Abstract
This chapter presents several methods for reforming of hydrocarbons or oxygenated hydrocarbons to syngas. It provides information on decomposition of hydrocarbons, supercritical reforming, non-catalytic thermal reforming in porous media, radio frequency (RF)-assisted reforming, and pre-reforming. Supercritical water oxidation technique for H2 production is gaining great attention because of unique properties of supercritical water that may change the fuel reactivity, thermodynamic equilibrium, and the reaction pathway. The properties of supercritical water such as solubility, density, and viscosity are significantly different than liquid or vaporized water. Non-catalytic thermal reforming using porous media combustion is gaining momentum for H2 production from hydrocarbon reforming. This non-catalytic approach involves combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in a catalytically inert porous media at fuel rich conditions. The basic principle is the internal heat transfer from the product gases to the entering feed through solid conduction and solid-to-solid radiation characteristics of the porous media. Furthermore, RF-induced catalytic fuel reforming has been shown to be effective in enhancing the performance of reforming catalysts by reducing carbon formation. The observed effects of RF-fields on catalysis are increased catalyst activity and selectivity, reduced carbon formation, and reduced reactor heating. However, it is not known yet what mechanism (improved heating, excited surface states, or other mechanism) causes the improved catalyst performance. Finally, pre-reforming can be used to convert higher gaseous hydrocarbons (>C1) into smaller molecules (CO, H2, CH4, etc.).
Published Version
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