Coupling of Catalytic Partial Oxidation and Steam Reforming of Methane to Syngas

Abstract

Methane-to-syngas (i.e.CO and HZ) conversion reactions involving exothermic oxidative conversion of methane and endothermic steam reforming of methane have been carried simultaneously HiO-CaO (Ni/Ca = 3.0) catalyst at different temperatures (700-850 o C), CH 4 /O Z p.8-6. 0) and CH 4 /H Z O (1.6-10.0) ratios and space velocities (16 x 10 3-1090 x lOlh-). By the coupling of the exothermic and endothermic reactions, it is possible to make, the CMOCSR (coupled methane oxidative conversion and steam reforming) process mildly endothermic, near thermoneutral or lIildly exothermic by manipulating the process conditions (viz. temperature and feed ratios) and also to operate the process in a most energy efficient and safe manner, with requirement of little or no external energy. Under the present energy crisis, the conversion of methane to syngas (with HIICO ratio close to 2.0 which is desirable for methanol and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis) wIth high conversion, selectivity and productivity in a most energy efficient and safe manner with requirement of little or no external energy is of great practical importance for the effective utilization of natural gas by its conversion to value added and/or easily transportable products via syngas routes.