Process and system for generating synthesis gas

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for generating synthesis gas using hydrocarbons and water are described. In further embodiments of the method and the apparatus, synthesis gases having any desired CO/hydrogen ratio and/or synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons are generated. With this method, a hydrocarbon containing fluid may be transformed into a synthesis gas having variable hydrogen content without generating significant amounts of CO2. Further, hydrogen and different forms of carbon may be obtained as by-products.

Having described the invention, we claim; 
     
         1 . An apparatus for generating synthesis gas comprising:
 a hydrocarbon converter for the decomposing a hydrocarbon containing fluid into carbon and hydrogen, wherein the hydrocarbon converter comprises at least one process chamber having at least one inlet for a hydrocarbon containing fluid and at least one outlet for carbon and/or hydrogen and at least one unit for introducing energy into the process chamber, the energy consisting at least partially of heat;   a C converter for transformation of water and carbon by bringing the water into contact with the carbon exiting the hydrocarbon converter, the C converter comprising at least one further process chamber having at least one inlet for water, at least one inlet for at least carbon and at least one outlet, wherein the inlet for at least carbon is directly connected to the at least one outlet of the hydrocarbon converter;   wherein the hydrocarbon converter is adapted to produce an aerosol comprising carbon and hydrogen, and wherein the outlet of the hydrocarbon converter is adapted to direct the aerosol to the C converter for contact with the water; and/or   wherein a separation unit is provided for separating the carbon obtained by decomposing and the hydrogen obtained by decomposing, the separation unit having separate outlets for the separated materials coming from the separation unit, wherein the outlet for carbon is connected to the C converter for contact with the water wherein a separate inlet pipe for hydrogen from the separation unit is provided, the inlet for hydrogen leading into the C converter for mixing the hydrogen with the water or into a mixing chamber located downstream.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for generating synthesis gas according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one unit for introducing energy into the process chamber is designed in such a way that it can generate, at least locally, temperatures above 1000° C. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for generating synthesis gas according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one unit for introducing energy into the process chamber comprises a plasma unit, particularly a microwave plasma unit. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for generating synthesis gas according to  claim 1 , wherein the process chamber of the C converter is formed by an outlet pipe of the hydrocarbon converter, wherein the outlet pipe is connected to an inlet for water. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for generating synthesis gas according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon converter comprises a Kvaerner reactor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for generating synthesis gas according to  claim 1  having at least one additional hydrocarbon converter for decomposing a hydrocarbon containing fluid into carbon and hydrogen, the additional hydrocarbon converter comprising:
 at least one process chamber having at least one inlet for the hydrocarbon containing fluid; 
 at least one unit for introducing energy into the process chamber, the energy at least partially consisting of heat; 
 a separation unit for separating the carbon obtained by decomposing and the hydrogen obtained by decomposing, with separation unit having separate outlets for carbon and hydrogen, wherein the outlet for hydrogen is connected to the separate inlet pipe for hydrogen. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for generating synthesis gas according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one additional hydrocarbon converter is of a type carrying out decomposing at temperatures below 1000° C., particularly below 600° C. by means of a microwave plasma. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for generating synthesis gas according to  claim 1 , further comprising a CO converter having
 a process chamber, in which a catalyst is located,   means for bringing the synthesis gas in contact with the catalyst, and   a control unit for the open-loop controlling or closed-loop regulating the temperature of the catalyst and/or the synthesis gas to a predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the CO converter comprises one of the following: a Fischer-Tropsch converter, a SMDS converter, a Bergius-Pier converter, a Pier converter, a combination of a Pier converter with a MtL converter. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  further comprising a control unit for open-loop controlling or closed-loop regulating the pressure of the synthesis gas in the CO converter.