Patent GB-973755-A (GB)
Title: Process for producing hydrogen
IPC: C01B3/30
Filed: 1961-09-19
Abstract: <PICT:0973755/C1/1> Hydrogen and a gas containing CO and CO2 are produced by cracking a light hydrocarbon stream in contact with fluidized catalyst particles at at least 650 DEG  C. and below 980 DEG  C. to form H2 and the carbon containing catalyst particles are withdrawn to a regeneration zone where they are fluidized by a limited supply of oxygen containing gas at 705 DEG  to 980 DEG  C. to form CO and CO2. The regenerated catalyst particles are withdrawn, stripped and returned to the cracking zone. In the Figure, a methane stream passes via line 1 and heat exchanger 2 to a riser line 4 at e.g. 427 DEG  C. wherein it is mixed with regenerated catalyst particles at e.g. 899 DEG  C. by means of conduit 5 and valve 6. In the reaction zone 7, the mixture of methane and catalyst at e.g. 843 DEG  C. is distributed to give a fluidized phase and the hot gaseous product is discharged via particle separator 10 to conduit 11 and valve 13 whence it passes through heat exchangers 2 and 15 and on to product. Catalyst particles are withdrawn from 7, via conduit 17 and valve 18 to the regenerating zone 19 wherein they are contacted with air or an oxygen containing gas introduced via line 21. Thus the catalyst is heated to 899 DEG  C. for the endothermic reaction in zone 7. The resultant gas is discharged via a particle separator 23 and line 24 to a carbon monoxide burner 32 and out through stack 35. If regenerator 19 is too hot the oxidizing gas entering 19 by line 21 may be diluted by addition of spent burner gas via line 38. If the regenerator is not hot enough a stream of hydrocarbon is introduced via line 38. The catalyst particles pass through a stripper 27 which contains a plurality of baffle plates 28 wherein a non-oxidizing stripping gas which may be nitrogen or a portion of the product hydrogen stream, is introduced by line 29. Product hydrogen is bled from line 14 via line 30. The carbon monoxide burner 32 may be used to produce steam. The catalyst to hydrocarbon is in the range 20 to 250. The carbon residue on the regenerated catalyst is in the range 1-8%. The carbon monoxide amounts to more than 90% of oxides of carbon issuing from the regenerator. Known catalysts are specified.ALSO:Hydrogen and a gas containing CO and CO2 are produced by cracking a light hydrocarbon stream in contact with fluidized catalyst particles at at least 650 DEG  C. and below 980 DEG  C. to form H2 and withdrawing the carbon-containing catalyst particles to a regeneration zone where they are fluidized by a limited supply of oxygen containing gas at 705 DEG  to 980 DEG  C. to form CO <PICT:0973755/C4-C5/1> and CO2.  The regenerated catalyst particles are withdrawn, stripped and returned to the cracking zone.  In the Figure, a methane stream passes via line 1 and heat exchanger 2 to a riser line 4 at e.g. 427 DEG  C. wherein it is mixed with regenerated catalyst particles at e.g. 899 DEG  C. by means of conduit 5 and valve 6.  In the reaction zone 7, the mixture of methane and catalyst at e.g. 843 DEG  C. is distributed to give a fluidized phase and the hot gaseous product is discharged via particle separator 10 to conduit 11 and valve 13 whence it passes through heat exchangers 2 and 15 and on to product.  Catalyst particles are withdrawn from 7, via conduit 17 and valve 18 to the regenerating zone 19 wherein they are contacted with air or an oxygen containing gas introduced via line 21.  Thus the catalyst is heated to 899 DEG  C. for the endothermic reaction in zone 7.  The resultant gas is discharged via a particle separator 23 and line 24 to a carbon monoxide burner 32 and out through stack 35.  If regenerator 19 is too hot the oxidizing gas entering 19 by line 21 may be diluted by addition of spent burner gas via line 36.  If the regenerator is not hot enough a stream of hydrocarbon is introduced via line 38. The catalyst particles pass through a stripper 27 which contains a plurality of baffle plates 28 wherein a non-oxidizing stripping gas which may be nitrogen or a portion of the product hydrogen stream, is introduced by line 29. Product hydrogen is bled from line 14 via line 30. The carbon monoxide burner 32 may be used to produce steam.  The catalyst to hydrocarbon is in the range 20 to 250.  The carbon residue on the regenerated catalyst is in the range 1-8%.  The carbon monoxide amounts to more than 90% of oxides of carbon issuing from the regenerator.  The catalyst base may be silica-alumina or silica with magnesia or one or more oxides of Zr or T; together with Cr, Mo or V. Ni, Fe, or Co compounds may also be used as catalysts, whilst the particle size may be less than 2 mm. but preferably 0.01 to 0.8 mm.