Reforming apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for an endothermic reaction, such as steam reforming of hydrocarbon gas, comprises a reaction vessel sandwiched or surrounded by heat generating apparatus. In the heat generating apparatus, a primary fuel gas and air are supplied and mixed therein, then pass through a fuel gas heating section therefor, a combustion catalyst bed, a combustion section and a discharge section in that order. A secondary fuel gas is supplied into the combustion section, typically in a plurality of stages. The primary fuel gas mixture is heated up or ignited in the preheating section, burns and passes through the catalyst bed. At least a part of the combustion section is packed with heat transfer bodies. The gas from the catalyst bed burns in the combustion section with the secondary fuel. The heat transfer bodies receive heat from the combustion gas passing therethrough by convection and radiates the heat to the reaction vessel. The heat of the combustion gas is thereby transferred to the reaction gas flowing, countercurrently with the combustion gas, through the reaction vessel wall by radiation from the heat transfer bodies. The reaction product gas is recovered through the reaction vessel countercurrently with the incoming reaction gas, thereby giving its heat to the incoming reaction gas. An even distribution of heat supply along the entire length of the flow path of the reaction gas, reduction of apparatus size, decrease in limitations on the heat-resistant materials that can be used in the apparatus, and easier designing, construction, maintenance and control of the apparatus are achieved.