Abstract: The present work aims at studying low-temperature steam reforming (SR) of model mixtures of flare gases (FG) containing C2H6-C4H10 in excess of methane over highly dispersed Rh-based catalyst. A series of Rh/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 catalysts were prepared by sorption-hydrolytic deposition. Their properties were investigated in SR of model FG mixtures at temperatures of 250-350 °C. The catalysts were active and stable and provided complete conversion of С2+-hydrocarbons into СН4, СО2 and Н2 at Т = 320-350 °С and Н2О:С molar ratio ≥ 0.33. In addition, the conversion of propane and heavier alkanes over Rh/Ce0.25Zr0.75O2 catalysts in the low temperature range (200 – 300 °C) increases the concentration of ethane in the reaction mixture, which is not observed in the presence of other catalysts for steam reforming of hydrocarbons. Apparently, ethane is an intermediate reaction product. Ethane has a higher heating value than methane and can compensate the negative effect of the dilution by generated carbon dioxide on the characteristics of the fuel mixture. This unique property of Rh catalysts makes it possible to obtain gaseous mixtures containing a certain amount of ethane in steam reforming reactions, which in turn is useful for varying the thermal properties (heat of combustion, Wobbe index, methane index) of the resulting fuel mixtures.

Cite: Urlukov A.S. , Potemkin D.I. , Uskov S.I. , Snytnikov P.V.
Low-Temperature Steam Reforming of Flare Gas Hydrocarbons over Rh/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2
9th Global Conference on Global Warming 01-04 Aug 2021