Overview of working principle: Hydrogen production furnace tubes are usually filled with nickel based catalysts to cause a chemical reaction between methane (CH4) and water vapor (H20), producing synthesis gas (containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide). The specific reaction is as follows:
Main reaction process
1. Methane steam reforming reaction (endothermic)
CH4+H20 → CO+3H2 (Δ H>0) This reaction occurs on the surface of the catalyst and is an endothermic reaction that requires external thermal energy to maintain the reaction.
2. Carbon monoxide shift reaction (exothermic) CO+H20 → CO2+H2 (Δ H<0) This reaction mainly occurs in the downstream shift section, with some starting in the later section of the furnace tube. This reaction mainly occurs in the downstream transformation section, with some starting in the later section of the furnace tube.
3、 Structure and Operation of Gas Furnace Tube
Material: High temperature resistant and corrosion-resistant alloy steel materials (such as HK40, HP mod, etc.) are generally selected;
Internal structure: filled with catalyst particles to ensure good gas-solid contact reaction:
External heating: maintaining the required temperature inside the tube through high-temperature flue gas or heating source:
Gas flow direction: The mixture of methane and steam flows from top to bottom or horizontally, and after catalytic reaction, it generates synthesis gas containing gas
Operation and maintenance: It is necessary to maintain uniform temperature, prevent overheating, prevent catalyst failure or furnace tube damage.
The core function of hydrogen production furnace tubes is to provide an efficient and stable reaction environment for the raw gas, allowing it to be converted into synthesis gas containing gold gas under high-temperature catalytic conditions. In the entire hydrogen production unit, it is a key reaction unit that places high demands on equipment selection, operation management, and safety control.