Development and Production of an Innovative Steam Reformer

摘要

HALDOR TOPSOE has developed a heat exchange reformer that ensures optimum utilization of the heating surface and a compact design. This is obtained by means of a double tube concept where a catalyst is placed both inside and outside the tubes. The new and innovative type of reactor required special fabrication knowledge with sophisticated materials. High temperature oxidation resistant alloys with a good resistance against metal dusting have been chosen for the heart of the heat exchanger. It consists of a double tube assembly made of seamless Alloy 693 tubes and welded alloy 602 CA tubes. The challenge during tube manufacturing was to work with the different tolerances of the seamless Alloy 693 tubes and the welded Alloy 602 CA tubes. In order to obtain the optimum heat exchange conditions, the ratio between the pipe surface and the catalyst quantity was optimized by using double tubes with dimples on the internal tube produced in a hydro forming process.