REFORMING OF PROPANE THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The thermodynamic analysis of propane steam reforming (SRP) with and without H2 or CO2 removal, dry reforming (DRP) and oxidative steam reforming (OSRP) has been performed to identify suitable reforming process and favourable operating conditions for producing (i) high Yield of H2 (close to 10) with low content of CO, CH4 and carbon, (ii) syngas with H2/CO ratio in the range 1-3. The results indicates that SRP with H2 removal is most efficient reforming process to produce high H2 yield of 9.93 moles with very low content CO, CH4 and carbon at relatively low temperature of 750K, WPR=12, P=1atm, 99% H2 removal and complete conversion of propane. Dry reforming is not suitable for high yield of H2 because it produce maximum 4 mole of H2 per mole of propane. OSRP can produce H2 comparable to SRP only at high temperature, high WPR and low OPR. Molar H2/CO ratio in syngas in the range of 1:3 are found at T≥1000K, WPR≤6 in SRP, at T≥900K, f≥0.4 in SRP with H2 removal, and at T≥1000K, WPR≤6, OPR≥0.2 in OSRP. OSRP can produce high amount of syngas at this condition. SRP with fractional removal of H2 can produce the syngas in the desired ratio at the above mentioned condition but at the expense of amount of syngas. Molar H2/CO ratio in syngas in the range of 1:3 by dry reforming of propane could be produced at many different combination of temperature and CPR.