POSTUPAK ZA TRETIRANJE VODENOM PAROM ALIFATICNIH UGLJOVODONIKA RADI PROIZVODNJE GASA BOGATOG METANOM

摘要

In a process for steam reforming hydrocarbons, e.g. petroleum fractions boiling in the range 30 DEG to 250 DEG C., or for carrying out the shift reaction or the methanization reaction (CO + 3H2sXCH4 + H2O), the reactants are contacted, under suitable conditions, with a catalyst comprising nickel supported on sepiolite. The temperature, pressure, space velocity and steam/carbon ratio are chosen to favour the desired reaction, but the widest ranges are::- Temperature: 250 DEG to 1000 DEG C. Pressure: 0 to 700 p.s.i.g. Liquid hourly space velocity: 0.25 to 4.0 v/v/hr. Steam/carbon mole ratio: 1.5: 1 to 8 :1. The composition and preparation of the catalyst may be as described in Specification 899,652 or Specification 1,045,680 in which an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal is included, and the catalyst may be in the form of granules, pellets, spheres or rods, and may be fixed, moving, or fluidized. The amount of elemental nickel may range from 1 to 50% by weight, but 2 to 10% is preferred. The process may be continuous or discontinuous, and may be multi-stage, e.g. the first stage may favour steam reforming, the second the shift reaction and/or the methanization reaction. Seven specific examples are described in which n-heptane is the feedstock.