PROPANE STEAM REFORMING OVER ALUMINA SUPPORTED RH CATALYSTS: INFLUENCE OF CERIA AND NICKEL ADDITION

摘要

Due to interest in using fuel cell for auxiliary power supply, steam reforming of hydrocarbon fuels for on-board and/or on-site hydrogen production for fuel cell applications may play a key role in developing clean energy technologies and protecting the atmospheric environment. Steam reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as jet fuels and diesel fuels is a viable and effective way due to their existing infrastructures and high energy densities. However, thermal decomposition of heavy hydrocarbons to form carbonaceous deposits is the main issue under conventional reforming conditions. In order to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the thermal decomposition in steam reforming process, low temperature reforming (400-500°C), namely pre-reforming was suggested as an additional process step by which fuel saving could be increased by 9.2% relative to the process without the pre-reformer. The major role of the pre-reformer is to convert heavier hydrocarbons to methane. After pre-reforming, methane steam reforming for hydrogen production at high temperature (750-800°C) may be applied.