Method and apparatus for the thermal cracking of ammonia

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating a hydrogen-containing product gas (6), wherein, in normal operation, an ammonia-containing feedstock (1) is introduced into a cracking reactor (S) and a cracking tube (R) filled with catalyst material. The cracking tube is arranged in a combustion chamber heated by a burner so that, with the aid of a catalyst, the ammonia is thermally cracked at a cracking pressure and a cracking temperature to obtain a cracked gas (3) containing hydrogen, nitrogen, and ammonia. The cracked gas is cooled in a cracked gas cooler (K) and then processed into the product gas (6). The invention is characterized in that, in the event of an unexpected interruption of the feedstock supply, at least a portion (8) of the cracked gas (5) cooled in the cracked gas cooler (K) is recirculated and guided through the cracking tube (R) of the cracking reactor (S).

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