HYDROGEN PRODUCTION PROCESS
A hydrogen production process includes combining a first feedstream and a second feedstream to produce, in a pre-reforming reactor, a first product stream comprising CH 4 and H 2 O; wherein the first feedstream contains a mixture of H 2 and at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms and alcohols having two or more carbon atoms, and the mixture has a hydrogen stoichiometric ratio (λ) of at least 0.1, and the second feedstream contains steam; feeding the first product stream into a reforming reactor; and reacting the first product stream in the reforming reactor to produce a second product stream containing CO and H 2 ; and a catalyst for use in the process.
1 . A hydrogen production process comprising
combining a first feedstream and a second feedstream to produce, in a pre-reforming reactor, a first product stream comprising CH 4 and H 2 O, wherein
the first feedstream comprises a mixture of H 2 and at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms and alcohols having two or more carbon atoms, said mixture having a hydrogen stoichiometric ratio (λ) of at least 0.1; and
the second feedstream comprises steam;
feeding the first product stream into a reforming reactor; and
reacting the first product stream in the reforming reactor to produce a second product stream comprising CO and H 2 .
2 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein 0.2≦λ≦1.5.
3 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein 0.25≦λ≦1.
4 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein the first feedstream is produced in a desulphurizing process in which the H 2 is combined with the at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms and alcohols having two or more carbon atoms.
5 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , further comprising feeding into the reforming reactor with the first product stream an additional feedstream comprising one or more members selected from the group consisting of steam, air, non-air oxidants, mixtures of desulphurized gases selected from hydrocarbons, carbon oxides, and inert gases.
6 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein, in the pre-reforming reactor, reaction is conducted using a catalyst comprising an active metal dispersed on a support, where the active metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Rh, Ru, Ni, Co, Pd, Ir and combinations thereof.
7 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 6 , wherein the support is at least one member selected from the group consisting of TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminates, monoclinic zirconia and alumina.
8 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 6 , wherein the active metal is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ir, Pt and Pd; and the support comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate.
9 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein the molar ratio of steam to carbon atom contained in the first feedstream, S:C, is less than 5.
10 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 9 , wherein S:C is less than 4.
11 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 10 , wherein S:C is from 3 to 4.
12 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 7 , wherein the active metal is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ir, Pt and Pd; and the support comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of alumina and an alkaline-earth hexaaluminate; and the catalyst further comprises one or more rare earth oxide promoters.
13 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 12 , wherein the catalyst is a promoted catalyst having Ir as active metal on alumina, with the promoters being a combination of 14-20 wt % of CeO 2 , 1-5 wt % of La 2 O 3 , and 1-5 wt % of Y 2 O 3 .
14 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is in a form selected from the group consisting of powders, granulates, tablets, extrudates, and washcoats on ceramic or metallic monoliths or tubular structures.
15 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein the first feedstream is introduced into the pre-reforming reactor prior to the second feedstream being introduced.
16 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein the second feedstream is introduced into the pre-reforming reactor prior to the first feedstream being introduced.
17 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein the first feedstream and second feedstream are introduced into the pre-reforming reactor simultaneously.
18 . The hydrogen production process according to claim 1 , wherein the first feedstream and second feedstream are combined prior to introduction into the pre-reforming reactor.