Generation of heat in a single catalyst pellet placed in an electromagnetic field for endothermic reforming of hydrocarbons

Abstract

Commercial catalysts promoting endothermic reactions are conventionally heated by suspending packed-bed reactors in gas- or oil-fired furnaces. Alternative electrical methods of heating described in this paper may in some cases be desirable to avoid carbon formation. A new technique in which single catalyst pellets are maintained at operating temperatures using electromagnetic energy transfer is described. A model for the mechanism of heat transfer to the catalyst via predominantly magnetic absorption of energy at low temperatures followed by increased dielectric dissipation at higher temperatures provides an adequate account of all qualitative observations.