Synthesis gas production by reforming methane in a chemical compression reactor

Various technologies are suggested to convert methane, a main ingredient of natural gas, into hydrogen. These investigations are part of the total efforts to develop new low-pollution energies and reduce greenhouse gases. This study, different from existing methods of reformation, suggests a first step in an approach to a partial oxidation of methane in a methane-air mixture with usage of the internal combustion engine, which can be modified to a chemical compression reactor with heat recuperation. A simple commercial diesel engine with an intake electrical heater was used for investigations. The theoretical analysis was done and the experiments were carried out with methane-air mixtures of variable equivalence ratio, and total flow rate under high intake temperature. Results showed that the concentration of hydrogen and carbon monoxide could reach almost 20 and 15%, respectively, under the optimal standard conditions with an equivalence ratio of 0.35, total flow rate of 106.5 L/min, and intake preheating temperature of 600 K. The considerable role of crankshaft speed on syngas yield was shown. © 2010 by Begell House, Inc.