Claims
- 1. An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process, comprising:
at least one combustion chamber having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; at least one convection chamber having a first end and a second end opposite said first end of said at least one convection chamber; at least one burner disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, said burner adapted to combust a fuel, thereby generating a flue gas having sensible heat; communication means between said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows from said at least one combustion chamber to said at least one convection chamber at a first location adjacent said first end of said at least one convection chamber; transfer means whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows to a second location in said at least one convection chamber adjacent said second end of said at least one convection chamber; a first reaction chamber adapted to receive a first portion of a mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said first reaction chamber disposed in said at least one combustion chamber; and a second reaction chamber adapted to receive a second portion of said mixed-feed or another mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said second reaction chamber disposed in said at least one convection chamber.
- 2. An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process, comprising:
a vessel having at least one partition wall disposed in said vessel, said at least one partition wall dividing said vessel into a plurality of chambers, including at least one combustion chamber and at least one convection chamber, each of said chambers having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; at least one burner disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, said burner adapted to combust a fuel, thereby generating a flue gas having sensible heat; communication means between said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows from said at least one combustion chamber to said at least one convection chamber at a first location adjacent said first end of said at least one convection chamber; transfer means whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows to a second location in said at least one convection chamber adjacent said second end of said at least one convection chamber; a first reaction chamber adapted to receive a first portion of a mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said first reaction chamber disposed in said at least one combustion chamber; and a second reaction chamber adapted to receive a second portion of said mixed-feed or another mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said second reaction chamber disposed in said at least one convection chamber.
- 3. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising:
communication means between said first reaction chamber and said second reaction chamber, whereby a fluid flows from or to said first reaction chamber to or from said second reaction chamber, wherein substantially all of said communication means is located outside of both of said combustion chamber and said convection chamber.
- 4. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the substantial portion of said first reaction chamber is substantially vertical within said at least one combustion chamber.
- 5. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the substantial portion of said second reaction chamber is substantially vertical within said at least one convection chamber.
- 6. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said second reaction chamber is a tube-in-tube.
- 7. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said first reaction chamber is a tube-in-tube.
- 8. An assembly of multiple units for the hydrocarbon reforming process, each unit comprising the apparatus as in claim 2.
- 9. An assembly as in claim 8 further comprising at least one duct connecting a first convection chamber and a second convection chamber of said at least one convection chamber in at least one unit.
- 10. An assembly as in claim 9 further comprising at least one convection pass in communication with said at least one duct.
- 11. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising at least one flow of at least one of said mixed-feed and said another mixed-feed, wherein said first portion of said mixed-feed flows through said first reaction chamber co-currently with a flow of said at least one flue gas in said combustion chamber, and said second portion of said mixed-feed or said another mixed-feed flows through said second reaction chamber counter-currently with said flow of said flue gas in said at least one convection chamber.
- 12. An apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising at least one flow of at least one of said mixed-feed and said another mixed-feed, wherein said first portion of said mixed-feed flows through said first reaction chamber co-currently with a flow of said flue gas in said at least one combustion chamber, and said second portion of said mixed-feed or said another mixed-feed flows through said second reaction chamber counter-currently with said flow of said flue gas in said at least one convection chamber.
- 13. An apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising at least one flow of at least one of said mixed-feed and said another mixed-feed, wherein said first portion of said mixed-feed flows through said first reaction chamber co-currently with a flow of said flue gas in said at least one combustion chamber, and said second portion of said mixed-feed or said another mixed-feed flows through said second reaction chamber counter-currently with said flow of said flue gas in said at least one convection chamber.
- 14. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said first portion of said mixed-feed flows in an annular portion of said tube-in-tube, and a product synthesis gas flows in an inner tubular portion of said tube-in-tube counter-currently with said first portion of said mixed-feed.
- 15. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said first portion of said mixed-feed flows in an annular portion of said tube-in-tube, and a product synthesis gas flows in an inner tubular portion of said tube-in-tube counter-currently with said first portion of said mixed-feed.
- 16. An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process, comprising:
a vessel having at least one partition wall disposed in said vessel, said at least one partition wall dividing said vessel into a plurality of chambers, including at least one combustion chamber and at least one convection chamber, each of said chambers having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; at least one burner disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, said burner adapted to combust a fuel, thereby generating a flue gas having sensible heat; communication means between said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows from said at least one combustion chamber to said at least one convection chamber at a first location adjacent said first end of said at least one convection chamber; transfer means whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows to a second location in said at least one convection chamber adjacent said second end of said at least one convection chamber; a first reformer tube adapted to receive a first portion of a mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said first reformer tube disposed in said at least one combustion chamber; and a second reformer tube adapted to receive a second portion of said mixed-feed or another mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said second reformer tube disposed in said at least one convection chamber.
- 17. An apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising:
communication means between said first reformer tube and said second reformer tube, whereby a fluid flows from or to said first reformer tube to or from said second reformer tube, wherein substantially all of said communication means is located outside of both of said combustion chamber and said convection chamber.
- 18. An assembly of multiple units for the hydrocarbon reforming process, each unit comprising the apparatus as in claim 16.
- 19. An assembly as in claim 18 further comprising at least one duct, wherein the at least one convection chamber comprises a first convection chamber and a second convection chamber in at least one unit of said assembly of multiple units, and the at least one duct connects the first convection chamber with the second convection chamber.
- 20. An assembly as in claim 19 further comprising at least one convection pass in communication with said at least one duct.
- 21. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:
communication means between said first reaction chamber and said second reaction chamber, whereby a fluid flows from or to said first reaction chamber to or from said second reaction chamber, wherein substantially all of said communication means is located outside of both of said combustion chamber and said convection chamber.
- 22. An assembly of multiple units for the hydrocarbon reforming process, each unit comprising the apparatus as in claim 1.
- 23. An assembly as in claim 22 further comprising at least one duct, wherein the at least one convection chamber comprises a first convection chamber and a second convection chamber in at least one unit of said assembly of multiple units, and the at least one duct connects the first convection chamber with the second convection chamber.
- 24. An assembly as in claim 23 further comprising at least one convection pass in communication with said at least one duct.
- 25. A method for producing a product from a steam reforming process, comprising the steps of:
providing at least one combustion chamber, at least one convection chamber, and a communication means between said combustion chamber and said convection chamber, each of said chambers having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, and said communication means being adapted to transmit a flow of flue gas from said combustion chamber to said convection chamber; combusting a fuel in said combustion chamber, thereby generating a combustion heat and a flue gas having a sensible heat; transferring at least a portion of said flue gas from said combustion chamber to said convection chamber, wherein at least a portion of said transferred flue gas flows from a first location adjacent said first end of said convection chamber to a second location adjacent said second end of said convection chamber; feeding a first portion of a mixed-feed to a first reaction chamber, a substantial portion of said first reaction chamber being disposed in said combustion chamber, wherein said first portion of said mixed-feed absorbs at least a portion of said combustion heat; and feeding a second portion of said mixed-feed to a second reaction chamber, a substantial portion of said second reaction chamber being disposed in said convection chamber, wherein said second portion of said mixed-feed absorbs at least a portion of said sensible heat of said flue gas flowing from said first location to said second location in said convection chamber.
- 26. A method as in claim 25, comprising the further step of withdrawing a stream of the product from said second reaction chamber.
- 27. A method as in claim 26, wherein said stream of said product flows counter-currently with said second portion of said mixed-feed.
- 28. A method as in claim 25, comprising the further step of providing communication means between said first reaction chamber and said second reaction chamber, whereby a stream of the product flows from or to said first reaction chamber to or from said second reaction chamber.
- 29. A method as in claim 25, comprising the further step of withdrawing a stream of the product from said first reaction chamber.
- 30. A method as in claim 29, wherein said stream of said product flows counter-currently with said first portion of said mixed-feed.
- 31. A method as in claim 25, wherein said first portion of said mixed-feed flows co-currently with a flow of flue gas in said combustion chamber.
- 32. A method as in claim 25, wherein said second portion of said mixed-feed flows counter-currently with said flue gas flowing from said first location to said second location in said convection chamber.
- 33. An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process, comprising:
at least one combustion chamber having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; at least one convection chamber having a first end and a second end opposite said first end of said at least one convection chamber; at least one burner disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, said burner adapted to combust a fuel, thereby generating a flue gas having sensible heat; communication means between said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows from said at least one combustion chamber to said at least one convection chamber at a first location adjacent said first end of said at least one convection chamber; transfer means whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows to a second location in said at least one convection chamber adjacent said second end of said at least one convection chamber; at least one source of at least one mixed feed; a first reaction chamber adapted to receive a first portion of said at least one mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said first reaction chamber disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, wherein no portion of said first reaction chamber is disposed in said at least one convection chamber; and a second reaction chamber adapted to receive a second portion of said at least one mixed-feed or another mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said second reaction chamber disposed in said at least one convection chamber, wherein no portion of said second reaction chamber is disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, and wherein said first reaction chamber and said second reaction chamber are discontinuous from each other in said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber.
- 34. An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process, comprising:
a vessel having at least one partition wall disposed in said vessel, said at least one partition wall dividing said vessel into a plurality of chambers, including at least one combustion chamber and at least one convection chamber, each of said chambers having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; at least one burner disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, said burner adapted to combust a fuel, thereby generating a flue gas having sensible heat; communication means between said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows from said at least one combustion chamber to said at least one convection chamber at a first location adjacent said first end of said at least one convection chamber; transfer means whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows to a second location in said at least one convection chamber adjacent said second end of said at least one convection chamber; at least one source of at least one mixed feed; a first reaction chamber adapted to receive a first portion of said at least one mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said first reaction chamber disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, wherein no portion of said first reaction chamber is disposed in said at least one convection chamber; and a second reaction chamber adapted to receive a second portion of said at least one mixed-feed or another mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said second reaction chamber disposed in said at least one convection chamber, wherein no portion of said second reaction chamber is disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, and wherein said first reaction chamber and said second reaction chamber are discontinuous from each other in said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber.
- 35. An apparatus for a hydrocarbon reforming process, comprising:
a vessel having at least one partition wall disposed in said vessel, said at least one partition wall dividing said vessel into a plurality of chambers, including at least one combustion chamber and at least one convection chamber, each of said chambers having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; at least one burner disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, said burner adapted to combust a fuel, thereby generating a flue gas having sensible heat; communication means between said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows from said at least one combustion chamber to said at least one convection chamber at a first location adjacent said first end of said at least one convection chamber; transfer means whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows to a second location in said at least one convection chamber adjacent said second end of said at least one convection chamber; at least one source of at least one mixed feed; a first reformer tube adapted to receive a first portion of said at least one mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said first reformer tube disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, wherein no portion of said first reformer tube is disposed in said at least one convection chamber; and a second reformer tube adapted to receive a second portion of said at least one mixed-feed or another mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said second reformer tube disposed in said at least one convection chamber, wherein no portion of said second reformer tube is disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, and wherein said first reformer tube and said second reformer tube are discontinuous from each other in said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber.
- 36. An apparatus for the production of a product synthesis gas, comprising:
a vessel having at least one partition wall disposed in said vessel, said at least one partition wall dividing said vessel into a plurality of chambers, including at least one combustion chamber and at least one convection chamber, each of said chambers having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; at least one burner disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, said at least one burner adapted to combust a fuel, thereby generating a flue gas having sensible heat; communication means between said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows from said at least one combustion chamber to said at least one convection chamber at a first location adjacent said first end of said at least one convection chamber; transfer means whereby at least a portion of said flue gas flows to a second location in said at least one convection chamber adjacent said second end of said at least one convection chamber; at least one source of at least one mixed feed; a first reformer tube adapted to receive a first portion of said at least one mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said first reformer tube disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, wherein the substantial portion of said first reformer tube is substantially vertical within said at least one combustion chamber and no portion of said first reformer tube is disposed in said at least one convection chamber; a second reformer tube having an annular portion and an inner tubular portion, said second reformer tube adapted to receive a second portion of said mixed-feed or another mixed-feed, a substantial portion of said second reformer tube disposed in said at least one convection chamber, wherein the substantial portion of said second reformer tube is substantially vertical within said at least one convection chamber and no portion of said second reformer tube is disposed in said at least one combustion chamber, and wherein said first reformer tube and said second reformer tube are discontinuous from each other in said at least one combustion chamber and said at least one convection chamber; at least one flow of at least one of said mixed-feed and said another mixed-feed, wherein a flow of said first portion of said mixed-feed flows through said first reformer tube either co-currently or counter-currently with a flow of said flue gas in said at least one combustion chamber, and a flow of said second portion of said mixed-feed or said another mixed-feed flows through the annular portion of said second reformer tube counter-currently with said flow of said flue gas in said at least one convection chamber; at least one flow of the product synthesis gas, wherein at least a portion of the product synthesis gas flows through the inner tubular portion of the second reformer tube counter-currently with said flow of said second portion of said mixed-feed or said another mixed feed; and communication means between said first reformer tube and said second reformer tube, whereby a fluid flows from or to said first reformer tube to or from said second reformer tube, wherein said fluid flowing from said first reformer tube to said second reformer tube, or from said second reformer tube to said first reformer tube, serves as another feed to said second reformer tube receiving said fluid or to said first reformer tube receiving said fluid.
- 37. An apparatus as in claim 36, wherein substantially all of said communication means is located outside of both of said combustion chamber and said convection chamber.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/666,420, filed Sep. 20, 2000, now abandoned, the specification and claims which are incorporated by reference and made a part of this application.
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09666420 |
Sep 2000 |
US |
Child |
10746577 |
Dec 2003 |
US |