GAS HEATED REFORMER

Ziel

The engineering and construction of a gas-heated reformer to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and mixtures of syn-gas in an energy efficient manner, dedicated tuned to the needs of the customer. This new technology replaces conventional steam reformer, whereby energy is saved and environmental advantages are realised.
The energy balance of the gas-heated reformer is calculated in Nm³ natural gas. The existing steam reformer uses energy in terms of natural gas : 74375 Nm³/hr. The gas heated reformer will use 60208 Nm³/hr that will result in hourly saving 14167 Nm³/hr.
The syn-gas production unit will consist of a gas heated reformer, combined with CO2 wash-unit; a cold box for separation of hydrogen and CO recycling and a PSA unit for production of pure hydrogen.
The gas-heated reformer is based on a new process, in which no steam reforming furnace is necessary. The reforming process is realised by adding pure oxygen to the natural gas flow. This leads to an auto thermal reaction, of which the heat is used to realise the steam reforming. The risks of this new reforming process are the critical conditions of the controlled oxidation of natural gas in the oxygen-fired auto-thermal reactor. The use of catalysts, the working conditions in terms of pressure and the piping materials in the reactor are still under development. The process conditions are determined by the end-products needed by the customers. the engineering is focussed on minimal maintenance costs and maximum production time. The existing steam reforming processes use a natural gas fired furnace to produce the heat needed to realise the steam reforming. The heat of the exothermal process of the gas-heated reformer is used to react the steam and the natural gas in the steam reforming part of the gas-heated reformer. This technology is new in relation to conventional steam reforming for this capacity and demands thorough engineering to make the process conditions flexible and related to the product-mix required.
It is assumed that energy savings lie in terms of 20% in relation to the natural gas use in conventional steam reformers with the same capacity, no exhaust of flue-gas and waste heat is produced and emission of CO2 is significantly reduced.
The investment costs are expected to lay significantly under the level of a conventional steam reformer. The reason is that no furnace is needed because the reforming process is realised in the auto thermal section and the steam reforming section.

Wissenschaftliches Gebiet

Programm/Programme

FP4-NNE-THERMIE C - Specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1994-1998

Thema/Themen

6.2 - INDUSTRY

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Koordinator

LINDE AG, WERKSGRUPPE TVT MUNCHEN

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

CARL V. LINDE STRASSE
8023 Hollriegelskreuth
Deutschland

Gesamtkosten