Reactor comprising a ceramic membrane for carrying out endothermic reactions and process for providing heat to endotermic reactions

摘要

Syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is an intermediate in the conversion of methane to liquid fuels. For certain applications, it is desirable to maintain an H₂/CO molar ratio of about 3. This molar ratio is achieved by steam reforming of methane in accordance with: $\mathop{\mathrm{image}} \[ {\text{CH}}_{\text{4}}{\text{+ H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O → 3H}}_{\text{2}}\text{+ CO.} \]$;To provide the heat required to drive the endothermic steam reforming reaction, a low grade fuel is combusted in a reactor and the heat of combustion conducted to the endothermic reaction. By using an oxygen selective ion transport membrane element to transport the oxygen required for combustion, the formation of undesirable NOx compounds is minimized.