Snamprogetti

Piero Bisi

Vincenzo Lagana'

Francesco Saviano

An improved process is disclosed for preparing gases containing hydrogen and nitrogen and which is especially suitable for the synthesis of ammonia. Using natural gas or virgin naphtha as the starting materials, the reforming reaction with steam takes place in two serially arranged stages, the first of which occurs at an inlet temperature of from 400.degree. C. to 650.degree. C. and an exit temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 750.degree. C., a conversion of from 20% to 50% being effected, the second stage working at an exit temperature of from 750.degree. C. to 850.degree. C. and the conversion being increased up to 70%. Air reforming is carried out under conditions at which the exit temperature of the gas is between 920.degree. C. and 1050.degree. C. and the sensible heat of the effluent gases from the air reforming at such temperature condition is employed to activate the second steam reforming stage. Tube bundle heat-exchangers, the tubes of which are filled with an appropriate catalyst, are used.

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Paderno Dugnano, Italy

Piero Bisi