Natural gas combustion in a catalytic turbulent fluidized bed

Abstract

Catalytic fluidized bed combustion of natural gas is shown to be an emerging technology capable of meeting all environmental constraints as far as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide are concerned. This technology uses powder catalysts in the turbulent flow regime where the gas-solid contact is optimal so as to maintain a high combustion efficiency. In fact, the catalytic combustion carried out in both the bubbling and the turbulent regimes at 450–500°C shows that the turbulent regime is more favorable. A single phase plug flow model with axial dispersion is shown to fit satisfactorily the data obtained at 500°C where the combustion efficiency is very good. A self-sustained combustion was achieved with a mixture of 4% methane at around 500°C with a complete conversion of methane and a zero emission of NO x and CO.