초록 ▼

The present invention relates to devices for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions with transfer of heat therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to autothermic modules using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes to separate, selectively,

The present invention relates to devices for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions with transfer of heat therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to autothermic modules using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes to separate, selectively, oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and supply it directly to partial combustion of gaseous organic compounds. Processes using autothermic modules in accordance with this invention are, advantageously, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is substantially free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen. In particular, for conversions, within the integral autothermic module, of natural gas or other forms of gaseous lower alkanes to synthesis gas by means of partial combustion followed by reforming.

대표청구항 ▼

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] A device for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions, the device comprising a shell having an entrance port, an exit port and a passageway therebetween for flow of gases comprising a source of oxygen, and within the shell at least

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] A device for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions, the device comprising a shell having an entrance port, an exit port and a passageway therebetween for flow of gases comprising a source of oxygen, and within the shell at least one autothermic module for chemical conversions, each module comprising a al combustion compartment having a feed port and a catalytic compartment containing a catalyst and having a product port, the catalytic compartment in flow communication with the partial combustion compartment, a wall of the partial combustion compartment and the passageway being coextensive and defined by a gas-tight partition at least a portion of which comprises a dense ceramic membrane, the dense ceramic membrane further comprising a crystalline mixed metal oxide which exhibits, at operating temperatures, electron conductivity, oxygen ion conductivity and ability to separate oxygen from a gaseous mixture containing oxygen and one or more other volatile components by means of the conductivities, and the catalytic compartment disposed within the partial combustion compartment such that at least a portion of a wall of the catalytic compartment is adjacently disposed to receive radiant heat from at least a portion of the gas-tight partition.