Abstract:
A non-adiabatic catalytic reactor for reacting a fluid includes a tube comprising an inlet, an outlet, a first wall, a diameter, a length, and a tube axis. The reactor also includes a plurality of structured packings disposed within the tube, and a plurality of mixing regions disposed within the tube. The structured packings and the mixed regions are arranged in an alternating pattern. Each structured packing includes one or more second walls defining channels for fluid flow through the structured packing, the channels being substantially parallel to the tube axis, the one or more second walls of the structured packing including a catalyst. At least one of the mixing regions permits mixing of first fluid proximate the first wall with second fluid farther from the first wall than the first fluid.
Abstract:
Steam reforming, water separation, and hydrogen separation by membrane can be performed sequentially on a mixture of steam and a hydrocarbon. A hydrogen-rich permeate stream from the hydrogen membrane can be used as fuel for combustion heating, leaving a retentate mixture of a prescribed ratio of hydrogen to oxides of carbon. The retentate can be compressed and synthesized to methanol in a methanol synthesis reactor. The synthesized methanol can be separated into a methanol-rich stream and a tail gas stream containing the remaining outlet gas from the synthesis reactor. The methanol-rich stream can be refined. The tail gas stream can be divided into a methanol loop recycle stream, an SMR recycle stream, and a nitrogen purge stream. The methanol loop recycle stream is compressed and recycled to the methanol synthesis reactor. The SMR recycle stream is recycled as feedstock to the reformer. The nitrogen purge stream is combusted in a burner. Carbon dioxide may be separated from combustion products and sequestered.
Abstract:
A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.
Abstract:
Syngas is produced by a steam reforming unit with at least one of a bayonet reactor for reforming steam and a hydrocarbon, a recuperative burner, and a regenerative burner such that the steam reforming unit produces little or no steam in excess of the steam reforming process requirements. The syngas is then converted to methanol in a methanol synthesis unit. Compressors for the synthesis unit are driven by higher efficiency drivers than are possible using the low temperature steam conventionally exported from a steam reforming unit.
Abstract:
A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a furnace having at least one bayonet reforming tube. The furnace is adapted to receive a gas including a hydrocarbon and at least one of steam and carbon dioxide via the bayonet reforming tube, heat and catalytically react the gas to form syngas at a first temperature, cool the syngas to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and eject the syngas from the tube. The furnace has a first effluent stream including flue gas and a second effluent stream including syngas. The apparatus also includes a first heat recovery section adapted to transfer heat from the first effluent stream to a first heat load including one of air, water, and steam, and a second heat recovery section adapted to transfer heat from the second effluent stream to a second heat load.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes an inlet, an outlet, and a sheet disposed proximate a heat transfer surface, wherein the sheet is oriented in a sheet plane that is displaced from a plane of the heat transfer surface by an angle of at least 10 degrees. The apparatus also includes a plurality of tabs attached to the sheet, the tabs lying in respective tab planes, wherein the tab planes and the sheet plane intersect forming respective intersections. The intersections of the tab planes and the sheet plane are substantially parallel. The intersections of the tab planes and the sheet plane are at an angle of less than 88° to the heat transfer surface, and the plurality of tabs collectively form channels directing a fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet to impinge the heat transfer surface.
Abstract:
A heat exchanger includes a packing comprising at least one external oblique fin having a surface, and a plurality of tubes, each tube having an inlet, an outlet, a wall, an outer surface, and an axis. The plurality of tubes are substantially parallel and separate from each other. The packing may include a plurality of fins arranged in a plurality of columns. Each column includes a plurality of external oblique fins associated with a respective tube disposed along at least part of a length of the respective tube, and first fins in a first column have substantially the same first orientation. The first orientation of the first fins in the first column is different from a second orientation of second fins in a second column.