abstract |
A process for producing an organic compound from a hydrocarbon containing feedstock. The feedstock is divided into two fractions. The first is subject to a primary steam reforming reaction. The reaction product is then combined with the second fraction and reacted with a free oxygen-rich gas in a secondary reforming reactor to form a synthesis gas having a ratio of n n H.sub.2 /[2(CO)+3(CO.sub.2)] n n between 0.80 and 1.00. The synthesis gas is then mixed with a hydrogen-rich stream, which has been separated from a purge gas from the synthesis loop, to form a final synthesis gas. The final synthesis gas is injected into a synthesis loop in which the desired organic compound is formed. The purge gas extracted from the loop is subjected to a physical separation to form a hydrogen-rich gas stream and a residual gas stream. A portion of the hydrogen-rich stream is recycled to form the final synthesis gas. |