Autothermal steam reforming of higher hydrocarbons: n-Decane, n-hexadecane, and JP-8 Original Research Article

Steam addition to the catalytic partial oxidation of n-decane and n-hexadecane with air over Rh-coated monoliths at millisecond contact times produces considerably higher H2 and CO2 and lower olefin and CO selectivities than without steam addition. For steam to carbon feed ratios from 0.0 to 4.0, the reactor operated autothermally, and the H2 to CO product ratio increased from ∼1.0 to ∼4.0, which is essentially the equilibrium product composition near synthesis gas stoichiometry (C/O ∼1) at contact times of ∼7 ms. In fuel-rich feeds exceeding the synthesis gas ratio (C/O > 1), steam addition suppressed olefins and promoted synthesis gas and water–gas shift products. Steam addition also reduced catalyst surface carbon. Furthermore, steam addition to the catalytic partial oxidation of the military fuel JP-8 was performed successfully, also increasing H2 and suppressing olefins.