Abstract: A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidizing a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia.

Abstract: A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidising a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia.

Abstract: A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidizing a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream includes the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a hydrocarbon gas stream comprises the steps of (i) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, (ii) mixing the hydrogen gas mixture with a gaseous hydrocarbon stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting hydrocarbon gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the gaseous hydrocarbon to steam.

Abstract: A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidising a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia.

Abstract: A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidising a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor for preparing a catalyst suitable for use in a sour water-gas shift process is described, including; 5 to 30% by weight of a catalytically active metal oxide selected from tungsten oxide and molybdenum oxide; 1 to 10% by weight of a promoter metal oxide selected from cobalt oxide and nickel oxide; and 1 to 15% by weight of an oxide of an alkali metal selected from sodium, potassium and caesium; supported on a titania catalyst support.

Abstract: A process for passivation of surfaces of heat exchange apparatus exposed to a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide, includes the steps of: (i) adding arsine to the synthesis gas to provide a total As concentration in the synthesis gas in range 0.001 to 10 ppmv, (ii) exposing the mixture of hot synthesis gas and arsine to the shell-side surfaces of said heat exchange apparatus to reduce the interaction between the carbon monoxide present in said gas and metals in said surfaces, (iii) recovering a cooled synthesis gas from the shell-side of said apparatus, and (iv) passing the cooled synthesis gas, optionally after further cooling, through a sorbent bed to remove arsenic compounds from the synthesis gas.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream includes the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream comprises the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for passivation of surfaces of heat exchange apparatus exposed to a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide, includes the steps of: adding arsine to the synthesis gas to provide a total As concentration in the synthesis gas in range 0.001 to 10 ppmv, (ii) exposing the mixture of hot synthesis gas and arsine to the shell-side surfaces of said heat exchange apparatus to reduce the interaction between the carbon monoxide present in said gas and metals in said surfaces, (iii) recovering a cooled synthesis gas from the shell-side of said apparatus, and (iv) passing the cooled synthesis gas, optionally after further cooling, through a sorbent bed to remove arsenic compounds from the synthesis gas.

Abstract: A process is described for the passivation of the surfaces of heat exchange apparatus exposed to a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, including the steps of: (i) adding an arsenic compound to the synthesis gas at a temperature ?850° C. to generate volatile arsenic passivation species, (ii) exposing the mixture of hot synthesis gas and arsenic passivation species to surfaces on the shell-side of said heat exchange apparatus to reduce the interaction between the carbon monoxide present in said gas and metals said in said surfaces, (iii) recovering a cooled synthesis gas from the shell-side of said apparatus, and (iv) passing the cooled synthesis gas, optionally after further cooling, through a sorbent bed to remove arsenic compounds from the synthesis gas.

Abstract: A method for passivating low-alloy steel surfaces in apparatus operating in the temperature range 350 to 580° C. and exposed to a carbon monoxide containing gas mixture comprises adding a passivating compound containing at least one phosphorus (P) atom to the gas mixture. The gas mixture is preferably a reformed gas and also described is a process for producing a synthesis gas wherein, prior to cooling a reformed gas mixture to a temperature between 350 and 580° C. in apparatus having low-alloy steel surfaces downstream of one or more reforming steps, a passivating compound containing at least one phosphorus (P) atom is combined with the gas mixture.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream comprises the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises a heat exchange reformer having disposed within a plurality of vertical catalyst-filled tubes, through which a gas mixture comprising hydrocarbon and steam may be passed, and to which heat may be transferred by means of a heat exchange medium flowing around the external tube surfaces, wherein heat exchange adapting means are provided within the reformer so that the tubes have a zone of lower heat exchange extending from the bottom of the catalyst up to 25% of the catalyst depth with no heat exchange enhancement means provided in that zone. A process for steam reforming of hydrocarbons employs this apparatus.

Abstract: A method for reducing the interaction between carbon monoxide present in a heat exchange medium and metals on the shell side of heat exchange reformer apparatus used for reforming of hydrocarbons by treatment of the shell-side of said apparatus with an effective amount of at least one passivation compound containing at least one element selected from phosphorus, tin, antimony, arsenic, lead, bismuth, copper, germanium, silver or gold is described. Where volatile compounds are formed by the passivation compound, the method further comprises compound recovery to prevent contamination and deactivation of subsequent process steps. The method reduces side reactions, provides improved reformer tube lifetime and allows tubes to be treated in-situ without the need for process shutdown.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous hydrocarbon stream comprises the step of passing the gaseous hydrocarbon stream over a material comprising a metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn or Ag in a reduced state so that oxygen present in said stream reacts with the metal, wherein the metal in the reduced state is formed by, (i) withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon stream, (ii) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from the hydrocarbon portion, and (iii) passing the gas mixture containing hydrogen over the material containing the metal in reducible form.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a hydrocarbon gas stream comprises the steps of (i) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, (ii) mixing the hydrogen gas mixture with a gaseous hydrocarbon stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting hydrocarbon gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the gaseous hydrocarbon to steam.

Abstract: An apparatus for steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises a heat exchange reformer having disposed within a plurality of vertical catalyst-filled tubes, through which a gas mixture comprising hydrocarbon and steam may be passed, and to which heat may be transferred by means of a heat exchange medium flowing around the external tube surfaces, wherein heat exchange adapting means are provided within the reformer so that the tubes have a zone of lower heat exchange extending from the bottom of the catalyst up to 25% of the catalyst depth with no heat exchange enhancement means provided in that zone. A process for steam reforming of hydrocarbons employs this apparatus.