초록 ▼

An apparatus for conducting an endothermic catalytic reaction wherein closed ended, i.e., double pass, externally heated reformer tubes are employed. The inner return tube are insulated so that there is only a small temperature drop between the reacted gas leaving the catalyst zone and entering the

An apparatus for conducting an endothermic catalytic reaction wherein closed ended, i.e., double pass, externally heated reformer tubes are employed. The inner return tube are insulated so that there is only a small temperature drop between the reacted gas leaving the catalyst zone and entering the return tubes and the gas leaving the return tubes. The outer, closed end, tubes preferably have fins to increase the surface area, and are surrounded by sheaths through which a heating medium passes. The heating medium is preferably hot gas obtained by subjecting the primary reformed gas to secondary reforming.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for conducting an endothermic catalytic reaction comprising: (a) a tubular reactor having: (i) a first tube having a length, an internal cross-section, an internal surface, an external surface, an open end, and a closed end; (ii) a second tube having first and second open ends, an external

Apparatus for conducting an endothermic catalytic reaction comprising: (a) a tubular reactor having: (i) a first tube having a length, an internal cross-section, an internal surface, an external surface, an open end, and a closed end; (ii) a second tube having first and second open ends, an external cross-section smaller than said internal cross-section of said first tube, an internal surface bounding an interior of said second tube, and an external surface, said second tube disposed within said first tube and having a length such that said second tube extends said length of said first tube with said first end of said second tube spaced from said closed end of said first tube, thereby providing a first space between said external surface of said second tube and said internal surface of said first tube in fluid communication with said interior of said second tube; (iii) means for thermally insulating said second tube for at least part of said length thereof, said thermally insulating means being disposed on at least one of said internal and external surfaces of said second tube; and (iv) means for supporting a catalyst within said first space, so as to provide a catalyst zone within said first space and having a length extending for at least part of said length of said first space and for at least part of said thermally insulating length of said second tube; (b) means for supplying a heating fluid to said external surface of said first tube; (c) reactant inlet means connected to said open end of said first tube; and (d) product outlet means connected to said second end of said second tube. In a double tube reformer having a first tube having a first closed end, a second open end, an external surface, and an internal cross-section; and a second tube disposed within said first tube and having an internal surface, an external surface, first and second open ends, and an external cross-section smaller than said internal cross-section of said first tube thus defining a space between said tubes for receipt of a catalyst; said second tube having its first end spaced from said closed end of said first tube; the improvement comprising means for thermally insulating said second tube for at least part of said length of said second tube, and disposed on at least one of said internal and external surfaces of said second tube whereby improved heat transfer may be achieved between a heating medium heating said external surface of said first tube and reactants passing through the space.