Kinetics of low-temperature steam reforming of propane in a methane excess on a Ni-based catalyst

Systematic studies were performed on low-temperature steam conversion or low-temperature steam reforming (LTSR) of propane in an excess of methane on a Ni-based catalyst. The LTSR of the methane–propane mixture is a two-stage process involving the irreversible steam conversion of propane into carbon dioxide and hydrogen and reversible methanation of carbon dioxide. Above ~250°C, the methanation of carbon dioxide is quasi-equilibrium. The rate of propane conversion during the LTSR of the methane–propane mixture is first-order based on propane; its activation energy is ~120 kJ/mol and is almost independent of the methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and steam concentrations. This very simple macrokinetic scheme allows us to correctly describe the experimental data and predict the temperature and flow rate of the mixture at which complete conversion of propane is achieved.