Advantages of autothermal reforming

There are multiple benefits to HyRadix's® proprietary autothermal reforming technology compared to alternative on-site technologies.

High Efficiency
HyRadix's proprietary autothermal reforming technology is significantly different from autothermal reforming as it has been practiced in the past. Historically, there have been two separate catalyst beds - one for the partial oxidation catalyst and one for the steam reforming catalyst. The heat from the partial oxidation reactor had to be transferred to the steam reforming reactor at a high temperature, resulting in significantly lower process efficiencies and mechanical challenges.

HyRadix's autothermal reforming technology is far more effective because the reaction heat is generated in-situ; therefore, there is no need for an external heat source to supply heat directly to the autothermal reactor. This allows for the operation of the autothermal reactor at lower temperatures while maintaining high efficiency. The result is a simple, low-cost and robust reactor design.

Operational Flexibility
The monolith catalyst structure allows for good flow distribution even during turndown conditions as low as 25% of design. Therefore, this prevents hot spots that could cause coking, as in some steam methane reforming (SMR) processes under similar turndown conditions.
The direct heating and lower peak temperatures of the autothermal reactor also enable fast startup time.

Heat Requirement
In order to achieve an effective reforming reaction, it is essential that the required heat is available throughout the reaction. The best way to achieve this result is to generate the heat in the same location as it is needed ("in-situ"). The bi-functional monolith autothermal reforming catalyst is able to generate the heat required to complete the reforming reaction in the same reactor space where that reforming reaction takes place. This allows for operation with lower peak process temperatures and avoids complex heat transfer equipment.

If the heat is not generated in-situ, then a more complex reactor design is needed to transfer the necessary heat to the proper location. Conventional reforming systems achieve this transfer by supplying heat to the outside of the reactor tubes and typically require firing temperatures in excess of 850°C. In order to meet the mechanical challenges of such temperatures, complex and expensive equipment designs using special metallurgy are employed.