PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE TO CARBON-MONOXIDE AND HYDROGEN IN A FLUIDIZED-BED REACTOR

A fluidized bed reactor has been used to investigate the partial oxida tion of methane to syngas over a NiO/NiAl2O4 catalyst. The axial conce ntration profiles of the different species along the bed have been det ermined and related to the observed temperature profiles. The amount o f carbon deposited on the catalyst under different operating condition s has also been determined. The results show that under suitable condi tions, the bubbling fluidization regime gives a stable reactor perform ance with high conversion and selectivity, and a limited amount of car bon formation.