SYSTEM OF PRODUCT GAS COLLECTION CONDUITS FOR A STEAM REFORMER

Abstract

A system of product gas collecting conduits for a steam reformer, containing a plurality of reaction tubes within a reformer housing, for the production of synthesis gas, comprising: a) a product gas collecting conduit arranged outside the reformer housing of the steam reformer, b) several port tubes arranged along the length of the conduit for connecting one reaction tube each to the product gas collecting conduit, c) at least one windshield for the protection of the product gas collecting conduit against wind and draft.

Claims

1-13 (canceled)

14. A system of product gas collecting conduits for a steam reformer, containing a plurality of reaction tubes within a reformer housing, for the production of synthesis gas, the system comprising: a) a product gas collecting conduit arranged outside the reformer housing of the steam reformer and exposed to the ambient air, containing a jacket tube and an inner tube extending concentrically along the entire length, wherein the space between inner tube and jacket tube is filled with insulating material; b) several, at least one first and one last, port tubes arranged along the length of the conduit for connecting one reaction tube each to the product gas collecting conduit; and c) a windshield, wherein the windshield is designed and arranged such that the windshield protects the product gas collecting conduit against wind and draft at least on a part of the length and the circumference of the product gas collecting conduit.

15. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein each port tube comprises a jacket tube and an inner tube extending concentrically along the entire length of each port tube, wherein the space between inner tube and jacket tube is filled with insulating material, and wherein the port tube reaches down into the bottom of the reformer housing.

16. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the inner tubes of the port and/or of the collecting conduit are designed such that they are gas-permeable, so that the respective jacket conduit is exposed to the pressure of the synthesis gas.

17. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the port tubes on the circumference of the product gas collecting conduit are arranged on a straight, axial line.

18. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the product gas collecting conduit is arranged horizontally.

19. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the inner tube of the port tube is fabricated of metal.

20. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the port tube is equipped with an external insulation against heat loss.

21. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the windshield has the shape of a half shell.

22. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the windshield is arranged between the first and the last port tube.

23. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 22, wherein the windshield is arranged centrally between the first and the last port tube.

24. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the windshield is configured to protect the collecting conduit on the side opposite the port tubes.

25. The system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14, wherein the windshield is of multipart design.

26. A steam reformer, equipped with at least one system of product gas collecting conduits according to claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention can also be taken from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawings. All features described and/or illustrated form the subject-matter of the invention per se or in any combination, independent of their inclusion in the claims or their back-reference.

[0028] The invention will now be explained below with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1: Shows a sectional drawing through a steam reformer transversely to its longitudinal axis, equipped with three systems of product gas collecting conduits according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 2: Shows a longitudinal section through a steam reformer and through a system of product gas collecting conduits of the reformer according to the invention,

[0031] FIG. 3: Shows a cross-section through a system of product gas collecting conduits according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In detail, the following is shown in the Figures of the drawing:

[0033] FIG. 1:

[0034] This cross-section of a steam reformer 1 goes through the reformer housing 2 and three reformer tubes 3 installed therein. The burners arranged between the reformer tubes in the ceiling of the reformer housing as well as all pipe conduit systems present for supplying and discharging the process and waste gases, as far as they do not concern the invention, are not shown in the drawing. Furthermore, the Figure shows three systems 4 of product gas collecting conduits according to the invention, comprising one product gas collecting conduit 5 each with its port tubes 6 and its windshield 7.

[0035] FIG. 2:

[0036] This longitudinal section of a steam reformer 1 goes through the reformer housing 2 and one of the reformer tube rows installed therein, which consists of the four reformer tubes 3. Furthermore, the Figure shows the system 4 of product gas collecting conduits associated to the reformer tube row with the product gas collecting conduit 5 shown in longitudinal section, its port tubes 6 and the windshield 7 covering the bottom half of the product gas collecting conduit 5. The product gas collecting conduit opens into a further, transversely extending collecting conduit 8 which, however, does not belong to the invention.

[0037] FIG. 3:

[0038] This Figure shows a cross-section through a system 4 of product gas collecting conduits according to the invention, comprising the product gas collecting conduit 5, its jacket tube 9, its inner tube 10, the insulating material 11 disposed between inner tube and jacket tube, a port tube 6 which reaches down into the bottom of the reformer housing 2 and is connected there to a reactor tube 3. There is furthermore shown the jacket tube 12, the inner tube 13 and the insulating material 14 disposed between inner tube and jacket tube as well as the windshield 7. The holder of the windshield is not shown. It can be attached for example to the jacket of the product gas collecting conduit or also to the reformer housing. The design and attachment of the windshield can be adapted to the local circumstances with respect to spatial conditions and wind direction. In this Figure, the windshield is formed with a semicircular cross-section and it is placed such that it exactly covers the bottom side of the collecting conduit. It is, however, also possible to place it such that it preferably protects one of the side faces of the collecting conduit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0039] The invention provides an economic and technically uncomplicated solution to achieve a more uniform jacket temperature of a product gas collecting conduit and reduce tensions in the jacket tube which are caused by a temperature difference. The invention therefore is industrially applicable.

[0040] While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

[0041] The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0042] Comprising in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of comprising). Comprising as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms consisting essentially of and consisting of unless otherwise indicated herein.

[0043] Providing in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

[0044] Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

[0045] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

[0046] All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0047] 1 steam reformer

[0048] 2 reformer housing

[0049] 3 reformer tubes

[0050] 4 system of product gas collecting conduits

[0051] 5 product gas collecting conduit

[0052] 6 port tube

[0053] 7 windshield

[0054] 8 collecting conduit

[0055] 9 jacket tube

[0056] 10 inner tube

[0057] 11 insulating material

[0058] 12 jacket tube

[0059] 13 inner tube

[0060] 14 insulating material