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Partial oxidation of methane and the effect of sulfur on catalytic activity and selectivity

Conference ·

Partial oxidation of methane into syngas was conducted over fresh and sulfided catalysts at a temperature range of 450- 750ºC. The reaction products were measure using a thermal conductivity detector. The temperature dependence of conversion, H2/CO ratio, and the CO2 concentration were measured for both fresh and pulsed sulfided catalysts. Regardless of metal type, metal loading, support type, and the methods of preparation it appears that all the tested fresh catalysts are very active and conversions of higher than 70% with H2/CO ratio of about 2 were observed at temperatures of higher than 750ºC. Pulse sulfidation appears to be reversible for some of the catalysts but not for all. Under pulse sulfidation conditions, the Rh/alumina catalyst can be fully regenerated and has the best overall activity, less carbon deposition, both fresh and when it is exposed to pulses of H2S. Sulfidation under steady state conditions, flowing H2S/Ar mixture over the catalysts, significantly reduces catalyst activity.

Research Organization:
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE - Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
OSTI ID:
916934
Report Number(s):
DOE/NETL-IR-2007-186
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English