An investigation of the catalyzed reaction between methane and steam

An investigation was made of the reaction between methane and steam over a reduced nickel catalyst at one atmosphere pressure to form carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. Data wore obtained from five-series of experimental runs. Each series of runs was made at approximately the same feed composition and reactor temperature but at a different time factor for each run in the series. The time factor was varied by using different amounts of catalyst. Three series of runs were made at 535°C with feed compositions of 19, 32, and 66% steam. The fourth series had a reactor temperature and feed composition of 450°C and 23.5%, and the fifth series 590°C and 37% steam. At 535°C, it was found that the moles of CO2 and H3 formed increase with an increase in the percentage of H20 in the feed gases, while moles of CO decrease. As the reaction temperature was raised at a given feed composition, the moles of H2 and CO formed become greater, while the amount of CO2 produced decreases. Carbon was deposited in all the experimental runs, most of which probably same from the higher hydrocarbons which decomposed. It was found that a higher steam content in the feed gas decreased the amount of carbon deposited per mole of feed gas but the percent of total carbon that decomposed remained practically constant