Ask a question related to catalytic reforming units and hydrogen production units
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As we all know, the English term for catalytic reforming and hydrogen production is both “reform”, and both are highly endothermic reactions. Then why can’t the catalyst in the reforming unit be installed directly in the furnace tubes, just like the conversion catalyst in the hydrogen production unit, to undergo reactions after being directly heated inside the furnace? If this method can be implemented, then wouldn’t it be possible to eliminate the reactor, regenerator, and the 100-m-high reaction-regeneration framework of the reprocessing facility? Is it because the coking problem of the reforming catalyst is difficult to resolve, or is there some other reason? After all, there are many fixed-bed reforming units, and the conversion furnaces equipped with catalysts in hydrogen production plants have also been operating stably for many years.
It was inevitable to install the converter in the furnace tube for the hydrogen production unit. You should think the other way around: it would be great if the catalysts from hydrogen production devices could be used in reactors! Easy to load and unload, low cost, safe and reliable, and easy to manufacture.
I don’t understand; whose way of thinking is correct, after all?
The catalysts used in reforming units cannot be installed directly in the furnace tubes, just like the conversion catalysts used in hydrogen production units. The reforming reactions involve isomerization and dehydrogenation-cyclization processes, and light hydrocarbons are heated; after direct heating inside the furnace, the temperature remains uniform throughout the tubes, which facilitates coking and leads to cracking reactions, thereby reducing the value of those reactions. The fact that you have such an idea shows that you’re thinking critically, which is good
I guess it’s because the cost of manufacturing the reactor is too high
Reforming requires strict temperature control; if the temperature is too high, cracking occurs intensively, leading to significant coking and severely affecting the catalyst’s activity. Moreover, there are strict environmental requirements for the use of reforming catalysts, such as water-chlorine balance, otherwise their activity is greatly affected.
The reforming reaction is harsh, and catalyst carbon deposition is very severe; if a fixed-bed reactor is used, the catalyst may become inactive within half a year, so a regeneration system is necessary.