Chemistry of inorganic compounds – Hydrogen or compound thereof – Elemental hydrogen
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2002-07-09
Griffin, Steven P. (Department: 1754)
Chemistry of inorganic compounds
Hydrogen or compound thereof
Elemental hydrogen
C252S373000, C502S524000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06416731
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to steam reforming of hydrocarbons by contact with a supported nickel catalyst having improved activity and resistance to sulphur poisoning.
In particular, the invention is directed to an improved catalyst support material of high surface spinel, optionally promoted by Group III, IV or lanthanide metals. High surface spinel carrier materials provide a much improved sulphur resistance when employing hydrocarbon feedstock with high content of sulphur compounds due to a reduced degree of sulphur coverage on the carrier surface. Thereby, retaining sufficient catalytic activity with sulphur compounds containing feedstock.
The surface area of the carrier depends on the calcination temperature actually employed in the preparation of the carrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that spinel carrier material having a specific surface higher than or equal to a certain value after calcination at a predetermined calcination temperature posses the above advantageous properties.
Accordingly, the invention provides a process for catalytic steam reforming of a carbonaceous feedstock with improved resistance to sulphur poisoning and sintering characterised by contacting the feedstock with a nickel catalyst supported on magnesium aluminum spinel, MgO.xAl
2
O
3
, with a specific surface area, A
sp
[m
2
/g], higher than expressed by the formula A
sp
=400·exp(−T
c
/400° C.) obtained by calcination at a temperature T
c
[° C.] where T
c
≧400° C.
As mentioned herein before, steam reforming activity of the spinel supported nickel catalyst is further improved when promoting the catalysts by inclusion of additional metals.
Preferred metals are Zr, Y, W, La, Ce or a mixture of lanthanides including La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, commercially available as lanthanide concentrate. The above metal promoters are preferably included in the catalyst in a total amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight, most preferred in an amount of 0.5% to 5% by weight. The nickel content in the catalyst will be between 10% and 60% by weight, preferably between 15% and 40% by weight.
When operating the inventive process in industrial scale, it may be sufficient to arrange the above catalyst as top layer in a catalyst bed of a conventional nickel steam reforming catalyst.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3436358 (1969-04-01), Thygesen et al.
patent: 3786137 (1974-01-01), Thomas
patent: 3926583 (1975-12-01), Rostrup-Nielsen
patent: 4542112 (1985-09-01), Matsui et al.
patent: 5395406 (1995-03-01), Clavenna et al.
patent: 5595719 (1997-01-01), Ul-Haque et al.
patent: 6238816 (2001-05-01), Cable et al.
patent: 0470626 (1992-02-01), None
patent: 0640560 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 54054982 (1979-05-01), None
patent: 56033036 (1981-04-01), None
patent: 2054963 (1996-02-01), None
Jianguo Xu,et al., “Methane Steam Reforming, Methanation and Water-Gas Shift: I. Intrinisic Kinetics”,AIChE Journal, vol. 35, No. 1, Jan. 1989; pp. 88-96.
Dohrup Jesper
Jacobsen Claus J. H.
Olsen Christian
Dickstein , Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky, LLP
Griffin Steven P.
Haldor Topsoe A/S
Medina Sanabria Maribel
LandOfFree
Process for catalytical steam reforming of a hydrocarbon... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process for catalytical steam reforming of a hydrocarbon..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process for catalytical steam reforming of a hydrocarbon... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2893994