Impact of post-flame processes on the hydrogen yield in partial oxidation of methane in the matrix reformer

Abstract

Non-catalytic partial oxidation of methane in matrix reformers offers the possibility of producing hydrogen directly at sites of its consumption, in particular from local bioresources and non-traditional fossil hydrocarbons. The kinetics simulation of the process shows that it proceeds in two stages. In the flame zone, in the presence of oxygen, along with CO, H2, CO2 and H2O, methane pyrolysis products are formed. Then, in the post-flame zone, in the absence of oxygen, at 1400–1600 K the slow pyrolysis and steam conversion of the products occur. Kinetic analysis shows that the pyrolysis of methane into acetylene and the subsequent steam reforming of the latter proceeds much faster than the direct interaction of methane with H2O, which leads to decreasing methane and acetylene concertation and increasing H2 and CO concentration. It is necessary to optimize conditions in the prost-flame zone to increase hydrogen yield and decrease acetylene yield.