Fluidized bed membrane reactor

Abstract

Herein disclosed is a dry reforming reactor comprising a gas inlet near the bottom of the reactor; a gas outlet near the top of the reactor; a fluidized bed comprising a catalyst; and one or more hydrogen membranes comprising palladium (Pd). In some cases, the one or more hydrogen membranes comprises Pd alloy membranes, or Pd supported on ceramics or metals. In some cases, the one or more hydrogen membranes are placed vertically in the reactor as hydrogen membrane tubes hanging from the top of the reactor. In some cases, the hydrogen membranes are configured to selectively collect hydrogen from the tubes via one or more internal manifolds and sent to an external hydrogen collection system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dry reforming reactor comprising
 a gas inlet near the bottom of the reactor;   a gas outlet near the top of the reactor;   a fluidized bed comprising a catalyst; and   one or more hydrogen membranes comprising palladium (Pd).   
     
     
         2 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein said one or more hydrogen membranes comprises Pd alloy membranes, or Pd alloys supported on ceramic or metal substrates. 
     
     
         3 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein said one or more hydrogen membranes are placed vertically in the reactor as hydrogen membrane tubes hanging from the top of the reactor. 
     
     
         4 . The reactor of  claim 3  wherein the hydrogen membranes are configured to selectively collect hydrogen from the tubes via one or more internal manifolds and sent to an external hydrogen collection system. 
     
     
         5 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the gas inlet is configured to allow one or more feed streams to enter the reactor via a manifold or distributor. 
     
     
         6 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises nickel and alumina. 
     
     
         7 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the reactor is configured to allow reformed gas to exit the top of the reactor and separate from spent catalyst. 
     
     
         8 . The reactor of  claim 1  configured to use no process water and no oxygen. 
     
     
         9 . The reactor of  claim 1  is operated at a temperature range of 600-700° C. and a pressure range of 700-800 kPa. 
     
     
         10 . The reactor of  claim 1  comprising one or more internal manifolds configured to collect hydrogen from the hydrogen membranes and send the collected hydrogen to an external hydrogen collection system. 
     
     
         11 . The reactor of  claim 1  configured to allow one or more feed streams to fluidize the catalyst in the reactor. 
     
     
         12 . The reactor of  claim 1  comprising a cyclone for solid-gas separation.