Syngas production and separation plant comprising: -At least one reformer for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into a gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and at least one hydrocarbon as impurity, said reformer comprising a fired tubular reformer, a radiant section, a convection section and a heat recovery section, -a carbon monoxide cold box downstream of the reformer configured to produce a carbon monoxide-enriched gas stream and a waste gas stream comprising hydrogen and at least one hydrocarbon, -a passageway for feeding the radiant section of the reformer with a first part of the waste gas stream from cold box, -a compressor for compressing a second part of the waste gas stream from cold box, -a hydrogen-permeating membrane separation system configured to be fed by the compressed second part of the waste gas stream and to produce a hydrogen-enriched permeate and a hydrocarbon-enriched retentate.

Systems and methods are provided for forming particles containing pyrolysis coke during a forced-circulation hydrocarbon pyrolysis process. The gaseous hydrocarbon pyrolysis configuration described herein provides reduced coke fouling of the pyrolysis system. This is achieved using a forced circulation reactor design to move circulating coke through the reactor system. The gaseous hydrocarbon pyrolysis configuration is proposed to prevent the undesirable operational affects that occur in reaction zones that do not contain solid particles by maintaining an amount of solid particles above a threshold solids density in areas of the system with pyrolysis conditions. The threshold solids density is a density at which carbon formed during the pyrolysis reaction will have increased selectivity for depositing on circulating solid (coke) particles, while reducing or minimizing coke deposition on system surfaces.

A reformer for steam reforming a hydrocarbon-containing mixture, including a combustion chamber, a burner arranged within the combustion chamber, a first reactor tube which is arranged at least in sections within the combustion chamber, a catalyst arranged inside the first reactor tube, and an electrically heatable heating element is arranged inside the first reactor tube.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for cracking hydrocarbons into hydrogen gas and carbon using heating of a fluidized bed. The systems and methods utilize electrically conductive carbon or graphite particles as a fluidized bed material for heating hydrocarbon feedstock to at least a pyrolysis temperature. The electrically conductive carbon, graphite, or other particles may be heated by electrically powered sources that include induction heating, microwave heating, millimeter wave heating, joule heating and/or plasma heating. Combustion heating may also be employed in varying amounts with varying combinations of electrically powered heating sources.

The present invention relates to a plant for high-efficiency production of hydrogen by pyrolysis of an input gas mixture comprising gaseous hydrocarbons, said plant comprising: a reactor (1) for heating and pyrolyzing said input gas mixture by an electric arc and consequent production of an output produced mixture enriched with hydrogen and containing a solid fraction (Carbon Black and/or carbon in various shapes); and a heat exchanger (4) for pre-heating said input gas mixture and for cooling said output produced mixture.

The invention also relates to a process for high-efficiency production of hydrogen by pyrolysis