Reforming Heat Exchange Autothermal

Heat exchange autothermal reforming, with a process gas heated steam reformer (heat exchange reformer) and a separate secondary reformer, or in a combined autothermal reformer, using excess or enriched air (under-stoichiometric or stoichiometric H/N ratio)... 

Chen et al. [452] developed start-up strategies for a 3-kWei methane fuel processor through dynamic simulations. The experimental fuel processor is shown in Figure 5.64. It was composed of two heat-exchangers for feed pre-heating, an autothermal reformer, three water-gas shift stages and three stages for preferential... 

The coupling of SR with POX is termed autothermal reforming (ATR). The exact definition varies. Some define ATR as an SR reaction and a POX reaction that take place over microscopic distances at the same catalytic site thus avoiding complex heat exchanging (16). Others have the less restrictive definition that ATR occurs when there is no wall between a combined SR reaction and catalytic POX reaction. ATR is carried out in the presence of a catalyst that controls the reaction pathways and thereby determines the relative extents of the POX and SR reactions. The SR reaction absorbs part of the heat generated by the POX process reaction, limiting the maximum temperature in the reactor. The net result is a slightly exothermic process. 

There have been fuel processor configurations where a non-catalytic POX is placed in series with a steam reformer. Without catalyst, the POX reaction has to be at a higher temperature than the steam reformer reaction. These reactions have to take place in separate compartments with heat exchange and a wall between them (13). This configuration is not considered within the definition of autothermal reforming. 

Unlike the methane steam reformer, the autothermal reformer requires no external heat source and no indirect heat exchangers. This makes autothermal reformers simpler and more compact than steam reformers, resulting in lower capital cost. In an autothermal reformer, the heat generated by the POX reaction is fully utilized to drive the SR reaction. Thus, autothermal reformers typically offer higher system efficiency than POX systems, where excess heat is not easily recovered. 

Figure 17.13. Multibed catalytic reactors (a) adiabatic (b) interbed coldshot injection (c) shell and tube (d) built-in interbed heat exchanger (e) external interbed exchanger (f) autothermal shell, outside influent-effluent heat exchanger (g) multishell adiabatic reactor with interstage fired heaters (h) platinum-catalyst, fixed bed reformer for 5000 bpsd charge rate reactors 1 and 2 are 5.5 ft dia by 9.5 ft high and reactor 3 is 6.5 x 12.0 ft.

Fig. 1.23. Flowsheet for a heat-integrated system of an autothermal gasoline reformer (ATR) and a high-temperature shift stage (HTS) interconnected with a heat exchanger [37].

FIG. 19-3 Fixed-bed reactors with heat exchange, (a) Adiabatic downflow, (b) Adiabatic radial flow, low AP. (c) Built-in interbed exchanger, (d) Shell and tube, (e) Interbed cold-shot injection, (f) External interbed exchanger, (g) Autothermal shell, outside influent/effluent heat exchanger. (h) Multibed adiabatic reactors with interstage heaters, (t) Platinum catalyst, fixed-bed reformer for 5000 BPSD charge rates reactors 1 and 2 are 5.5 by 9.5 ft and reactor 3 is 6.5 by 12.0 ft temperatures 502 433, 502 => 471,502 => 496°C. To convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048 BPSD to m3/h, multiply by 0.00662. 

Figure 3.3. Schematic representation of partial oxidation (POX), autothermal reforming (ATR), and catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) reformers followed by H2 purification steps. HEX, heat exchanger.

Heat exchangers and vaporizers with very low pressure losses have been developed and are being supplied to interested collaborators for evaluation, A low pressure-drop water vaporizer sufficient to supply a 50 kWe autothermal reformer was designed, constructed, and delivered to McDermott Technology, Inc. Vaporizers and heat exchangers were provided to other industrial partners as well. 

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