AUTOTHERMIC REACTOR COMPRISING OXYGEN ION CONDUCTING DENSE CERAMIC MEMBRANE AND PROCESS USING THE AUTOTHERMIC REACTOR FOR PRODUCING SYNTHESIS GAS

摘要

The present invention relates to devices (11) for simultaneously conducting exothermic (31) and endothermic (41) chemical conversions with transfer of heat therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to autothermic modules (11) using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes (35) to selectively separate oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and supply is directly to partial combustion (31) of gaseous organic compounds. Processes using autothermic modules in accordance with this invention are advantageously used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is substantially free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen. In particular, they are used for conversions, within the integral autothermic module, of natural gas or other forms of gaseous lower alkanes to synthesis gas by means of partial combustion followed by steam and/or carbon dioxide reforming.