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METHANE STEAM REACTION OVER NICKEL CATALYSTS IN THE HYNOL PROCESS
Citation:
Dong, Y. AND J. Karwowski. METHANE STEAM REACTION OVER NICKEL CATALYSTS IN THE HYNOL PROCESS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-97/093 (NTIS PB98-100480), 1997.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
The report discusses the reaction of methane-steam over nickel catalysts in the Hynol process, a process that uses biomass and natural gas as feedstocks to maximize methanol yields and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. EPA's APPCD has established a laboratory in which to conduct experiments on the critical reactions involved in the Hynol process. In this study, an integral fixed-bed reactor was used to perform kinetic measurements for methane-steam reforming at simulated Hynol operating conditions. The activity of a commercially available Ni-catalyst was evaluated. A kinetic model was developed for quantitatively interpreting the experimental data. The intrinsic reaction rates at different temperature were measured using crushed catalyst pellets, resulting in an activation energy of 28 kcal/mol. The effectiveness factor for the commercial catalyst pellets (16 mm in diameter and 10 mm long) was determined and correlated as a function of reaction temperature. Experimental results indicate that a steam-to-carbon ration of 2.5 is appropriate. The carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the feed gas were found to be insensitive to the catalyst performance within the range of the experimental study. The hydrogen in the feed gas helps catalysts remain in the reducing state and prevents carbon deposition.