Fluidized-bed steam methane reforming with oxygen input

A study was undertaken to determine whether oxygen could be added directly to a fluidized bed of catalyst to provide all of the endothermic heat for t he reforming reaction. It is shown that oxygen can be successfully introduc ed onto a reforming reactor to provide for the endothermic heat of reformin g reactions. The methane conversion increased with increasing reactor tempe rature, oxygen input flow rate and steam-methane ratio and decreased with i ncreasing reactor pressure as expected. Methane conversion and hydrogen yie ld are compared to those expected at equilibrium. There was 100% conversion of oxygen under all conditions. Most experimental runs reached and maintai ned autothermal conditions. The hydrogen yield increased with increasing te mperature and steam-methane ratio. The hydrogen yield decreased minimally w ith increasing reactor pressure and oxygen flowrate. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All right reserved.