초록 ▼

A method of processing sulfur-containing heavy hydrocarbon fuels in the substantial absence of steam through catalytic partial oxidation is described. The process comprises the steps of vaporizing a heavy hydrocarbon fuel and bringing the vaporized fuel and oxidizer mixture in contact with a noble m

A method of processing sulfur-containing heavy hydrocarbon fuels in the substantial absence of steam through catalytic partial oxidation is described. The process comprises the steps of vaporizing a heavy hydrocarbon fuel and bringing the vaporized fuel and oxidizer mixture in contact with a noble metal catalyst supported on an open channel structure. The hydrocarbon fuel is considered to be a liquid hydrocarbon having at least six carbon atoms and a sulfur content of at least 50 ppm. The feed, containing only the vaporized fuel and oxygen in the oxidizer mixture, is subsequently routed through a reactor containing a noble metal catalyst (typically Rh/Alumina) at contact times of not more than about 500 milliseconds and a LHSV of not less than about 0.5 h.sup.-1. The feed is partially oxidized by a catalytic reaction occurring at a temperature of no less than about 1050.degree. C., with the catalytic partial oxidation process producing essentially complete conversion of hydrocarbons present in the feed to hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The sulfur compounds in the feed are predominantly converted into hydrogen sulfide. The product gas consisting mainly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen can then be recovered or, alternatively, directed to a solid oxide fuel cell system.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A process for substantially only catalytically partially oxidizing heavy hydrocarbons comprising:(a) providing a feed gas mixture comprising an oxygen containing gas and a heavy hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content, said mixture being characterized by an atomic carbon to atom

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A process for substantially only catalytically partially oxidizing heavy hydrocarbons comprising:(a) providing a feed gas mixture comprising an oxygen containing gas and a heavy hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content, said mixture being characterized by an atomic carbon to atomic oxygen ratio of between about 0.5 to 1.0;(b) providing a catalytic structure comprising a noble metal supported on an open-channel support, said noble metal being present between about 5 to 30 wt. %; and(c) passing said feed gas mixture through said catalytic structure in the substantial absence of steam being added to said feed gas mixture, said catalytic structure being maintained at a temperature greater than about 1050.degree. C. to produce an exit gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide as main reaction products, wherein said hydrogen and carbon monoxide each have a yield of at least about 80%.