Synthesis Gas Stripper Steam Split to Prevent Amine Carbon Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of ammonia and amines in the reforming section leads to carbon formation, which is problematic for preheat equipment and catalyst beds, necessitating effective removal to maintain process efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A portion of the stripper steam from the condensate steam stripper is added to the hydrocarbon feed or synthesis gas downstream the reforming section and upstream the last shift reactor, with the remaining portion being purged to control amine levels, thereby reducing their accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all stripper steam is added to the hydrocarbon feed or synthesis gas downstream the reforming section, then the steam/drygas ratio at inlet of the shift section is controlled, but amine levels accumulate in the reforming section causing carbon formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a portion of the stripper steam from the total stream and removes it from the process (purges it), preventing the accumulation of amines that would otherwise lead to carbon formation. This selective removal resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational control while eliminating the harmful effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of steam distribution by dividing the stripper steam into two streams: one added to control steam/drygas ratio and another purged to control amine levels. This parameter change allows independent control of steam ratio and amine concentration, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and prevention of carbon formation.
2Ease of operation
If stripper steam is added downstream the reforming section, then steam/drygas ratio is controlled, but it does not contribute to removal of amines formed in the reforming section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stripper steam into two functional streams: one for controlling steam/drygas ratio and another for removing amines. By purging a portion of the stripper steam, the system addresses amine accumulation separately from steam ratio control, resolving the contradiction between these two functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The purged stripper steam acts as an intermediary mechanism that carries away accumulated amines from the reforming section. This intermediary stream resolves the contradiction by providing a dedicated pathway for amine removal that is separate from the steam ratio control function.
3Quantity of substance
If high content of amines is present in the feed steam to the reforming section, then the stripping process is effective, but carbon formation occurs in the preheat equipment or on the catalyst bed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a portion of the stripper steam containing accumulated amines and removes it from the process through purging. This prevents the amines from reacting to form carbon in the preheat equipment or on catalyst beds, resolving the contradiction between effective amine stripping and prevention of carbon formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of amines in the feed steam by purging a portion of the stripper steam. This parameter change ensures that amine levels remain below the threshold for carbon formation while maintaining effective stripping operation, resolving the contradiction between amine removal efficiency and prevention of harmful carbon formation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces amine levels at the reforming section inlet, preventing carbon formation and maintaining process stability.
Implementation Method 1
passing the process condensate to a condensate steam stripper, wherein dissolved shift byproducts comprising ammonia, methanol and amines formed during shifting the synthesis gas are stripped out of the process condensate using steam
Implementation Method 2
carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide by passing the synthesis gas through a shift section where carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide by the water gas shift process
Implementation Method 3
reforming a hydrocarbon feed in a reforming section thereby obtaining a synthesis gas comprising CH4, CO, CO2, H2 and H2O
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing synthesis gas, the process comprising the steps of a) reforming a hydrocarbon feed in a reforming section thereby obtaining a synthesis gas comprising CH4, CO, CO2, H2 and H2O and impurities comprising ammonia; b) shifting the synthesis gas in a shift section comprising one or more shift steps in series to a shifted synthesis gas; c) separating from the shifted synthesis gas a process condensate originating from cooling and optionally washing of the shifted synthesis gas; d) passing the process condensate to a condensate steam stripper, wherein dissolved shift byproducts comprising ammonia, methanol and amines formed during shifting the synthesis gas are stripped out of the process condensate using steam resulting in a stripper steam stream, e) adding a part of the stripper steam stream from the process condensate steam strip-per to the hydrocarbon feed and/or to the synthesis gas downstream the reforming section, up-stream the last shift step, wherein the remaining part of stripper steam is purged.