Plant for the production of synthesis gas

Abstract

A plant for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein the plant comprises a heat exchange reformer (HER) including a HER reactor vessel 53 and an autothermal reformer (ATR) including an ATR reactor vessel 55, wherein the HER and ATR reactor vessels are coupled in series, the plant including: infeed piping 80 for feeding a mixture of the hydrocarbon feedstock and steam to the HER where the feedstock is steam reformed in catalyst-containing tubes in indirect heat exchange with a hot effluent synthesis gas from the ATR to form a primary reformed synthesis gas stream, piping 82 for feeding the primary gas stream to the ATR wherein the primary gas is autothermally reformed to form a secondary reformed synthesis gas stream, and piping for feeding the secondary gas stream to the HER, the ATR reactor vessel having an outlet nozzle at one side and the HER reactor vessel having an inlet nozzle disposed opposite, and the secondary reformed gas piping comprises a minimal length straight pipe 84 for conveying the secondary reformed gas streams directly from the outlet nozzle of the ATR to the inlet nozzle of the HER. A process is also defined. [Figure 6]