Distribution of trace components downstream of autothermal gas reforming processes

Trace components in autothermal non-catalytic reforming of natural gas were investigated from one of the several test campaign activities of the HP POX test plant of the institute. Detail analyses were carried out on the quench system cycle and its associated streams for the presence of molecularly dissolved CO2, NH3, H2S, HCN and their resultant ions. Synthesis gas (hot gas stream) produced in the gasifier was quenched by a mixture of recycled quench water and deionized water in the quench vessel. The raw gas stream leaving the quench vessel went to the flare. The data from one test point (VP1) was re-calculated in Aspen Plus software, and this steady state simulation formed the basis of the following sensitivity studies. The simulation results elucidate the behaviors of different traces between raw gas and quench water, which were influenced by quench water temperature variations from 130 °C to 220 °C at constant pressure (70 bar(g)) and quench water pH values variation.