Steam reforming of methane to synthetic gas on Ni0.03Mg0.97O solid solution catalyst

The objective of this research was to study the kinetics of methane steam reforming on Ni₀.₀₃Mg₀.₉₇O solid solution catalyst in fixed bed cylindrical reactor. The spherical catalyst of 22 m²/g specific area and 589.64 kg/m³ density were packed in cylindrical reactor of 3 cm. diameter and 66 cm. long. The effect of temperature, H₂O/CH₄ ratio, methane feed rate, stream feed rate and catalyst weight on methane conversion and reaction rate was investigated. The rate equation of steam reforming in case of excess steam was expressed in first order of methane. Non-excess steam showed the rate equation of reaction, which was expressed in order of 1 for methane and 0.5 for steam. The methane steam reforming was first order of methane explained by Langmuir-Hinshelwood model and the chemical reaction was controlling step of reaction rate. Comparison of the experimental data with thermodynamics equilibrium was consistent. The thermodynamics model of reaction could be proposed in methane steam reforming and water - gas shift reactions.