Catalytic decomposition of light hydrocarbons over a Ni-Cu-Fe/Al2O3 catalyst for development of an associated petroleum gas utilization technology

Abstract

The decomposition of light hydrocarbons with use of a Ni-Cu-Fe/Al2O3 catalyst and the production of carbon nanomaterials and hydrogen as the main process products is proposed in this work for the utilization of associated petroleum gas in small and distant oil fields. It was found that a 70% Ni-10% Cu-10% Fe/Al2O3 catalyst is most effective in the decomposition of a propane-butane mixture in a temperature range of 700–725°C; under these conditions, to 700–750 L of H2 per gram catalyst can be obtained. The concentration of hydrogen at the reactor outlet was 70–75 mol %.