Autothermal Reforming (ATR)
The ATR technology is one of Air Liquide's proprietary technologies and is specifically suited for large scale syngas generation as required for the production of methanol, low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia.
Go one step further in efficiency and size of your syngas generation with Autothermal Reforming (ATR). We combine partial oxidation and steam reforming to produce massive volumes of up to 1.000.000 Nm3/hr of syngas in a single reactor.
Advanced syngas production: The ATR difference
ATR is an advanced oxygen based syngas and hydrogen production technology combining heat generation ( partial oxidation) and heat utilization (steam reforming) in a single reactor.
The two reactions occur simultaneously within the reactor. The partial oxidation generates the energy needed for the steam reforming resulting in an overall autothermal reaction. Internal heat generation eliminates the need for heat transfer surfaces reducing equipment and process complexity and concentrates all CO2 in one equipment. This unique feature makes ATR particularly suitable for syngas for chemical and syngas for hydrogen production
A highly efficient hydrogen process
The production of low-carbon hydrogen through ATR relies on four key, highly integrated steps:
- Partial Oxidation: Pre-heated oxygen and natural gas are combusted at over 1,000°C to obtain CO, CO₂, H₂O, and heat.
- Steam Reforming: Natural gas and steam react under high temperature in the catalyst bed, and hydrogen and CO are produced. The heat from the partial oxidation provides the energy for the steam reforming.
- CO Shift Reaction: The syngas leaves the ATR, and CO and steam react in a downstream catalyst bed to produce additional hydrogen and CO₂.
- Carbon Capture: Separation of the carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The hydrogen is purified to be ready for use, while the CO₂ is captured using our proprietary technology, Cryocap™.
Large scale syngas production for chemicals and fuels
The ATR is perfectly suited to convert natural gas into syngas at large scale - known as the Lurgi MegaSyn™concept - due to the following features:
- maximum reliability due to a single fixed bed reactor and proprietary media cooled burner,
- maximum efficiency leveraging partial oxy-combustion to ensure high product yield, and
- minimized investment cost capitalizing high operating pressures up to 60 bar.
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Air Liquide ATR for low carbon ammonia
Air Liquide’s ATR is the cornerstone of the fully integrated low-carbon ammonia solution offered in alliance with the leading ammonia licensor KBR.
This collaboration provides customers with a comprehensive and optimized solution called Purifier A, serving as the only true one-stop shop for the industry.
The solution we jointly deliver achieves outstanding energy efficiency at carbon capture rates of up to 99% and capacities up to 6000 mtpd ammonia in a single train with a single ATR reactor at referenced size.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between ATR and SMR?
ATR converts methane with steam and oxygen into syngas, providing its own heat internally, whereas SMR converts methane with steam only and requires additional external heat input.
How does the ATR process generate its own heat?
The heat generated from the partial oxidation of natural gas and oxygen provides the necessary energy to drive the steam reforming reaction, ensuring high process efficiency.
What makes Air Liquide's ATR solution unique?
Our ATR solution strikes out due to decades of operation experience. Our solution meets the highest safety and reliability standards and has demonstrated leading equipment longevity and performance. Beyond the ATR technology itself, Air Liquide is the only company possessing all proprietary technologies—including ATR, Air Separation Units, and Cryocap™, Lurgi MegaMethanol™ —needed to deliver a fully integrated technology chain.
Browse through our hydrogen & Syngas technologies
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Large ElectrolyzerDiscover Air Liquide's Large Electrolyzer solutions. Fully integrated, industrial-scale renewable hydrogen plants targeting large plants for heavy industry.Read more
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Steam Methane ReformingAir Liquide's SMR technology is a long-proven, highly cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for large-scale hydrogen and syngas production.Read more
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Low-carbon HydrogenAir Liquide's integrated low-carbon hydrogen solutions combine ATR, Cryocap™ H₂, and ASU technologies to achieve over 99% carbon capture at competitive costs.Read more
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