Steam reforming processes

These gases are then fed to the water gas converter as in the steam-reforming process, after which they are compressed to ca 20.3 MPa (ca 200 atm) for processing in the catalytic ammonia converter. 

Steam Reforming Processes. In the steam reforming process, light hydrocarbon feedstocks (qv), such as natural gas, Hquefied petroleum gas, and naphtha, or in some cases heavier distillate oils are purified of sulfur compounds (see Sulfurremoval and recovery). These then react with steam in the presence of a nickel-containing catalyst to produce a mixture of hydrogen, methane, and carbon oxides. Essentially total decomposition of compounds containing more than one carbon atom per molecule is obtained (see Ammonia Hydrogen Petroleum). 

The catalytic steam-reforming process of methanol on Cu/ZnO/Ab03 catalyst primarily produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide. In addition, the minor quantities of carbon monoxide are also produced. This mechanism is explained in terms of parallel reactions [11]. 

Natural gas consists mainly of methane together with some higher hydrocarbons (Tab. 8.1). Sulfur, if present, must be removed to a level of about 0.2 ppm prior to the steam reforming process as it poisons the catalyst. This is typically done by cata-lytically converting the sulfur present as thiols, thiophenes or COS into H2S, which is then adsorbed stochiometrically by ZnO, at 400 °C, upstream of the reactor. 

Discuss the importance of the steam-reforming process for the production of hydrogen and synthesis gas. Is this process endothermic or exothermic What is the rate-limiting step for the steam reforming of methane ... 

Here we shall have a closer look at the steam reforming process, which is used in large-scale industrial production of syn-gas and hydrogen. 

Fuel reforming is popular way for hydrogen production for fuel cell use. Hydrocarbons are used for the fuel resource. Methane (CH4) steam reforming process consists of the following two gas phase reactions with various catalysts. 

The steam reformer process involves the reaction of methane and high temperature steam in the presence of a nickel catalyst. The reactions are... 

Gasynthan A process for making synthetic natural gas from naphtha by a two-stage steam reforming process. Developed by Lurgi and BASF in the 1960s. In 1975, over 30 units were operating. 

MS [Micro-Simplex] A steam reforming process for making town gas from petroleum fractions or LPG. Developed by Gaz de France and Stein Roubaix. 

The shift reaction can be conducted in a second reactor, catalyzed by a mixture of iron and chromium oxides. The product of reforming is known as synthesis gas, or syngas, and is mostly used in the manufacture of ammonia and methanol. One of the earliest steam reforming processes was developed in Germany by I.G. Farbenindustrie in 1926. See also catalytic reforming. 

Biological conversion via anaerobic digestion is currently being practiced, resulting in methane that can be processed to hydrogen by conventional steam reforming processes. 

The steam reforming process is widely employed today (2). The reaction... 

They used a Ni-containing catalyst. In contrast to steam reforming of methane, methane partial oxidation is exothermic. However, the partial oxidation requires pure oxygen, which is produced in expensive air separation units that are responsible for up to 40% of the cost of a synthesis gas plant (2) (in contrast, the steam reforming process does not require pure oxygen). Therefore, the catalytic partial oxidation of methane did not attract much interest for nearly half a century, and steam reforming of methane remained the main commercial process for synthesis gas manufacture. 

Starr, F., Tzimas, E. and Peteves, S. (2006). Near-Term IGCC and Steam Reforming Processes for the Hydrogen Economy the Development Issues. Report EUR 22340 EN, European Commission (DG JRC), Institute for Energy, Petten (The Netherlands). 

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