Catalytic steam reforming of n-butane at high pressure

Abstract

A study has been made of the reaction of n-butane with steam at a total pressure of 30 atm in the temperature range 425–475°C over a co-precipitated nickel-alumina catalyst. The main object was to elucidate the primary and secondary reactions of the process. The reaction products, viz., methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water, were at equilibrium at all conversions of the butane. The order of reaction was zero with respect to butane and approximtely first with respect to water. The rate-determining step involved the initial reaction of the butane with steam.