Compact Radial Reactor with a Structured Porous Metal Catalyst for the Conversion of Natural Gas to Synthesis Gas: Experiment and Modeling

Abstract

To perform the catalytic conversion of natural gas to synthesis gas, a compact radial reactor supplied with a structured porous metal catalyst has been designed. The reactor was tested at normal pressure using natural gas and air. The reactor can operate without preheating of the inlet gas mixture. A novel structured porous metal catalyst was developed on the basis of the 7% Ni/α-Al2O3 commercial catalyst and Ni−Cr powders. The catalyst is characterized by a low hydraulic pressure drop and a high tortuosity coefficient of the regular structure. The coefficient of heat conductivity of the structured catalyst and the coefficient of mass transfer between a gas flow and the catalyst were determined in special experiments. The catalyst temperature and outlet gas concentrations were experimentally investigated with respect to the gas−air flow rate and methane concentration in the mixture. The catalyst temperature drop along the reactor radius was no higher than 230 °C. The maximum catalyst temperature does not exceed 1090 °C for all runs. At volumetric flow rates of the gas mixture of 4000−40 000 h-1 and O2/CH4 ratios of 0.6−0.9, methane is completely converted, and the maximum space time yield (STY) of the reactor is about 1 L of CH4 per second per liter of reactor. A mathematical model for this process was developed. The results of modeling agree well with the experimental data. One possible application of the developed syngas generator in internal combustion engines is discussed.