EP2222596A2 - Method for producing synthesis gas by vapour reforming - Google Patents

Method for producing synthesis gas by vapour reforming

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Publication number
EP2222596A2
EP2222596A2 EP08856193A EP08856193A EP2222596A2 EP 2222596 A2 EP2222596 A2 EP 2222596A2 EP 08856193 A EP08856193 A EP 08856193A EP 08856193 A EP08856193 A EP 08856193A EP 2222596 A2 EP2222596 A2 EP 2222596A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tubes
reforming
synthesis gas
mixture
hydrocarbons
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08856193A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean Gallarda
Jacques Segret
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP2222596A2 publication Critical patent/EP2222596A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
    • B01J8/02—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
    • B01J8/06—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds in tube reactors; the solid particles being arranged in tubes
    • B01J8/062—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds in tube reactors; the solid particles being arranged in tubes being installed in a furnace
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/32—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air
    • C01B3/34—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
    • C01B3/38—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents using catalysts
    • C01B3/384—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents using catalysts the catalyst being continuously externally heated
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2208/00—Processes carried out in the presence of solid particles; Reactors therefor
    • B01J2208/00008—Controlling the process
    • B01J2208/00017—Controlling the temperature
    • B01J2208/00504—Controlling the temperature by means of a burner
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/02—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/0205—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a reforming step
    • C01B2203/0227—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a reforming step containing a catalytic reforming step
    • C01B2203/0233—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a reforming step containing a catalytic reforming step the reforming step being a steam reforming step
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/08—Methods of heating or cooling
    • C01B2203/0805—Methods of heating the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/0811—Methods of heating the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas by combustion of fuel
    • C01B2203/0816—Heating by flames

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for steam reforming a hydrocarbon mixture for the production of synthesis gas.
  • a steam reforming process is carried out in a steam reforming furnace fed on the one hand with hydrocarbon feedstock and steam, and on the other hand with heat.
  • Heat is usually provided by burning various fuels with air.
  • This combustion is carried out in the radiation zone of the furnace (radiant section in English), sometimes also called combustion chamber, by means of burners, arranged in the top and / or bottom and / or on the side walls of the zone of radiation.
  • the reactor is said to be heated by the top, when the burners are placed on the side walls, it is said to side heating in English .
  • the reforming is carried out in the furnace combustion chamber which comprises the burners and tubes filled with catalysts and able to be traversed by the hydrocarbon feedstock and the steam generally in the form of a mixture.
  • the burners are arranged to optimally transfer the heat of their combustion to the mixture of hydrocarbons and steam through the wall of the tubes.
  • the load is injected.
  • the high temperature of the oven, several hundred degrees, maintained by combustion, then allows, in the tubes, the dissociation reaction of the molecules of the hydrocarbon feedstock and the production of synthesis gas (syngas) which will then be treated.
  • the temperature is not uniform over the length of a tube, but the temperature profiles are very different depending on whether one has to do with top fired tubes, or side fired tubes.
  • the maximum temperature ie 900 ° C
  • the maximum temperature or 900 ° C is observed in the upstream part of the tube.
  • the upstream and downstream parts of the tubes are defined in the direction of introduction of the mixture of steam and hydrocarbons in the tubes.
  • the reformer tubes usually have a life of about
  • Different solutions are used alone or in combination to control the aging of the reforming tubes, for example: to prevent excessive damage to the tubes, by controlling the process implemented in the oven so as to apply a sufficient temperature to maintain a high efficiency of synthesis gas while ensuring that this temperature does not reduce the life of reforming tubes according to a method described in patent application FR 06 55308 (unpublished); to continuously determine the effective remaining life of the tubes of a reformer, and this for each tube, in order to program their replacement according to a method described in International Application PCT / FR2007 / 050635 (unpublished) ; avoid hot spots on the tubes by improving for example the power distribution on the tubes.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method allowing the same conditions of use to increase the life of the tubes, while maintaining the normal temperature of use of said tubes.
  • the invention relates to a process for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming of hydrocarbons implemented in a combustion chamber of a reforming furnace comprising burners and tubes, said tubes being filled with catalyst and arranged vertically in the combustion chamber, to be traversed by a mixture of said hydrocarbons with steam, said mixture being introduced into the tubes at their upper end, the synthesis gas produced being recovered at the bottom of the tubes, the burners being arranged to transfer the heat of combustion to the mixture of hydrocarbons and steam through the wall of the tubes, characterized in that, after a given operating time of the tubes, they are turned over so as to increase their expected life in normal conditions of use.
  • the temperature gain can reach 200 ° C, it is also quite noticeable in the case of a reformer of type top fired; in the case of a top fired, the hottest point (900 ° C) will indeed be subjected after its turnaround to a lower temperature of 15 to 20 ° C, which ensures a doubling of life in the same operating conditions.
  • the operating time from which the tubes are turned over is determined as a function of the average reforming temperature.
  • the wall temperature of the tubes itself is higher or lower, and the life of the tubes and the aging of the tubes is affected.
  • the charge of the reformer influences the lifespan of the tubes as a whole; when the load is lower, it is not necessary to bring as much heat to the reformer, in this case, the aging of the tubes is less; on the contrary, if the load is increased, the heat input must be increased, which accelerates the aging of the tubes. It is thus that, preferably, the operating time is determined from which the roll-over is carried out. tubes depending on the load feeding the reformer.
  • the invention relates to a method in which it also takes into account the accelerated aging of certain tubes due to their position in the furnace to proceed with their early reversal.
  • the set of tubes is therefore not treated in a unique way; these prematurely returned tubes will then have to be changed independently of the rest of the reformer tubes.
  • the tube reversal method is used in conjunction with a method for monitoring the aging of the tubes, and in the case of evidencing the accelerated aging of certain tubes, these prematurely aged tubes are selectively turned over, and if necessary thereafter to their change.
  • the method of the invention applies to existing installations, in which case it may be necessary to cut the tubes in the immediate vicinity of their two ends, then to turn the tube and to weld it at the ends left in place. .
  • tubes having a particular geometry at the ends are used either by themselves or via connecting pieces so that the tubes can be inverted without the need to cut them.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Hydrogen, Water And Hydrids (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a synthesis gas by reforming hydrocarbon vapours, that is implemented in a combustion chamber of a reforming furnace comprising burners and tubes, wherein said tubes are filled with a catalyst and are arranged vertically in the combustion chamber so that a mixture of hydrocarbons and vapour can flow therethrough in the downward direction, the synthesis gas thus produced being recovered at the lower portion of the tubes, and the burners being arranged so as to transfer the combustion heat to the mixture of hydrocarbons and vapour through the wall of the tubes, and wherein after a given operation duration of the tubes, the latter are turned upside down in order to increase their lifetime relative to that initially planned in normal conditions of use.

Description

Procédé de production de gaz de synthèse par reformage à la vapeur Process for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming
La présente invention concerne un procédé de reformage à la vapeur d'un mélange d'hydrocarbures pour la production de gaz de synthèse. Un procédé de reformage à la vapeur d'hydrocarbures est réalisé dans un four de reformage à la vapeur, alimenté d'une part en charge hydrocarbonée et en vapeur, et d'autre part en chaleur.The present invention relates to a process for steam reforming a hydrocarbon mixture for the production of synthesis gas. A steam reforming process is carried out in a steam reforming furnace fed on the one hand with hydrocarbon feedstock and steam, and on the other hand with heat.
La chaleur est généralement fournie par la combustion de combustibles divers avec de l'air. Cette combustion est réalisée dans la zone de radiation du four (radiant section en anglais), parfois également appelée chambre de combustion, grâce à des brûleurs, disposés dans le haut et/ou dans le bas et/ou sur les parois latérales de la zone de radiation. Lorsque les brûleurs sont placés en haut du four, le réacteur est dit chauffé par le haut, (top fired en langue anglaise), lorsque les brûleurs sont placés sur les parois latérales, il est dit à chauffage latéral (side fired en langue anglaise). Le reformage est mis en œuvre dans la chambre de combustion du four qui comprend les brûleurs et des tubes remplis de catalyseurs et aptes à être traversés par la charge hydrocarbonée et la vapeur généralement sous forme de mélange.Heat is usually provided by burning various fuels with air. This combustion is carried out in the radiation zone of the furnace (radiant section in English), sometimes also called combustion chamber, by means of burners, arranged in the top and / or bottom and / or on the side walls of the zone of radiation. When the burners are placed at the top of the oven, the reactor is said to be heated by the top, when the burners are placed on the side walls, it is said to side heating in English . The reforming is carried out in the furnace combustion chamber which comprises the burners and tubes filled with catalysts and able to be traversed by the hydrocarbon feedstock and the steam generally in the form of a mixture.
Les brûleurs sont disposés de manière à transférer de façon optimale la chaleur de leur combustion au mélange d'hydrocarbures et de vapeur à travers la paroi des tubes. Lorsque le four est chaud, la charge est injectée. La haute température du four, plusieurs centaines de degrés, maintenue grâce à la combustion, permet alors, dans les tubes, la réaction de dissociation des molécules de la charge hydrocarbonée et la production de gaz de synthèse (syngas) qui sera ensuite traité.The burners are arranged to optimally transfer the heat of their combustion to the mixture of hydrocarbons and steam through the wall of the tubes. When the oven is hot, the load is injected. The high temperature of the oven, several hundred degrees, maintained by combustion, then allows, in the tubes, the dissociation reaction of the molecules of the hydrocarbon feedstock and the production of synthesis gas (syngas) which will then be treated.
Des températures élevées sont toujours souhaitables pour augmenter le rendement de production en gaz de synthèse,High temperatures are still desirable to increase the production yield of synthesis gas,
Compte tenu de la géométrie du four de reformage et du déroulement des réactions de reformage, la température n'est pas uniforme sur la longueur d'un tube, mais les profils de température sont très différents selon que l'on a à faire à des tubes chauffés par le haut (top fired), ou des tubes chauffés latéralement (side fired). C'est ainsi que pour des tubes équipant un reformeur de type side fired, la température maximale, soit 900°C, est observée dans la partie aval du tube, tandis que pour un tube équipant un reformeur de type top fired, la température maximale, soit 900°C, est observée dans la partie amont du tube. Les parties amont et aval des tubes sont définies selon le sens d'introduction du mélange de vapeur et d'hydrocarbures dans les tubes. Ces différents profils de température sont illustrés par la figure 1 qui présente les profils de température de paroi des tubes en degrés Celsius, sur la longueur des tubes du sommet du tube (0% de la longueur) jusqu'à son extrémité inférieure (100% de la longueur). On remarque ainsi que la température d'un tube de type side fired croit de 700°C à 900°C, la température maximale, soit 900°C, est observée dans la partie aval du tube ; dans le cas d'un tube équipant un réacteur top fired, la température est de l'ordre de 800°C au sommet du tube, passe par le maximum (900°C) dans la première moitié, et décroît ensuite jusqu'à 850°C environ.Given the geometry of the reforming furnace and the progress of reforming reactions, the temperature is not uniform over the length of a tube, but the temperature profiles are very different depending on whether one has to do with top fired tubes, or side fired tubes. Thus for tubes fitted to a reformer of the type side fired, the maximum temperature, ie 900 ° C, is observed in the downstream part of the tube, whereas for a tube equipping a reformer of the top fired type, the maximum temperature or 900 ° C, is observed in the upstream part of the tube. The upstream and downstream parts of the tubes are defined in the direction of introduction of the mixture of steam and hydrocarbons in the tubes. These different temperature profiles are illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows the tube wall temperature profiles in degrees Celsius, along the length of the tubes at the top of the tube (0% length) to its lower end (100% of the length). It is thus noted that the temperature of a side fired tube increases from 700 ° C to 900 ° C, the maximum temperature, 900 ° C, is observed in the downstream part of the tube; in the case of a tube fitted to a top fired reactor, the temperature is of the order of 800 ° C at the top of the tube, passes through the maximum (900 ° C) in the first half, and then decreases to 850 ° C approx.
Les tubes de reformeur présentent habituellement une durée de vie d'environThe reformer tubes usually have a life of about
100 000 heures dans les conditions normales d'utilisation. Des températures plus élevées que prévues réduisent la durée de vie des tubes : ainsi, la durée de vie peut être divisée par 2 si le tube est utilisé à une température de 15°C de plus que sa température de design .100,000 hours under normal conditions of use. Higher than expected temperatures reduce the life of the tubes: thus, the service life can be halved if the tube is used at a temperature of 15 ° C higher than its design temperature.
Différentes solutions sont utilisées seules ou en association afin de contrôler le vieillissement des tubes de reformage, il s'agit par exemple : de prévenir un endommagement excessif des tubes, en contrôlant le procédé mis en œuvre dans le four de manière à appliquer une température suffisante pour maintenir un rendement élevé en gaz de synthèse tout en s'assurant que cette température ne réduit pas la durée de vie des tubes de reformage selon un procédé décrit dans la demande de brevet FR 06 55308 (non publiée); - de déterminer en continu, la durée de vie restante effective des tubes d'un reformeur, et ceci pour chaque tube, afin d'en programmer le remplacement .selon un procédé décrit dans la demande internationale PCT/FR2007/050635 (non publiée) ; d'éviter les points chauds sur les tubes en améliorant par exemple la répartition de puissance sur les tubes.Different solutions are used alone or in combination to control the aging of the reforming tubes, for example: to prevent excessive damage to the tubes, by controlling the process implemented in the oven so as to apply a sufficient temperature to maintain a high efficiency of synthesis gas while ensuring that this temperature does not reduce the life of reforming tubes according to a method described in patent application FR 06 55308 (unpublished); to continuously determine the effective remaining life of the tubes of a reformer, and this for each tube, in order to program their replacement according to a method described in International Application PCT / FR2007 / 050635 (unpublished) ; avoid hot spots on the tubes by improving for example the power distribution on the tubes.
Une autre réponse au besoin permanent de diminuer le coût lié au remplacement des tubes de reformeur consisterait à augmenter la durée de vie prévue de ces tubes, en conditions normales d'utilisation.Another response to the ongoing need to reduce the cost of replacing reformer tubes would be to increase the expected service life of these tubes under normal conditions of use.
Le but de la présente invention est de proposer un procédé permettant aux mêmes conditions d'utilisation d'augmenter la durée de vie des tubes, tout en maintenant les températures normales d'utilisation desdits tubes.The object of the present invention is to provide a method allowing the same conditions of use to increase the life of the tubes, while maintaining the normal temperature of use of said tubes.
Dans ce but, l'invention concerne un procédé de production de gaz de synthèse par reformage à la vapeur d'hydrocarbures mis en œuvre dans une chambre de combustion d'un four de reformage comprenant des brûleurs et des tubes, lesdits tubes étant remplis de catalyseur et disposés verticalement dans la chambre de combustion, pour être traversés par un mélange desdits hydrocarbures avec de la vapeur, ledit mélange étant introduit dans les tubes à leur extrémité supérieure, le gaz de synthèse produit étant récupéré en partie basse des tubes, les brûleurs étant disposés de manière à transférer la chaleur de la combustion au mélange d'hydrocarbures et de vapeur à travers la paroi des tubes, caractérisé en ce qu' après une durée de fonctionnement donnée des tubes, on procède à leur retournement de sorte à augmenter leur durée de vie prévue en conditions normales d'utilisation.For this purpose, the invention relates to a process for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming of hydrocarbons implemented in a combustion chamber of a reforming furnace comprising burners and tubes, said tubes being filled with catalyst and arranged vertically in the combustion chamber, to be traversed by a mixture of said hydrocarbons with steam, said mixture being introduced into the tubes at their upper end, the synthesis gas produced being recovered at the bottom of the tubes, the burners being arranged to transfer the heat of combustion to the mixture of hydrocarbons and steam through the wall of the tubes, characterized in that, after a given operating time of the tubes, they are turned over so as to increase their expected life in normal conditions of use.
En effet, en procédant au retournement des tubes de reformeur au bout d'une certaine durée de fonctionnement, on améliore l'homogénéité de vieillissement des tubes, sur leur longueur, qu'il s'agisse des tubes d'un réacteur de type side fired ou top fired. Grâce au retournement du tube, la zone du tube soumise aux températures les plus élevées et dont le vieillissement est par conséquent le plus important, devient suite à ce retournement une zone soumise à des températures moins élevées et voit donc son vieillissement ralenti. Si le procédé est particulièrement avantageux dans le cas des tubes équipant les reformeurs de type side fired puisque lors d'un retournement de tube, le gain en température peut atteindre 200°C, il est aussi tout à fait notable dans le cas d'un reformeur de type top fired ; dans le cas d'un top fired, le point le plus chaud (900°C) sera soumis en effet après son retournement à une température plus basse de 15 à 20°C, ce qui lui assure un doublement de durée de vie dans les mêmes conditions de fonctionnement. Selon une variante de l'invention, celle-ci concerne un procédé selon lequel la durée de fonctionnement à partir de laquelle on procède au retournement des tubes est déterminée en fonction de la température moyenne de reformage. En effet, selon que la température de reformage est plus ou moins élevée, la température de paroi des tubes est elle même plus ou moins élevée, et la durée de vie des tubes et le vieillissement des tubes en est affecté. De la même manière, la charge du reformeur influe sur la durée de vie des tubes dans leur ensemble ; lorsque la charge est moindre, il n'est pas nécessaire d'apporter autant de chaleur au reformeur, dans ce cas, le vieillissement des tubes est moindre; à l'opposé, si la charge est augmentée, l'apport de chaleur doit être augmenté, ce qui accélère le vieillissement des tubes C'est ainsi que de préférence, on détermine la durée de fonctionnement à partir de laquelle on procède au retournement des tubes en fonction de la charge alimentant le reformeur.Indeed, by reversing the reformer tubes after a certain period of operation, it improves the homogeneity of aging tubes over their length, whether the tubes of a side reactor type fired or top fired. By reversing the tube, the region of the tube subjected to the highest temperatures and aging is therefore the most important, becomes a result of this reversal an area subjected to lower temperatures and thus sees its aging slowed down. If the process is particularly advantageous in the case of the tubes equipping the reformers of the type side fired since during a reversal of the tube, the temperature gain can reach 200 ° C, it is also quite noticeable in the case of a reformer of type top fired; in the case of a top fired, the hottest point (900 ° C) will indeed be subjected after its turnaround to a lower temperature of 15 to 20 ° C, which ensures a doubling of life in the same operating conditions. According to a variant of the invention, it relates to a method according to which the operating time from which the tubes are turned over is determined as a function of the average reforming temperature. In fact, depending on whether the reforming temperature is higher or lower, the wall temperature of the tubes itself is higher or lower, and the life of the tubes and the aging of the tubes is affected. In the same way, the charge of the reformer influences the lifespan of the tubes as a whole; when the load is lower, it is not necessary to bring as much heat to the reformer, in this case, the aging of the tubes is less; on the contrary, if the load is increased, the heat input must be increased, which accelerates the aging of the tubes. It is thus that, preferably, the operating time is determined from which the roll-over is carried out. tubes depending on the load feeding the reformer.
On pourra procéder au retournement de l'ensemble des tubes en une seule opération lors d'un arrêt programmé de l'installation de reformage. Ce retournement général aura lieu avantageusement lors d'un arrêt programmé de l'installation durant la deuxième moitié de vie des tubes. C'est ainsi que pour une durée de vie calculée des tubes (hors retournement) de 10 ans, le retournement des tubes sera réalisé lors d'un arrêt programmé au-delà des 5 ans de vie des tubes.It will be possible to turn over all the tubes in a single operation during a scheduled shutdown of the reforming installation. This general reversal will take place advantageously during a scheduled shutdown of the installation during the second half of life of the tubes. Thus, for a calculated life of tubes (not turning over) of 10 years, the reversal of the tubes will be realized during a programmed stop beyond the 5 years of life of the tubes.
Selon une variante de l'invention, celle-ci concerne un procédé dans lequel on prend aussi en compte le vieillissement accéléré de certains tubes dû à leur position dans le four pour procéder à leur retournement anticipé. L'ensemble des tubes n'est dès lors pas traité de manière unique ; ces tubes prématurément retournés devront par la suite être changés indépendamment du reste des tubes du reformeur.According to a variant of the invention, it relates to a method in which it also takes into account the accelerated aging of certain tubes due to their position in the furnace to proceed with their early reversal. The set of tubes is therefore not treated in a unique way; these prematurely returned tubes will then have to be changed independently of the rest of the reformer tubes.
Préférentiellement, le procédé de retournement de tubes est utilisé conjointement avec une méthode de suivi du vieillissement des tubes, et en en cas de mise en évidence du vieillissement accéléré de certains tubes, on procède à un retournement sélectif de ces tubes prématurément vieillis, et si nécessaire par la suite à leur changement.Preferably, the tube reversal method is used in conjunction with a method for monitoring the aging of the tubes, and in the case of evidencing the accelerated aging of certain tubes, these prematurely aged tubes are selectively turned over, and if necessary thereafter to their change.
Le procédé de l'invention s'applique aux installations existantes, dans ce cas, il peut être nécessaire de procéder à une découpe des tubes à proximité immédiate de leurs deux extrémités, puis au retournement du tube et à son soudage aux extrémités restées en place.The method of the invention applies to existing installations, in which case it may be necessary to cut the tubes in the immediate vicinity of their two ends, then to turn the tube and to weld it at the ends left in place. .
De préférence cependant, on utilise des tubes présentant une géométrie particulière au niveau des extrémités soit par eux-mêmes, soit via des pièces de jonction de sorte que les tubes puissent être retournés sans qu'il soit nécessaire de les découper. Preferably, however, tubes having a particular geometry at the ends are used either by themselves or via connecting pieces so that the tubes can be inverted without the need to cut them.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de production de gaz de synthèse par reformage à la vapeur d'hydrocarbures mis en œuvre dans une chambre de combustion d'un four de reformage comprenant des brûleurs et des tubes, lesdits tubes étant remplis de catalyseur et disposés verticalement dans la chambre de combustion, pour être traversés par un mélange desdits hydrocarbures avec de la vapeur, ledit mélange étant introduit dans les tubes à leur extrémité supérieure, le gaz de synthèse produit étant récupéré en partie basse des tubes, les brûleurs étant disposés de manière à transférer la chaleur de la combustion au mélange d'hydrocarbures et de vapeur à travers la paroi des tubes, caractérisé en ce que après une durée de fonctionnement donnée des tubes, on procède à leur retournement de sorte à augmenter leur durée de vie prévue en conditions normales d'utilisation. A process for producing synthesis gas by steam reforming of hydrocarbons implemented in a combustion chamber of a reforming furnace comprising burners and tubes, said tubes being filled with catalyst and arranged vertically in the chamber combustion, to be traversed by a mixture of said hydrocarbons with steam, said mixture being introduced into the tubes at their upper end, the synthesis gas produced being recovered at the bottom of the tubes, the burners being arranged to transfer the heat of combustion at the mixture of hydrocarbons and steam through the wall of the tubes, characterized in that, after a given operating time of the tubes, their reversal is carried out so as to increase their expected lifetime under normal conditions of operation. 'use.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que la durée de fonctionnement à partir de laquelle on procède au retournement des tubes est déterminée en fonction de la température moyenne de reformage.2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the operating time from which the tubes are turned over is determined as a function of the average temperature of reforming.
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2 caractérisé en ce que on procède au retournement de l'ensemble des tubes en une seule opération lors d'un arrêt programmé de l'installation de reformage3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that one proceeds to turn over all the tubes in a single operation during a scheduled shutdown of the reforming installation
4. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2 dans lequel on prend en compte le vieillissement accéléré de certains tubes dû à leur position dans le four pour procéder à leur retournement anticipé.4. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein account is taken of the accelerated aging of some tubes due to their position in the furnace to proceed with their early reversal.
5. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel on utilise ledit procédé conjointement avec une méthode de suivi du vieillissement des tubes, et en cas de mise en évidence du vieillissement accéléré de certains tubes, on procède à un retournement sélectif des tubes prématurément vieillis. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is used in conjunction with a method of monitoring the aging of the tubes, and in the case of evidence of accelerated aging of certain tubes, selectively reversing the prematurely aged tubes.
EP08856193A 2007-12-03 2008-11-26 Method for producing synthesis gas by vapour reforming Withdrawn EP2222596A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0759498A FR2924423B1 (en) 2007-12-03 2007-12-03 PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF SYNTHESIS GAS BY STEAM REFORMING
PCT/FR2008/052127 WO2009071839A2 (en) 2007-12-03 2008-11-26 Method for producing synthesis gas by vapour reforming

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EP2222596A2 true EP2222596A2 (en) 2010-09-01

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EP08856193A Withdrawn EP2222596A2 (en) 2007-12-03 2008-11-26 Method for producing synthesis gas by vapour reforming

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US (1) US20100301274A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2222596A2 (en)
CN (1) CN101883734A (en)
EA (1) EA201070671A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2924423B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2009071839A2 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201003700B (en)

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EP2671634B1 (en) * 2012-06-08 2017-08-09 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method to homogenize the tube temperatures between tubes during processes involving heating of gas flowing in the tubes
WO2019207105A1 (en) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-31 Technip France Burner system for a steam cracking furnace

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DE3813864A1 (en) * 1988-04-23 1989-11-02 Uhde Gmbh Apparatus, in particular for producing synthesis gas in a reformer
US6153152A (en) * 1990-04-03 2000-11-28 The Standard Oil Company Endothermic reaction apparatus and method
US6296814B1 (en) * 1998-11-10 2001-10-02 International Fuel Cells, L.L.C. Hydrocarbon fuel gas reformer assembly for a fuel cell power plant
GB0507269D0 (en) * 2005-04-11 2005-05-18 Johnson Matthey Plc Steam reforming
FR2888920B1 (en) * 2005-07-19 2013-07-05 Air Liquide PROCESS FOR MAINTENANCE OF CATALYST TUBES OF HYDROCARBON REFORMER
DK2101906T3 (en) * 2007-01-09 2010-11-01 Air Liquide Process for replacing the catalyst tubes in a hydrocarbon reformer

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Title
See references of WO2009071839A2 *

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CN101883734A (en) 2010-11-10
EA201070671A1 (en) 2010-10-29
FR2924423B1 (en) 2010-11-26
ZA201003700B (en) 2011-02-23
WO2009071839A3 (en) 2009-08-13
FR2924423A1 (en) 2009-06-05
WO2009071839A2 (en) 2009-06-11
US20100301274A1 (en) 2010-12-02

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