the gases entering the CO converter to 350-500 DEG  C., this heat being utilized to produce steam for the conversion of CO.  The CH4 conversion is carried out at 750-850 DEG  C.  The catalyst 4 in the primary conversion furnace 1 is heated by oxidizing fumes from burners 3 and 5, these fumes being subsequently exhausted through 6 and 7. The steam/hydrocarbon mixture is introduced through 9 or 10 depending on whether the hydrocarbon is a gas or liquid.  The converted gas is passed through 8 into the secondary cracking oven 11 and oxygen, air or oxygenated air is added through 13 in a quantity dependent on the final product required.  Combustion occurs and the CO2 and H2O so produced oxidize residual CH4 to CO during passage through the catalyst 12 which may be nickel based.  The CO converter 18 may be a single oven containing 1 or 2 catalyst layers which may be the same or different.  If removal of CH4 is not required the oven 11 may be omitted and 22 connected directly to 21.  By modifying the conditions and concentrations used and by incorporating a purification step if necessary, pure H2 or gases suitable for the ammonia or methanol synthesis or for town gas supplies may be produced.