Process for providing heat to an endotherm within a reaction passage, and, reactor

摘要

"PROCESS TO PROVIDE HEAT TO AN ENDOTHERMAL REACTION WITHIN A REACTION PASS, AND, REACTOR". Synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is an intermediate in the conversion of methane into liquid fuels. In certain applications, it is desirable to maintain a molar ratio of H ~ 2 ~ / CO at about 3. This molar ratio is achieved by steam reforming methane according to: CH ~ 4 ~ + H ~ 2 ~ O- 3 H ~ 2 ~ + CO. To provide the heat required to perform the steam reforming endothermic reaction, a low grade fuel is burned in a reactor and the combustion heat is transferred to the endothermic reaction. Through the use of an oxygen-selective ion transport membrane element to transport oxygen required for combustion, the formation of undesirable NO ~ x ~ compounds is minimized.