Catalytic autothermal reforming of methane: Performance of a kW scale reformer using pure oxygen as oxidant Original Research Article

The autothermal low temperature catalytic partial oxidation of methane was investigated in a bench-scale reactor (1 kWth power) over a structured ruthenium catalyst (metal monolith support). Pure oxygen was used as the oxidant. Autothermal operation of the reactor was successfully demonstrated. The increase of the O/C ratio increased the average reactor temperature resulting in higher methane conversions. Similar results were obtained for the increase of the space velocity. The product gas generated was rich in hydrogen (65%), nitrogen-free and contained comparably low amounts of carbon monoxide (5%). The results revealed that the oxygen-blown reforming at low temperatures could be a well-suited process for the production of hydrogen in conjunction with a carbon dioxide sequestration.