CONTROL OF METHANE AND CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE EFFLUENT OF A CATALYTIC PARTIAL OXIDATION REACTOR FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM NATURAL GAS

摘要

Efforts to more efficiently use natural gas reserves have raised interest in synthesis gas (syngas) production, which is currently used for a broad number of applications [1] including modern gas-to- product technologies [2] and fuel cells [3]. Steam reforming is frequently used for synthesis gas and hydrogen production; however, this process is not ideal in terms of time or efficiency. The catalytic partial oxidation process (CPOX) is an alternative to steam reforming [4]. CPOX is much faster and more energy efficient [5]. Comparative thermodynamic analyses have confirmed that partial oxidation has an advantage over steam reforming for syngas production [6]. While highly endothermic steam reforming processes require external heating [7], the exothermicity of the catalytic partial oxidation process allows for the compensation of thermal losses. In the face of rising natural gas prices the partial oxidation process is becoming more economically attractive, especially in the cases of small and medium production capacities [6, 8].