Steam reforming

The steam reforming ( in technical parlance as steam reforming, English steam reforming ) is a process for the production of synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen from carbon-containing fuels such as natural gas, light gasoline, methanol, biogas or biomass ( see also hydrogen production ).

Reactions

The steam reforming is an allothermic process running according to the following equation:

To increase the yield of hydrogen, the resulting carbon monoxide in a further reaction, the water gas shift reaction, to form carbon dioxide and additional hydrogen.

For carrying hot steam to the reformed gas (for example natural gas ) or to vaporised liquid is mixed ( such as benzene ), and reacted under the constant supply of energy over a heterogeneous catalyst in the gas phase.

Solids

Since complex solids such as wood, sewage sludge or municipal waste can not be evaporated, they must be reformed under different conditions. The reforming is carried out by means of supercritical water over a heterogeneous catalyst at 250-300 bar, 400-550 ° C and a large excess of water. The formation of air pollutants such as in waste incineration plays under these extreme conditions virtually no role.

Methanol reformer

• Methanol reformer