Process for the production of syngas and hydrogen starting from reagents comprising liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons, and/or oxygenated compounds, also deriving from biomasses, by means of a non-integrated membrane reactor

Abstract

A process for the production of syngas and hydrogen starting from liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and/or oxygenated compounds, also deriving from biomasses, and mixtures thereof, envisages recourse to a membrane reactor in an architecture that uses a succession of reaction and separation stages. The process includes a section for pre-heating the reagents, a number of sections for short-contact-time catalytic partial oxidation for producing syngas and hydrogen in a number of stages followed by separation of hydrogen produced via membranes, a thermal-recovery section, a section for removing produced carbon dioxide, and a section for cooling and removing condensate. Optionally, the process includes a section for purifying obtained hydrogen via pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) and generating purge gas with medium calorific value. Furthermore, the process includes a section for hydrodesulphuration of the reagents and could include a section for conversion of the COand Hproduced by a reverse-water-gas-shift (RWGS) reaction.