FIELD: chemistry.
SUBSTANCE: invention relates to chemistry and can be used in hydrogen synthesis. Hydrogen is obtained in the reforming zone through oxidation of hydrocarbon-containing material, air and vapour in the presence of free oxygen in molar ratio to carbon in the material approximately ranging from 0.4:1 to 0.6:1 and molar ratio of vapour to carbon in the material approximately not less than 4:1. The output stream, which contains hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, is cooled through indirect heat exchange with a stream which contains liquid water, obtaining a stream which contains vapour at temperature not less than approximately 300°C, which is re-circulated into the reforming zone. Further cooling of the output stream to parametres suitable for adsorption at varying pressure is possible, wherein said cooling is sufficient for water condensation. Condensed water is separated during or after further cooling. The cooled output reforming stream is adsorbed at varying pressure, obtaining a stream of pure hydrogen, the first of which contains not less than 98 mole percent hydrogen, and the second - less than approximately 10 parts per million by volume of carbon monoxide. Sorption purification gas is formed. Part of the purified hydrogen is output as a hydrogen product. The sorption purification gas is burnt. The hydrogen generator includes a reforming apparatus which has input and output sections, a line carrying hydrocarbon-containing material 202 and a line carrying the oxygen-containing stream 266, which are linked to the input section of the reforming apparatus 222, an indirect heat exchanger 216, which is linked to the output section of the reforming apparatus with partial oxidation. The heat exchanger 216 has a hot side along which the hydrogen-containing reforming product passes, and a cold side which is linked to at least a liquid water source 206. The hydrogen generator also includes a cooler 212, which receives cooled reforming product from the hot side of the heat exchanger and gives out further cooled reforming product and condensed water, apparatus for removing condensed water 230 from the further cooled reforming product, an adsorber with variable pressure 234, which receives the further cooled reforming product from the cooler, from which condensed water has been removed, and gives out a stream of hydrogen product 236 and a blow-off stream 234 containing hydrogen, a combustion chamber 240 containing an oxidation catalyst, into which the blow-off stream and the oxygen-containing gas are fed, giving out a gaseous combustion product, and at least one indirect heat exchanger 256 which has a hot side which receives the gaseous combustion product, and a cold side which is linked to the line carrying liquid water and produces vapour, wherein the said heat exchanger 256 is linked to the reforming apparatus with partial oxidation.
EFFECT: inventions increase cost-effectiveness when used in small hydrogen generators.
37 cl, 19 dwg, 3 tbl
