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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Low-temperature steam reforming process for hydrocarbons

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6568754

A new Japanese-developed catalyst for low-pressure steam reforming of hydrocarbon feeds such as refinery off-gases, LP-gas, naphtha, and kerosene offers greater stability and sulfur resistance and eliminates the need for prior desulfurization of feed. The product gas (containing up to 40% methane) is generated by introducing the feedstock and steam preheated to 482--1112/sup 0/F into a steam-reforming reactor packed with a nickel-containing catalyst. The catalyst has an atomic ratio of nickel to magnesium of 0.5--5.0 (preferably 1.0--3.0) and an oxide-form copper-chromium mixture (optionally also including manganese) up to 25 wt% relative to the nickel content in terms of metal. The catalyst may also contain up to 70 wt% of an organic refractory carrier that does not react with the associated components during the reforming operation. The steam reforming takes place at pressures of 147--1470 psig and catalyst-bed temperatures of 572--1112/sup 0/F, preferably 752--1058/sup 0/F. The mole ratio of steam to carbon atoms is 0.9--5.0.

Assignee:
Japan Gasoline Co., Ltd.
Patent Number(s):
US 4000987
OSTI ID:
6568754
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English