Small-scale testing of a precious metal catalyst in the autothermal reforming of various hydrocarbon feeds

The autothermal reforming of various hydrocarbon feeds with boiling ranges between 190 and 325 °C was examined on a precious metal catalyst in a small-scale tubular reactor to assess the feasibility of hydrogen production from diesel fuel. The experiments were performed at n(O2)/n(C) and n(H2O)/n(C) ratios between 0.34–0.47 and 1.50–2.20, respectively. The space velocities (GHSV) amounted to between 13,000 and 18,000 h−1. The hydrocarbon conversion, the composition of the product gas and the stability of the catalyst were determined as a function of the operating variables and the composition of the feed. The hydrocarbon conversion and catalyst bed temperatures increased with increasing n(O2)/n(C) ratio. The n(H2O)/n(C) ratio showed a smaller effect on the hydrocarbon conversion than the n(O2)/n(C) ratio. The composition of the product gas at conversions above 95% corresponded closely to the thermodynamic equilibrium. No decrease of conversion was observed for times on stream of approximately 20 h. The addition of 1-benzothiophene to a hydrocarbon feed yielding sulfur contents of 11 and 30 wt.ppm caused a decrease in the hydrocarbon conversion by deactivation of the catalyst.