Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decreasing the spread of the tube temperatures between tubes in a process involving the heating of at least one fluid in a furnace that comprises at least one radiation chamber with radiant walls, at least one essentially vertical row of tubes inside of which circulate the at least one fluid to be heated, and being equipped with burners that heat the tubes, where the method comprises the steps of: determining, for each of the tubes the skin temperature of the tube, selecting the 50% tubes having the lowest temperatures determined, the process being stopped, realizing on each tube selected an operation that decreases the flow of the fluid distributed to said tube while keeping the total flow rate of the fluid unchanged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decreasing the spread of the tube temperatures between tubes in a process involving the heating of at least one fluid in a furnace that comprises at least one radiation chamber with radiant walls, at least one essentially vertical row of tubes inside of which circulate the at least one fluid to be heated, and being equipped with burners that heat the tubes, where the method comprises the steps of: determining, for each of the tubes the skin temperature of the tube, selecting the 50% tubes having the lowest temperatures determined, the process being stopped, realizing on each tube selected an operation that decreases the flow of the fluid distributed to said tube while keeping the total flow rate of the fluid unchanged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a hydrocarbon vapor reforming reaction using a combustion chamber containing burners and tubes, said tubes being filled with catalysts and capable of being crossed by a mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor, the burners being arranged so as to transfer their combustion heat to the mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor through the walls of the tubes, wherein the temperature T of the wall of each tube is measured in the downstream part of the tube, and if for at least one tube, the measured temperature“is higher or equal to the MOT (DTT-15° C.), DTT being the design temperature of the measured tube, the functional parameters of the reforming method are then modified so as to decrease the measured temperature T of this tube down to a value lower than the MOT.

Abstract: A method for the maintenance of a furnace for the catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbon reaction mixture, equipped with tubes filled with catalyst and for which one portion of the tubes is provided with thermocouples, the method comprising a monitoring of the temperature of the tubes is provided.

Abstract: A method for igniting the burners of a hydrocarbon steam reforming furnace is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the steam reforming of a hydrocarbon mixture in order to produce synthesis gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a hydrocarbon vapor reforming reaction using a combustion chamber containing burners and tubes, said tubes being filled with catalysts and capable of being crossed by a mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor, the burners being arranged so as to transfer their combustion heat to the mixture of hydrocarbons and vapor through the walls of the tubes, wherein the temperature T of the wall of each tube is measured in the downstream part of the tube, and if for at least one tube, the measured temperature is higher or equal to the MOT (DTT?15° C.), DTT being the design temperature of the measured tube, the functional parameters of the reforming method are then modified so as to decrease the measured temperature T of this tube down to a value lower than the MOT.

Abstract: A method for the maintenance of a furnace for the catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbon reaction mixture, equipped with tubes filled with catalyst and for which one portion of the tubes is provided with thermocouples, the method comprising a monitoring of the temperature of the tubes is provided.

Abstract: In a process for producing a mixture containing at least 10% carbon monoxide (73) by cryogenic separation of a feed gas containing at least carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, the feed gas (1) is separated to produce a first gas enriched in hydrogen (71), the feed gas is scrubbed in a methane wash column (7), a carbon monoxide enriched stream (13) from the bottom of the methane wash column is separated (19) to produce a stream further enriched in carbon monoxide (23), the stream further enriched in carbon monoxide is separated to form a carbon monoxide rich stream (31,49) and a liquid methane stream (27), at least part (72) of the carbon monoxide rich stream is mixed with the first gas enriched in hydrogen to form the mixture containing at least 10% carbon monoxide as a product stream.

Abstract: Process simulators, including a novel process simulator that utilizes simplified mathematical correlations to predict the performance of equipment or subsystems in a process unit. The process simulator comprises a process correlation that is a mathematical response model for a discrete process system in a process unit. The process correlation is developed by obtaining operating data over a range of operating conditions of the process unit and regressing the operating data to form the mathematical response model. The process simulator calculates a number of output parameters using a number of input parameters. The process simulator outputs the output parameters so they can be used by operating personnel to evaluate the current operations of the process plant and make operating decisions.

Abstract: In a process for producing a mixture containing at least 10% carbon monoxide (73) by cryogenic separation of a feed gas containing at least carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, the feed gas (1) is separated to produce a first gas enriched in hydrogen (71), the feed gas is scrubbed in a methane wash column (7), a carbon monoxide enriched stream (13) from the bottom of the methane wash column is separated (19) to produce a stream further enriched in carbon monoxide (23), the stream further enriched in carbon monoxide is separated to form a carbon monoxide rich stream (31,49) and a liquid methane stream (27), at least part (72) of the carbon monoxide rich stream is mixed with the first gas enriched in hydrogen to form the mixture containing at least 10% carbon monoxide as a product stream.

Abstract: Process simulators, including a novel process simulator that utilizes simplified mathematical correlations to predict the performance of equipment or subsystems in a process unit. The process simulator comprises a process correlation that is a mathematical response model for a discrete process system in a process unit. The process correlation is developed by obtaining operating data over a range of operating conditions of the process unit and regressing the operating data to form the mathematical response model. The process simulator calculates a number of output parameters using a number of input parameters. The process simulator outputs the output parameters so they can be used by operating personnel to evaluate the current operations of the process plant and make operating decisions.

Abstract: A liquid-gas manifold includes a single container of roughly cylindrical overall external shape, designed to define an annular space between a side wall of the container and an interior wall of a heat exchange column. The container also has a perforated bottom and a connection between the container and the interior wall of the column. Gases from the annular space are transferred to a space located above the container.

Abstract: Column for the cryogenic separation of gaseous mixtures comprising: liquid traps (10, 26, 27) located between two active zones (5, 14, 28, 29) consisting of a cylindrical container with a perforated bottom (11) and defining, with the column, an annular space (9) through which the ascending gases pass; internal linings (30, 31) of the column, means (15) for causing the ascending gases to pass into the said internal linings (30, 31) and means (18) for causing the said gases and the liquid they contain to leave the said linings (30, 31), returning them to the interior of the column above the said liquid trap (10, 26, 27); external jackets (21, 32, 33) of the column, comprising means (22, 34, 35) of introducing a cooling fluid (23) into their lower part and means (24, 36, 37) of extracting the said fluid from their upper part, the said external jacket (21, 32, 33) allowing heat transfers between the said fluid (23) and the matter circulating in the internal lining (30, 31); and means (38) for introducing a li

Abstract: Column for the cryogenic separation of gaseous mixtures comprising:

Abstract: This liquid-gas manifold comprises a single container (24) of roughly cylindrical overall external shape, designed to define an annular space between its side wall and the interior wall (1) of the column and having a perforated bottom (25), means for connecting the container (24) to the interior wall (1) of the column, and means allowing the gases to be transferred from the said annular space to the space located above the container (24).

Abstract: A process and plant for the combined production of carbon monoxide and an ammonia synthesis from a feed gas mixture containing essentially hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other constituents including methane. The process comprises subjecting the feed gas mixture at high pressure to partial condensation through a heat exchanger followed by separation to produce an impure hydrogen flow and a condensed fraction rich in carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide is cryogenically purified from the condensed fraction by separation and removal of dissolved hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a washing column, and is then cryogenically purified by washing with nitrogen in the washing column while drawing off a liquid fraction rich in carbon monoxide at the base of the washing column. An ammonia synthesis mixture is produced by adding a nitrogen supplement taken from a high-pressure nitrogen stream, and from the hydrogen flow produced at the head of the washing column.