Catalytic reactor for endothermic reaction processes, particularly for light hydrocarbon steam reforming

摘要

The catalytic reactor, particularly for steam reforming reactions, is a succession of reaction chambers suitable to carry out the series reactions forecasted in the hydrogen production process by means of the light hydrocarbons steam reforming (like: natural gas, LPG, etc.). Particularly, the reaction chambers of the reactor allows the exploitation of more than the 75% of the whole volume, making it available to be filled with suitable catalysts to perform the following reactions: hydrocarbons de-sulphurisation, pre-reforming, reforming, high shift temperature, low shift temperature and possible methanation.;The catalytic reactor results as constituted from: a first inner chamber filled with the hydrocarbons de-sulphurisation catalyst; a second chamber external to the first chamber and connected with her, filled with the pre-reforming catalyst; a third chamber inner and integrated to the second chamber and connected with her, filled with the reforming catalyst; a fourth chamber external to the third and connected with her, in succession filled with: the high temperature shift catalyst, the low temperature shift catalyst and, if necessary, the methanation catalyst. The fourth chamber have two ring shaped cavities: first one on top connected to the third chamber that is connected with the reactant water to control the temperature of the gases coming from the third chamber, as well; the second one at the bottom for the collection and the exit of the reaction products. The inlet of the reactants is in the first chamber. The third chamber besides operate in connection with one or more burners, each-one equipped with a couple of nozzles. The wrap of the catalytic reactor, fifth chamber, has the opening for the combustion exhausts gases exit.