CATALYTIC PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE TO SYNTHESIS GAS

The partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas has been studied using several different catalytic systems: Fixed-bed, a monolithic type catalyst, and a Pt gauze. The monoliths were impregnated with Ni and Pd (5 wt.% metal) whereas 5% Ni/Al2O3 was used in the fixed-bed reactor. The experiments were carried out at 500-800 degrees C, 1 bar and with space times in the range of 0.14-0.0002 s. The measured temperature profiles for both the fixed-bed and the monolithic reactor indicate that the reaction consists of a total combustion of some of the methane followed by the endothermic reforming reactions and the water-gas shift reaction. Selectivities close to equilibrium composition were obtained in most cases except at the very low space times. Only small amounts of H-2 were observed in the product gas from the Pt gauze catalyst.