METHANE PYROLYSIS USING STACKED FLUIDIZED BEDS WITH ELECTRIC HEATING OF COKE

    公开(公告)号:US20230391617A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-12-07

    申请号:US18248888

    申请日:2020-10-16

    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of methane and/or other hydrocarbons to hydrogen by pyrolysis while reducing or minimizing production of carbon oxides. The heating of the pyrolysis environment can be performed at least in part by using electrical heating within a first stage to heat the coke particles to a desired pyrolysis temperature. This electrical heating can be performed in a hydrogen-rich environment in order to reduce, minimize, or eliminate formation of coke on the surfaces of the electrical heater. The heated coke particles can then be transferred to a second stage for contact with a methane-containing feed, such as a natural gas feed. Depending on the configuration, pyrolysis of methane can potentially occur in both the first stage and second stage. In some aspects, the hydrogen-rich environment in the first stage is formed by passing the partially converted effluent from the second stage into the first stage. In such aspects, the partially converted effluent from the second stage can have an H2 content of 60 vol % or more, or 70 vol % or more, or 80 vol % or more, such as up to 99 vol % or possibly still higher.

    DETECTION OF HYDROCARBON PRESENCE IN SUBSURFACE FROM SEISMIC IMAGES USING RELATIONAL LEARNING

    公开(公告)号:US20230375735A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-11-23

    申请号:US18027266

    申请日:2021-09-13

    CPC classification number: G01V1/301 G01V1/282

    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting geological elements or fluid in a subsurface from seismic images is disclosed. Seismic data may be analyzed to identify one or both of fluid or geologic elements in the subsurface. As one example, the analysis may include unsupervised learning, such as variational machine learning, in order to learn relationships between different sets of seismic data. For example, variational machine learning may be used to learn relationships among partially-stack images or among pre-stack images in order to detect hydrocarbon presence. In this way, an unsupervised learning framework may be used for learning a Direct Hydrocarbon Indicator (DHI) from seismic images by learning relationships among partially-stack or pre-stack images.

    Heat source for pyrolysis process
    320.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11773335B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-10-03

    申请号:US17643044

    申请日:2021-12-07

    CPC classification number: C10G11/182 C10G11/12 C10G2300/703

    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a reverse flow reactor (or another reactor with flows in opposing directions at different parts of a process cycle) for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons. The systems and methods can include a reactor that includes a combustion catalyst to initiate and/or maintain combustion within the reactor in a controlled manner during the heating and/or regeneration portion(s) of the reaction cycle. A fuel can also be used that has a greater resistance to auto-combustion, such as a fuel that is composed primarily of methane and/or other hydrocarbons. During operation, the temperature in at least an initial portion of the reactor can be maintained at a temperature so that auto-ignition of the auto-combustion resistant fuel injected during the heating step(s) is reduced or minimized. This can allow combustion to be initiated when the auto-combustion resistant fuel comes into contact with the catalyst. Additionally, the amount and positioning of the catalyst within the reactor can be controlled so that combustion of the fuel takes place over a substantially longer period of time than combustion during a conventional reactor heating step. Because the fuel is moving within the reactor during combustion, extending the combustion time results in a substantial expansion of the volume where combustion occurs. Optionally in combination with an improved reaction cycle, this can expand the portion of the reactor that is directly heated by combustion, allowing for an improved temperature distribution within the reactor during the pyrolysis step.

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