Propane pre-reforming into methane-rich gas over ni catalyst: Experiment and kinetics elucidation via genetic algorithm

Pre-reforming of propane was studied over an industrial nickel-chromium catalyst under pressures of 1 and 5 bar, at a low steam to carbon molar ratio of 1, in the temperature range of 220-380 ffiC and at flow rates of 4000 and 12,000 h-1. It was shown that propane conversion proceeded more efficiently at low pressure (1 atm) and temperatures above 350 °C. A genetic algorithm was applied to search for kinetic parameters better fitting experimental results in such a wide range of experimental conditions. Power law and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics were considered. It was shown that only Langmuir-Hinshelwood type kinetics correctly described the experimental data and could be used to simulate the process of propane pre-reforming and predict propane conversion under the given reaction conditions. The significance of Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics increases under high pressure and temperatures below 350 °C.