REFORMER DOUBLE BOTTOM

Abstract

A reformer for production of synthesis gas may include a reformer firing space having a reformer base, reformer walls, and a reformer roof. The reformer may include a first reformer tube and a second reformer tube, with at least sections of the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube being arranged within the reformer firing space. At least one reformer burner is disposed outside the reformer firing space. A cooling duct on or beneath the reformer base is disposed between the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube. The first reformer tube and the second reformer tube can be connected to a collecting system outside the reformer firing space, with the collecting system being disposed beneath the reformer base.

Claims

1.-21. (canceled)

22. A reformer for at least one of producing synthesis gas or hydrogen or dehydrogenating propane or butane, the reformer comprising: a reformer firing space having a reformer base, reformer walls, and a reformer roof; a first reformer tube and a second reformer tube, wherein sections of the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube are disposed within the reformer firing space; a reformer burner disposed within the reformer firing space; and a cooling duct configured to cool the reformer base to a range between 80° C. and 50° C. on or beneath the reformer base, with the cooling duct being disposed between the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube, wherein the cooling duct is connected to a combustion air conveying device configured as a fan, wherein the cooling duct is spaced apart from the reformer firing space.

23. The reformer of claim 22 wherein the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube are connected to a collecting system outside the reformer firing space, with the collecting system being disposed beneath the reformer base.

24. The reformer of claim 23 wherein the collecting system is disposed in an underbody chamber beneath the reformer firing space.

25. The reformer of claim 22 wherein the reformer base comprises metallic, mineral, or ceramic materials.

26. The reformer of claim 22 comprising a refractory insulation layer is disposed on the reformer base and the cooling duct.

27. The reformer of claim 22 wherein the cooling duct is a first cooling duct, the reformer comprising a second cooling duct disposed on at least one of the reformer roof or the reformer walls.

28. The reformer of claim 22 comprising a flue gas ventilation duct disposed between the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube.

29. The reformer of claim 28 wherein the flue gas ventilation duct is anchored in the reformer base.

30. The reformer of claim 28 wherein the flue gas ventilation duct is connected to a flue gas conveying device.

31. The reformer of claim 22 wherein the cooling duct is connected to an air intake opening outside the reformer firing space.

32. The reformer of claim 31 wherein the air intake opening is a first air intake opening, wherein at least one of the first air intake opening or a second air intake opening in or within an underbody chamber beneath the reformer firing space is connected to a first auxiliary conveying device via the cooling duct.

33. The reformer of claim 32 comprising a second auxiliary conveying device connected via the air intake opening to the cooling duct.

34. The reformer of claim 31 wherein the combustion air conveying device is connected to the reformer burner via a first heat exchanger within the flue gas ventilation duct.

35. The reformer of claim 34 comprising a second heat exchanger disposed upstream or downstream of the combustion air conveying device in a process direction.

36. The reformer of claim 22 configured to produce a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

37. A plant for preparing ammonia, ammonia and urea, hydrogen and methanol, and for dehydrogenation of propane and butane, the plant comprising the reformer of claim 22.

38. A process for producing synthesis gas, the process comprising: introducing a hydrocarbon mixture and steam at a temperature of 400° C. to 700° C. and a pressure of 10 bar to 50 bar into a reformer, wherein the reformer comprises: a reformer chamber having a reformer base, a first reformer tube and a second reformer tube, wherein sections of the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube are disposed in the reformer chamber, a reformer burner disposed within the reformer chamber, a flue gas ventilation duct between the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube, and a cooling duct configured to cool the reformer base to a range between 80° C. and 50° C. disposed on the reformer base between the first reformer tube and the second reformer tube; guiding a cooling medium through the cooling duct, with the cooling medium having an inlet temperature of −20° C. to 100° C.; and obtaining a mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

39. The process of claim 38 comprising flooding the cooling duct with external air or air from an underbody chamber.

40. The process of claim 38 comprising operating the cooling duct with a combustion air conveying device, wherein the combustion air conveying device is connected to the reformer burner for providing combustion air.

Description

[0054] The figures show:

[0055] FIG. 1 a cross section of the reformer of the invention,

[0056] FIG. 2 a cross section of a preferred embodiment of the reformer of the invention,

[0057] FIG. 3 a schematic view along the section axis A from FIG. 2 and

[0058] FIG. 4 a further schematic view along the section axis A from FIG. 2.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the reformer of the invention. The reformer firing space (1) comprises a reformer base (1a), reformer walls (1b) and a reformer roof (1c). Disposed atop the reformer base (1a) is an insulation layer (7). At least sections of a first reformer tube (2a) and a second reformer tube (2b) are disposed in the reformer firing space (1). Moreover, further reformer tubes that are not marked explicitly are disposed in the reformer firing space (1). The reformer tubes (2a/2b) are filled with a catalyst or catalyst bed, preferably nickel and/or compounds and/or mixtures thereof. Additionally present is at least one reformer burner (3) disposed within the reformer firing space. In general, multiple reformer burners (3) are disposed in the reformer firing space (1). The reformer burner (3) is supplied with combustion gas (3a) and combustion air (3b). The combustion gas (3a) and the combustion air (3b) may be provided via different conduits or one conduit (not shown). The expression “within” in the context of the invention describes/encompasses reformer burners that can act into the reformer firing space. The reformer of the invention comprises a cooling duct (4) on the reformer base (1a) between the first reformer tube (2a) and the second reformer tube (2b). The passage of a cooling medium, for example air, enables a distinct reduction in the temperature of the reformer base (1a) and hence an expected distinct increase in the lifetime of the reformer base (1a).

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a preferred embodiment of the reformer of the invention. The basic construction corresponds to that described for FIG. 1. A flue gas ventilation duct (6) is disposed between the first reformer tube (2a) and the second reformer tube (2b). The first reformer tube (2a) and the second reformer tube (2b) merge into a collecting system (5). The flue gas ventilation duct (6) is preferably designed in the form of a brickbuilt duct, with the flue gas ventilation duct (6) having flue gas inlet openings (14) for admittance of the flue gas from the reformer firing space. The flue gas ventilation duct (6) is preferably disposed above the cooling duct (4), especially preferably atop the refractory insulation layer (7) above the cooling duct (4).

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view along the section axis A from FIG. 2. The basic construction of the reformer firing space (1) corresponds to that described in FIG. 2. The waste air from the flue gas ventilation duct (6) serves to heat heat exchangers (10/10a/10b/10c) and to preheat the air for the reformer burners (3) that are connected via a collecting system (15). A conveying system (9) enables the removal of the flue gases from the flue gas ventilation duct (6). In the design shown, air is introduced through the cooling duct (4) via the intake openings (8) and (8a). The combustion air conveying device (16) creates the reduced pressure required in the cooling duct for intake of the air. Warm air is sucked in from the underbody chamber (11) by the second air intake opening (8a). It is thus possible to effectively lower the temperature within the underbody chamber (11) and to reduce the thermal stress on the reformer base (1a). The flow of the cooling medium can be controlled further via control valves (17).

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic view along the section axis A from FIG. 2. The fundamental construction corresponds to that described for FIG. 3. For improvement of energy exploitation, further heat exchangers (10a) are provided. The heating of the combustion air in the cooling ducts (4) allows the heat exchangers to have a small design or to be dispensed with completely. An additional first auxiliary conveying device (12) and second auxiliary conveying device (13) can be used to further improve the flows of the cooling medium in the cooling duct (4).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0063] (1) reformer firing space [0064] (1a) reformer base [0065] (1b) reformer walls [0066] (1c) reformer roof [0067] (2a) first reformer tube [0068] (2b) second reformer tube [0069] (3) reformer burner [0070] (4) cooling duct [0071] (5) collecting system [0072] (6) flue gas ventilation duct [0073] (7) refractory insulation layer [0074] (8) air intake opening [0075] (8a) second air intake opening [0076] (9) flue gas conveying device [0077] (10) first heat exchanger [0078] (10a) second heat exchanger [0079] (10b) third heat exchanger [0080] (10c) fourth heat exchanger [0081] (11) underbody chamber [0082] (12) first auxiliary conveying device [0083] (13) second auxiliary conveying device [0084] (14) flue gas inlet openings [0085] (15) burner collecting system [0086] (16) combustion air conveying device [0087] (17) control valves