The invention relates to a a method for producing a synthesis gas for use in the production of a hydrocarbon product, particularly a synthetic fuel, said method comprising the steps of: providing a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising biogas; optionally, purifying the hydrocarbon feed stream in a gas purification unit; optionally, prereforming the hydrocarbon feed stream together with a steam feedstock in a prereforming unit; carrying out steam methane reforming in a reforming reactor heated by means of an electrical power source; providing the synthesis gas to a synthetic fuel synthesis unit, preferably a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit, for converting said synthesis gas into hydrocarbon product and producing a tail gas. The invention also relates to a system for producing a synthesis gas for use in the production of a hydrocarbon product, particularly a synthetic fuel.

The invention relates to a a method for producing a synthesis gas for use in the production of a hydrocarbon product, particularly a synthetic fuel, said method comprising the steps of: providing a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising biogas; optionally, purifying the hydrocarbon feed stream in a gas purification unit; optionally, prereforming the hydrocarbon feed stream together with a steam feedstock in a prereforming unit; carrying out steam methane reforming in a reforming reactor heated by means of an electrical power source; providing the synthesis gas to a synthetic fuel synthesis unit, preferably a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit, for converting said synthesis gas into hydrocarbon product and producing a tail gas. The invention also relates to a system for producing a synthesis gas for use in the production of a hydrocarbon product, particularly a synthetic fuel.

A method can be employed to regulate and stably operate a steam reforming system that is operated by steam reforming, that has a capacity utilization level that can be regulated, and that comprises a steam reformer, a hydrogenating and desulfurizing unit that is positioned upstream of the steam reformer and is configured for feedstock desulfurization, and a firing unit of the steam reformer. According to the method, a mandated capacity utilization level for the steam reforming system is established with automated regulation of the following continuously monitored parameter ratios: a hydrogen-to-feedstock ratio in the hydrogenating and desulfurizing unit, a steam-to-carbon ratio in the steam reformer, and a fuel-to-air ratio in the firing unit of the steam reformer.

A method for decreasing the SFFC of a steam reforming plant, including establishing a base operating mode. Then modifying the base operating mode by introducing the shift gas stream into a solvent based, non-cryogenic separator prior to introduction into the pressure swing adsorption and introducing the compressed hydrogen depleted off-gas stream in a membrane separation unit, wherein the membrane is configured to produce the hydrogen enriched permeate stream at a suitable pressure to allow the hydrogen enriched permeate stream to be combined with carbon dioxide lean shift gas stream, prior to introduction into the pressure swing adsorption unit without requiring additional compression. Thereby establishing a modified operating mode. Wherein said pressure swing adsorption unit has a modified overall hydrogen recovery. Wherein said modified operating mode has a modified hydrogen production, a modified hydrogen production unit firing duty, a modified SCO2e, and a modified SFFC.

A method for decreasing the SFFC of a steam reforming plant, including establishing a base operating mode. Then modifying the base operating mode by introducing the shift gas stream into a solvent based, non-cryogenic separator prior to introduction into the pressure swing adsorption and introducing the compressed hydrogen depleted off-gas stream in a membrane separation unit, wherein the membrane is configured to produce the hydrogen enriched permeate stream at a suitable pressure to allow the hydrogen enriched permeate stream to be combined with carbon dioxide lean shift gas stream, prior to introduction into the pressure swing adsorption unit without requiring additional compression. Thereby establishing a modified operating mode. Wherein said pressure swing adsorption unit has a modified overall hydrogen recovery. Wherein said modified operating mode has a modified hydrogen production, a modified hydrogen production unit firing duty, a modified SCO2e, and a modified SFFC.

The invention relates to a method of regenerating the catalytic activity of a spent catalyst comprising nickel on a refractory oxide support, said method comprising the steps of contacting the spent catalyst with a nitric acid solution, heat-treating the spent catalyst, calcining and reducing the catalyst.

The present invention relates to a process for conducting endothermic gas phase or gas-solid reactions, wherein the endothermic reaction is conducted in a production phase in a first reactor zone, the production zone, which is at least partly filled with solid particles, where the solid particles are in the form of a fixed bed, of a moving bed and in sections/or in the form of a fluidized bed, and the product-containing gas stream is drawn off from the production zone in the region of the highest temperature level plus/minus 200 K and the product-containing gas stream is guided through a second reactor zone, the heat recycling zone, which at least partly comprises a fixed bed, where the heat from the product-containing gas stream is stored in the fixed bed, and, in the subsequent purge step, a purge gas is guided through the production zone and the heat recycling zone in the same flow direction, and, in a heating zone disposed between the production zone and the heat recycling zone, the heat required for the endothermic reaction is introduced into the product-containing gas stream and into the purge stream or into the purge stream, and then, in a regeneration phase, a gas is passed through the two reactor zones in the reverse flow direction and the production zone is heated up; the present invention further relates to a structured reactor comprising three zones, a production zone containing solid particles, a heating zone and a heat recycling zone containing a fixed bed, wherein the solid particles and the fixed bed consist of different materials.

The present invention relates to a process for conducting endothermic gas phase or gas-solid reactions, wherein the endothermic reaction is conducted in a production phase in a first reactor zone, the production zone, which is at least partly filled with solid particles, where the solid particles are in the form of a fixed bed, of a moving bed and in sections/or in the form of a fluidized bed, and the product-containing gas stream is drawn off from the production zone in the region of the highest temperature level plus/minus 200 K and the product-containing gas stream is guided through a second reactor zone, the heat recycling zone, which at least partly comprises a fixed bed, where the heat from the product-containing gas stream is stored in the fixed bed, and, in the subsequent purge step, a purge gas is guided through the production zone and the heat recycling zone in the same flow direction, and, in a heating zone disposed between the production zone and the heat recycling zone, the heat required for the endothermic reaction is introduced into the product-containing gas stream and into the purge stream or into the purge stream, and then, in a regeneration phase, a gas is passed through the two reactor zones in the reverse flow direction and the production zone is heated up; the present invention further relates to a structured reactor comprising three zones, a production zone containing solid particles, a heating zone and a heat recycling zone containing a fixed bed, wherein the solid particles and the fixed bed consist of different materials.

The invention provides a thermal cracking system which comprises a reactor, and a feed module or a solid product discharge module. The feed module transports a feed material from the outside environment to the reactor. While being transported, the feed material is heated by the feed module to become molten and fills up the interior of the feed module, thereby preventing air from entering the reactor. The solid product discharge module transports a solid product from the reactor to the outside environment. One end of the solid product discharge module is connected with the reactor. The other end of the solid product discharge module comprises a first opening interfacing with the outside environment. When the solid product is transported to the outside environment, the opening size of the first opening is selected such that the speed at which the solid product is entering the solid product discharge module form the reactor is equal to or greater than that at which the solid product is leaving the solid product discharge module, through the first opening, and into the outside environment. Benefit of the invention includes a higher production efficiency and enhanced safety for a thermal cracking system at industrial scale.

The invention provides a thermal cracking system which comprises a reactor, and a feed module or a solid product discharge module. The feed module transports a feed material from the outside environment to the reactor. While being transported, the feed material is heated by the feed module to become molten and fills up the interior of the feed module, thereby preventing air from entering the reactor. The solid product discharge module transports a solid product from the reactor to the outside environment. One end of the solid product discharge module is connected with the reactor. The other end of the solid product discharge module comprises a first opening interfacing with the outside environment. When the solid product is transported to the outside environment, the opening size of the first opening is selected such that the speed at which the solid product is entering the solid product discharge module form the reactor is equal to or greater than that at which the solid product is leaving the solid product discharge module, through the first opening, and into the outside environment. Benefit of the invention includes a higher production efficiency and enhanced safety for a thermal cracking system at industrial scale.