Steam methane reforming in a Ni/Al2O3 Catalyst: Kinetics and diffusional limitations in extrudates

The true kinetics of methane steam reforming was measured in powder of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst ("Octolyst 1001" from Degussa) at different temperatures (733-890 K) for several operating conditions. Newreaction rate constants were determined for this catalyst. The observed reaction rate was measured on catalyst extrudates to determine diffusion effects within the porous structure of the particle. A non-isothermal model with diffusion was used to determine effectiveness factors for each reaction. The objective was to measure all necessary data to model the performance of the catalyst in a Sorption Enhanced Reaction Process (SERP) for H2 production with in situ CO2 capture. © 2009 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering.