Catalytic propane steam reforming

Figure 7.5 Gas composition of the reformer product as determined for the integrated propane steam reformer-catalytic burner during lOOOh test duration [40].

Hydrocarbons react with steam in an endothermic reaction to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The most important feedstock for the catalytic steam reforming process is natural gas. Other feedstocks are associated gas, propane, butane, liquefied petroleum gas, and some naphtha fractions (q.v.). The choice is usually made on the availability and the price of the raw material. 

Two reaction mechanisms for partial propane oxidation exist in the literature. One of them proposes that the reaction starts with catalytic combustion followed by reactions of a lower rate, namely steam reforming, C02 reforming and water-gas shift [54], Aartun et al. [55] investigated both reactions. The other mechanism proposes that the partial oxidation reaction occurs directly at very short residence times [56], which are easier to achieve in the micro channels. 

The industrially most important and currently cheapest hydrogen production process is the catalytic steam reforming process in which steam is reacted with natural gas (methane) or light crude oil fractions (propane, butane, naphtha with b.p. s < 200°C). The hydrogen produced comes partly from the steam utilized and partly from the hydrocarbons, in the case of methane 1/3 from water and 2/3 from the methane ... 

Natesakhawat, S., Oktar, O., and Ozkan, U.S. Effect of lanthanide promotion on catalytic performance of sol-gel Ni/Al203 catalysts in steam reforming of propane. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A Chemical, 2005, 241 (1-2), 133. 

Laosiripojana, N., Sangtongkitcharoen, W., and Assabumrungrat, S. Catalytic steam reforming of ethane and propane over Ce02-doped Ni/Al203 at SOFC temperature Improvement... 

Partial oxidation of propane (Coating characterization) Partial oxidation of propane Selective catalytic reduction of NOx (Coating characterization) Water gas shift Methane steam reforming Methanol steam reforming Schwarz et al. [178] Roumanie et al. [179] Pennemann et al. [183] Ercoli et al. [184] Stefanescu et al. [181] Germani et al. [177] Tonkovich et al. [182] Yu et al. [185]... 

Aartun, 1., Venvik, H.J., Holmen, A., Pfeifer, P Gdrke, O. and Schubert, K. (2005) Temperature profiles and residence time effects during catalytic partial oxidation and oxidative steam reforming of propane in metallic microchannel reactors. Catal. Today, 110 (1-2), 98-107. 

More than 90% of today s petrochemicals are produced from refineiy products. Most are based on the use of C2-C4 olefins and aromatics finm hydrocarbon steam cracking units, which are even more closely linked to refineries. In North America, the feedstock for steam cracker units have generally been ethane, propane, or LPG. As a result, most of the propylene and aromatics have been provided by FCC units and catalytic reformers. In maity other parts of the world where naphtha feed has been more readily available, suppUes of propylene and aromatics have been produced directly by steam cracking. When necessary, the catalytic dehydrogenation of paraffins or dealkylation of toluene can balance the supply of olefins or benzene. In Table 7.2 some of the catalytic processes that convert olefins and benzene from a steam cracker into basic petrochemicals for the modem chemical industry are shown. 

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