Two-stage water gas shift conversion method

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in a gaseous reactant stream comprising carbon monoxide and water vapor. The catalyst bed of a water gas shift reactor is preferably divided into two sections. Alternatively, an assembly which includes two sequential reactors can be employed. The first section or reactor operates in an adiabatic fashion whereas the second section or reactor is cooled, thereby facilitating the further conversion of carbon monoxide in the second section or reactor. The gaseous reactant stream exiting the second section or reactor typically has a carbon monoxide concentration in the range from about 0.06% to about 0.14% by volume.