Alternative catalyst bed configurations for the autothermic conversion of methane to hydrogen

The autothermal conversion of methane to hydrogen has been studied as a function of the configurations of an oxidation and a steam reforming catalyst. It was necessary to pre-heat the bed to ca. 590 K when methane oxidation was initiated over a supported platinum catalyst: the heat and steam produced by oxidation facilitated steam reforming of methane over a supported nickel catalyst. A two bed system was found to be inferior in performance to one bed containing two mixed catalysts. Optimal performance (60%-65% conversion of methane with 80%-85% selectivity to hydrogen) was obtained when both catalysts were located on the same support. Improved heat transfer is responsible for the better performance.