Forced periodic operation of propane steam reforming with CO2 as carbon gasifying agent

  • Mr Feraih Alenazey, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Mr Chirag Dave, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Mr Cyrus Cooper, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Mr Faisal Althenayan, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Prof Said Elnashaie, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Prof Alfred Susu, University of Lagos, Nigeria
  • Prof Adesoji Adesina, The University of New South Wales, Australia

    • Carbon deposition during hydrocarbon steam reforming is often a major cause of pathological reactor performance and catalyst deactivation. In this paper, we report the effect of composition modulation between propane reforming feed and a carbon gasifying agent (CO2) as a novel reactor strategy to both improve product yield (H2/CO ratio) and catalyst longevity. Experiments were carried out over Co-Ni/ Al2O3 catalyst in a fluidized bed reactor. Cycle period was varied between 5-40 mins at different cycle splits (0.3-0.9) using electrically actuated solenoid valves. H2 formation rates higher than that attainable under steady-state operation were observed at low cycle split (0.3 to 0.5) at all periods investigated while CO production ratio was improved within increased cycle split. This method of reaction operation presents a new and strategic way to produce CO-free H2 from hydrocarbon reforming and may be implemented for advanced fuel cell designs.