Reforming apparatus

Abstract

A reforming apparatus of the type comprising an indirect heat exchange zone ( 5 ) for the reforming reaction of a gaseous flow comprising methane and steam into CO, CO 2 , and H 2 , is distinguished by the fact that it comprises advantageously a plurality of floating-head tubes ( 6 ) containing a reforming catalyst, a chamber ( 9 ) for collection of the reaction products positioned downstream of the tubes ( 6 ), and a duct ( 15 ) open in said chamber ( 9 ) for extraction of the reaction products from the apparatus.

1 . Reforming apparatus for the conversion of methane and steam into CO, CO 2 , and H 2 , of the type comprising: 
 a substantially cylindrical external shell ( 2 ) in which are defined an indirect heat exchange zone ( 5 ) and a zone ( 4 ) for feeding a gaseous flow comprising methane and steam to the indirect heat exchange zone ( 5 );    an opening ( 11 ) formed in said shell ( 2 ) for feeding in said indirect heat exchange zone ( 5 ) a heating gas flow as heat source for said conversion;    characterized in that it also comprises:    a plurality of floating head tubes ( 6 ) containing a reforming catalyst, extending longitudinally in said indirect heat exchange zone ( 5 ) and in fluid communication with said feeding zone ( 4 );    a chamber ( 9 ) for collecting a gaseous flow comprising CO, CO 2 , and H 2  obtained from said conversion and positioned downstream of said tubes ( 6 );    a duct ( 15 ) open in said collection chamber ( 9 ) for extracting from the shell ( 2 ) said gaseous flow comprising CO, CO 2 , and H 2 .    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said extraction duct ( 15 ) is arranged coaxially with said shell ( 2 ) and extends parallel to said tubes ( 6 ) through said indirect heat exchange zone ( 5 ) and said feeding zone ( 4 ), from said collection chamber ( 9 ) to a gas outlet opening ( 14 ) from said shell ( 2 ).  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterized in that there are provided suitable gas sealing means ( 16 ) between said duct ( 15 ) and a tube plate ( 3 ) positioned between said feeding zone ( 4 ) and said indirect heat exchange zone ( 5 ).  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , characterized in that there are provided suitable gas sealing means ( 16 ) between said duct ( 15 ) and said shell ( 2 ).  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , characterized in that there are provided suitable gas sealing means ( 16 ) between said tube plate ( 3 ) and said shell ( 2 ).  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claims 3  to  5 , characterized in that said gas sealing means ( 16 ) are arranged near said outlet opening ( 14 ).  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claims 3  to  5 , characterized in that said gas sealing means ( 16 ) are of the compression ring type.  
     
     
         8 . Use of a seal of the compression ring type in an apparatus for carrying out endothermic or exothermic chemical reactions, in particular reforming reactions, to ensure gas seal between structurally distinct parts having different thermal expansion rates.