Catalytic activity evaluation for hydrogen production via autothermal reforming of methane

• Published in: Catalysis today 2010-01, Vol.149 (3), p.413-417
• Main Authors: de Souza, Aleksándros El Áurens Meira, Maciel, Leonardo José Lins, de Lima Filho, Nelson Medeiros, de Abreu, Cesar Augusto Moraes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autothermal reforming; Catalysis; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Gamma-alumina; General and physical chemistry; Hydrogen; Methane; Nickel; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2009.06.003

A nickel catalyst (5.75 wt.%) supported on gamma-alumina was evaluated through autothermal reforming of methane (ATR). The reforming process was pointed to hydrogen production, following thermodynamic and stoichiometric predictions. The catalyst was characterised by several methods including atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), B.E.T.-N 2, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermal analyses (thermogravimetry, TG; derivate thermogravimetry, DTG; and differential thermal analysis, DTA). Experimental evaluations in a fixed-bed reactor (1023–1123 K, 1.00 bar, 150–400 cm 3/min feed) presented methane conversions in the range of 40–65%. The effluent mixtures provided hydrogen yields in the range of 78–84%, carbon monoxide 3–14%, and carbon dioxide 5–18%. High molar H 2/CO ratios, ranging from 8 to 90, were obtained. Operating autothermal conditions (excess of steam, 1023–1123 K, 1.00 bar) provided low coke formation and high hydrogen selectivity (81%) for methane reforming.