METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A REFORMING REACTION BY MEASUREMENT OF THE TEMPERATURE OF THE REFORMING TUBES AND FUNCTIONAL PARAMETER MODIFICATION

摘要

The method for controlling steam reforming reaction of hydrocarbons implementing a combustion chamber comprising burners and tubes (1, 1', 1''), filling the tubes with catalysts, arranging the burners for transferring the heat of the hydrocarbon and steam mixture combustion through the wall of the tubes, and measuring the wall temperature of each tube in the downstream part of the tube using a pyrometer. The measured temperature is greater than or equal to DTT-15[deg] C, where the DTT is the design temperature of the measured tube. The method for controlling steam reforming reaction of hydrocarbons implementing a combustion chamber comprising burners and tubes (1, 1', 1''), filling the tubes with catalysts, arranging the burners for transferring the heat of the hydrocarbon and steam mixture combustion through the wall of the tubes, and measuring the wall temperature of each tube in the downstream part of the tube using a pyrometer. The measured temperature is greater than or equal to DTT-15[deg] C, where the DTT is the design temperature of the measured tube. The tubes are able to be passed by the hydrocarbon and the steam mixture. The wall temperature of each tube is measured at least once a month. Operating parameters of the reforming process is modified to reduce the measured temperature of the tube to a value of less than DTT-15[deg] C. The wall temperature is deducted from the value Tm indicated by the pyrometer when the pyrometer is directed towards the tube wall and from the average temperature (Tw) of the wall of the combustion chamber near the tube, which is given in the specification. Six measurements of temperature are carried out on the wall of the combustion chamber on both sides of the tube by pointing the pyrometer on the wall situated behind the tube, in which first measurements (31, 41) take place at the top of the both sides of the tube, second measurements (32, 42) take place on top and at the vertical of the first measurements, and third measurements (33, 43) take place at the below and at the vertical of the first measurements. After measuring the temperature of each tube wall, 25% of tubes having the highest temperatures are identified, and the temperature of the tubes is measured every day. The operating parameter of the reforming reaction is the flow of hydrocarbon and steam mixture, the ratio between the quantities of hydrocarbons and steam, the flow of comburent and/or fuel in the burners, the pressure of the comburent and/or fuel burners, and the percentage of oxygen in the comburent. If the measured temperature for a tube is greater than or equal to DTT-10[deg] C and if the operating parameters of reforming process are modified, the production of synthesis gas is decreased and the temperature of the tube is controlled by reducing the fuel and/or comburent flow of the burners.