Reformer tube with internal heat exchange

摘要

A reformer tube for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming of hydrocarbon-containing feed gases, preferably natural gas, includes one or more helically coiled heat exchanger tubes which are arranged within a catalyst bed of a reforming catalyst and are helically coiled over part of their length located within the catalyst bed and are otherwise straight are present, where the straight proportion of the heat exchanger tubes and/or the helix pitch of the helically coiled part alters within the catalyst bed and matching to requirements of the pressure drop, the heat exchange properties, and the corrosion resistance.

主权项

1. A reformer tube for converting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock into a synthesis gas product comprising a carbon oxide and hydrogen under steam reforming conditions, the reformer tube comprising:
(a) an outer tube comprising an open tube end, a closed tube end, and a bed of a solid catalyst active suitable for steam reforming, wherein the outer tube is configured to be heated from outside; (b) a feed gas stream inlet, configured to feed in the feedstock, wherein the feed gas stream inlet is arranged at the open tube end and is in fluid connection with the catalyst bed; (c) a helically-coiled heat exchanger tube arranged within the catalyst bed, wherein a helically-coiled heat exchanger tube inlet end is in fluid connection with the catalyst bed and a helically-coiled heat exchanger tube outlet end is in fluid connection with a synthesis gas product stream outlet, and wherein the helically-coiled heat exchanger tube is in heat exchanging relationship with the catalyst bed and the feed gas stream flowing through the catalyst bed; and (d) a synthesis gas product stream outlet arranged at the open tube end and in fluid connection with the outlet end of the helically-coiled heat exchanger tube, but not in fluid connection with the inlet for the feed gas stream, wherein the feed gas stream initially flows through the catalyst bed and subsequently in counterflow through the heat exchanger tube, wherein (i) the helically-coiled heat exchanger tube is coiled along not more than 90% of its length located within the catalyst bed and otherwise extends straight, or (ii) a coil pitch of the helically-coiled heat exchanger tube changes within the catalyst bed, or (iii) both.