Heat exchange reformer with double-tubes for reforming hydrocarbons

1. A heat exchange reformer for conducting a process for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising:

an outer shell;

a plurality of vertically disposed catalyst tubes containing reforming catalyst which fill a portion of the catalyst tubes;

a catalyst tube supporting structure;

means for heating the catalyst tubes indirectly with a heat exchanging medium;

an inlet conduct for the introduction of said heat exchanging medium;

an outlet conduct for the withdrawal of said heat exchanging medium after having delivered heat to the catalyst;

an inlet conduct for introduction of hydrocarbon feedstock and which is in fluid communication with catalyst arranged within the catalyst tubes;

an outlet conduct for the withdrawal of synthesis gas after having passed through the catalyst tubes;

an inlet conduct for the introduction of cooling medium in which said cooling medium is in heat conduction relationship with the catalyst tube structure and in fluid communication with the catalyst arranged within the catalyst tubes,

in which the heat exchange reformer is a double-tube reactor with catalyst disposed inside the double tubes, wherein the cooling medium enters each catalyst tube through tube apertures provided along the length of the upper portion of the catalyst tubes and mixes with the hydrocarbon feedstock entering at the top of the catalyst tubes, and wherein a metal shroud or sleeve extends along the upper portion of the catalyst tubes, in the same location as the tube apertures, and creates a space along the length of the catalyst tubes for the passage of the cooling medium.

2. The heat exchange reformer according to claim 1 in the form of a heat exchange reformer selected from:

a bayonet tube type reactor,

tube and shell heat exchanger and

a double-tube reactor with catalyst disposed inside and outside the double tubes.