Abstract: A reformer method for reforming hydrocarbons are described. The feed stream is heated in the presence of reforming catalyst both in a tube convection portion and a radiant section of the reformer furnace. The catalyst tubes may have an extended surface in the tube convection portion to enhance heat transfer within the convection portion.

Abstract: Means are disclosed for lowering the temperature of the gaseous effluent from the first catalyst bed in a continuous ammonia synthesis process in which a syngas mixture containing nitrogen and hydrogen is passed sequentially over two or more catalyst beds containing ammonia synthesis catalyst. This cooling, effected to promote the exothermic ammonia-forming reaction, is accomplished by subjecting the gaseous effluent from the first catalyst bed to heat exchange in a high temperature heat sink, preferably after having undergone heat exchange with the synthesis gas feed to the first catalyst bed, to control the temperature of the effluent entering the second catalyst bed to a desired level.

Abstract: Shell-and-tube transfer line heat exchangers are disclosed, having inlet ends with a flow streamlining device comprising, in combination:flared ends, preferably in the form of hollow truncated cones, whose smaller ends are aligned with and mated to the inlet ends of the heat exchange tubes in a conventional transfer line heat exchanger, the ends of these heat exchange tubes being contained within tubesheets, the flared ends extending away from the inlet and tubesheet, andpeaked gas guides, preferably in the form of closed, concave gables having rounded, smooth tops, which rise between the rims or edges of adjacent larger ends of the flared ends and enclose the spaces between these rims or edges.Methods of quenching high temperature gases while recovering useable heat therefrom using these modified transfer line heat exchangers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the cryogenic purification of industrial by-product hydrogen streams to recover a high yield of a high purity hydrogen product is disclosed in which two or more of such by-product streams, one containing detrimental amounts of non-readily condensible impurities having boiling points below that of methane, e.g., nitrogen, helium and the like, the other containing by-product hydrogen gas streams which are substantially free of non-readily condensible impurities. These two feed streams are then separately passed through successive cooling and separation stages. At each separation stage, a liquid bottom fraction containing readily condensible hydrocarbons is separated from the overhead of each of the two feed streams. Successive separations are carried out until the overhead from the stream which is substantially free of non-readily condensible impurities (but which contains a significant amount of readily condensible impurities, including methane) attains the desired degree of purity.

Abstract: Means are disclosed for lowering the temperature of the gaseous effluent from the first catalyst bed in a continuous ammonia synthesis process in which a syngas mixture containing nitrogen and hydrogen is passed sequentially over two or more catalyst beds containing ammonia synthesis catalyst. This cooling, effected to promote the exothermic ammonia-forming reaction, is accomplished by subjecting the gaseous effluent from the first catalyst bed to heat exchange in a steam superheater, preferably after having undergone heat exchange with the synthesis gas feed to the first catalyst bed, to control the temperature of the effluent entering the second catalyst bed to a desired level.

Abstract: An improved process for removing free liquid from a hydrocarbon-rich gas stream is disclosed. Liquid is injected into the gas stream upstream of a chiller and downstream of an acid-gas removal system and any equipment that may affect the water content of the gas stream: compressors, columns, additional knockout drums, heat exchangers or the like. This enhances heat and mass transfer in a manner that both minimizes the formation of small droplets and encourages the coalescence of small droplets in the chiller. As a result, small droplets which would normally pass through a knockout drum and a standard mist eliminator are increased in size, prior to their arrival at a vapor-liquid separator to larger drops which are easily removed by the vapor-liquid separator, and the mist eliminator.