Steam reforming analyzed

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States)

OSTI ID:7309702

Wagner, E S ^[1]; Froment, G F ^[2]

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1. KTI Corp., San Dimas, CA (US)
2. Ghent Rijksuniversiteit (Belgium)

This paper reports that maximum steam reformer operation without excessive coking reactions requires careful control of thermodynamic and kinetic conditions. Regardless of the syngas-based feedstock composition, carbon formation problems can be avoided while increasing reformer CO or H{sub 2} production. Steam reforming technology is best understood via: Primary steam reformer developments, Kinetics of methane steam reforming, Simulation of an industrial steam/CO{sub 2} reformer, Example conditions (steam/CO{sub 2} reforming), Thermodynamic approach (minimum to steam ratio). Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are two of the most important building blocks in the chemical industry. Hydrogen is mainly used in ammonia and methanol synthesis and petroleum refining. Carbon monoxide is used to produce pains, plastics, foams, pesticides and insecticides, to name a few. Production of H{sub 2} and CO is usually carried out by the following processes: Steam reforming (primary and secondary) of hydrocarbons, Partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, Coal gasification. Coal gasification and partial oxidation do not use catalysts and depend on partial combustion of the feedstock to internally supply reaction heat. Secondary (autothermal) reforming is a type of steam reforming that also uses the heat of partial combustion but afterwards uses a catalyst of promote the production of hydrogen and CO.

• OSTI ID: 7309702
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States) Vol. 71:7; ISSN HYPRA; ISSN 0018-8190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
08 HYDROGEN
080103* -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Steam Reformer Processes
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
AMMONIA
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL GASIFICATION
COMBUSTION CONTROL
CONTROL
GASIFICATION
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
METHANE
METHANOL
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTIAL OXIDATION PROCESSES
REACTION KINETICS
REFORMER PROCESSES
STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES
SYNTHESIS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMICS