Patent GB-610078-A (GB)
Title: Hydrogen production
IPC: C01B3/38
Filed: 1946-01-21
Abstract: <PICT:0610078/III/1> In the preparation of hydrogen by reacting a petroleum hydrocarbon containing more than two carbon atoms per molecule with steam at an elevated temperature using a nickel catalyst, the hydrocarbon is mixed with a gaseous substance and the mixture heated, then mixed with further gaseous substance and contacted with the heated catalyst, the gaseous substance in at least one of the steps comprising steam.  As shown, petroleum oil from preheater 2 and filter 3 is atomized at 5 by superheated steam and the mixture passed with a co-current of superheated steam from conduit 9 through reaction tube 11 heated by furnace 13.  Examples are given indicating various operating conditions, the catalyst temperature ranging from 1200 DEG  to 2000 DEG  F.  Oils specified are p  kerosene, diesel oil, fuel oil and residual oil; they may be emulsified with water prior to atomization.  Propane, butane, volatile hydrocarbons and corresponding olefines are also mentioned. Hydrogen, nitrogen or combustion gases may replace steam in one of the addition stages.  About 1.7 parts by weight total steam per part of oil is employed.  The temperature of the mixture passing to the catalyst should be from 700 DEG  to 1500 DEG  F.  A suitable catalyst is prepared by drying and calcining a paste of magnesia and nickel nitrate hexahydrate, mixing with zirconium silicate, compressing into lumps and reducing the nickel oxide to nickel.  Other catalysts mentioned are nickel supported on diaspore or activated alumina, and alumina-promoted nickel catalysts.  The cracked gases, containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, may be used for reducing metal oxide ores, or may be treated with excess steam at 350-700 DEG  C. in the presence of an iron oxide, or iron oxide-chromium oxide catalyst to convert the monoxide into carbon dioxide which may be separated.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the manufacture of ethylene by omitting the catalyst from the cracking tube.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:In the preparation of hydrogen by reacting a petroleum hydrocarbon containing more than two carbon atoms per molecule with steam at an elevated temperature using a nickel catalyst, the hydrocarbon is mixed with a gaseous substance and the mixture heated, then mixed with further gaseous substance and contacted with the heated catalyst, the gaseous substance in at least one of the steps comprising steam.  As shown, petroleum oil from preheater 2 and filter 3 is atomized at 5 by superheated steam and the mixture passed with a co-current of superheated steam from conduit 9 through reaction tube 11 heated by furnace 13. Examples are given indicating various operating conditions, the catalyst temperature ranging <PICT:0610078/IV(b)/1> from 1200 DEG  to 2000 DEG  F.  Oils specified are kerosene, diesel oil, fuel oil and residual oil; they may be emulsified with water prior to atomization.  Propane, butane, volatile hydrocarbons and corresponding olefines are also mentioned. Hydrogen, nitrogen or combustion gases may replace steam in one of the addition stages. About 1.7 parts by weight total steam per part of oil is employed. The temperature of the mixture passing to the catalyst should be from 700 DEG  to 1500 DEG  F.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the manufacture of ethylene by omitting the catalyst from the cracking tube.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.