Operation of a steam methane reformer by direct feeding of steam rich producer gas from steam hydro-gasification

Abstract

An improved, economical alternative method to supply steam and methane to a steam methane reformer (SMR) is accomplished by a combination of procedures, wherein product gas from a steam hydro-gasification reactor (SHR) is used as the feedstock for the SMR by removing impurities from the product stream from the SHR with a gas cleanup unit that operates substantially at process temperatures and pressures and is located between the SHR and SMR.

1 . A process for converting carbonaceous material to synthesis gas, comprising:
 simultaneously heating carbonaceous material in the presence of both hydrogen and steam, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas product;   removing impurities from the producer gas stream; and   subjecting the resultant producer gas to steam methane reforming under conditions whereby synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide is generated.   
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the impurities are removed from the producer gas stream substantially at said temperature. 
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the temperature is about 790° C. to about 850° C. 
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein impurities are removed from the producer gas stream at substantially said pressure. 
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the pressure is about 132 psi to 560 psi 
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein steam methane reforming is conducted under conditions whereby the composition of synthesis gas produced has a H 2 :CO mole ratio range of 2.1 to 6.1. 
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the steam methane reforming is conducted under conditions whereby the composition of synthesis gas produced has a H 2 :CO mole ratio of 3:1. 
   
   
       8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the carbonaceous material comprises municipal waste, biomass, wood, coal, or a natural or synthetic polymer. 
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 1  in which synthesis gas generated by the steam methane reforming is fed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor under conditions whereby a liquid fuel is produced. 
   
   
       10 . A process for converting municipal waste, biomass, wood, coal, or a natural or synthetic polymer to synthesis gas, comprising:
 simultaneously heating carbonaceous material in the presence of both hydrogen and steam, at a temperature of about 790° C. to about 850° C. and pressure about 132 psi to 560 psi whereby to generate a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas product;   removing impurities from the producer gas stream substantially at said temperature and pressure;   subjecting the resultant producer gas to steam methane reforming under conditions whereby to generate synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a H 2 :CO mole ratio range of 2:1 to 6; and   feeding synthesis gas generated by the steam methane reforming into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor under conditions whereby a liquid fuel is produced.   
   
   
       11 . The process of  claim 10  comprising transferring exothermic heat from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction to the hydro-gasification reaction and/or steam methane reforming reaction. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for converting carbonaceous material to synthesis gas, comprising:
 a hydro-gasification reactor for simultaneously heating carbonaceous material in the presence of both hydrogen and steam, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas product.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  including a Fischer-Tropsch reactor for receiving synthesis gas generated by the steam methane reformer for producing a liquid fuel. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , including means for transferring exothermic heat from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction to the hydro-gasification reactor and/or steam methane reformer.