Non-Catalytic Steam Reforming of C 1 –C 4 Hydrocarbons

The paper reports the results of a kinetic modeling and thermodynamic analysis of non-catalytic steam reforming (NCSR) of methane and C 2 –C 4 hydrocarbons at 1400–1800 K. The hydrocarbon-to-syngas conversion sequence and the time periods of the major process steps were identified. The initial step consists of hydrocarbon pyrolysis to acetylene and H 2 with essentially no involvement of H 2 O. Noticeable H 2 O conversion starts at a significantly later point than thermal hydrocarbon conversion, under the effects of radicals formed from the pyrolysis. The H 2 O conversion results in the generation of OH ● radicals, which subsequently react with acetylene to form CO and H 2 . The key step in the NCSR of C 1 –C 4 hydrocarbons, as well as in their high-temperature interaction with CO 2 (carbon-dioxide conversion) is conversion of the acetylene formed from the hydrocarbon pyrolysis. The study findings are important for the optimization of high-temperature syngas production via partial oxidation of hydrocarbons.