Catalytic conversion of methane to synthesis gas by partial oxidation and CO2 reforming

The preparation of synthesis gas from natural gas. which is the most important step in the,gas-to-liquid transformation. has attracted increasing attention in the last decade. Swam reforming. partial oxidation, and CO2 reforming are the three major processes that cm be, employed to prepare synthesis g-as. Because steam reforming was reviewed recently in this series [Adv. Catal. 47 (2002) 65], this chapter deals only with the latter two processes. The history of the development of methane conversion to synthesis gas is summarized as an introduction to the partial oxidation of methane, which is reviewed with emphasis on hot spots in reactors, major developments in the reduction of O-2 separation costs, and reaction mechanisms. The various catalysts employed in CO2 reforming are examined, with emphasis on inhibition of carbon deposition. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc.