Patent ID: 7501078

Claim:
A process for generating synthesis gas comprising: introducing a reactant gas mixture comprising steam and a light hydrocarbon at a density modified inlet mass rate of 5.7 kg/m 2 s to 30 kg/m 2 s, at a first pressure, P 1 , and at a first temperature into a tubular reactor wherein the tubular reactor has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end and the outlet end defining a length, L, therebetween, and wherein the tubular reactor comprises a tube portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the tubular reactor comprises a catalyzed structured packing within the tube portion; combusting a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas external to the tubular reactor thereby heating the outer surface of the tube portion by radiation from a flame generated by the combustion of the fuel and the oxygen-containing gas to provide heat for reacting the reactant gas mixture; reacting the reactant gas mixture in the tubular reactor thereby converting a percentage of the light hydrocarbon to generate a product mixture comprising synthesis gas; and withdrawing the product mixture from the outlet end at a second pressure, P 2 and at a second temperature.