Abstract

Catalytic Reforming of all Hydrocarbons in Natural Gas with Carbon Dioxide to Produce Synthesis Gas over Rhodium-Alumina Catalyst

Author(s): A. Y. El-Naggar, S. A. Ghoneim, R. A. El-Salamony, S. A. El-Tamtamy and A. K. El-Morsi

Reforming of natural gas with carbon dioxide to produce synthesis gas (H2 + CO) has been investigated over rhodium (0.5 wt. %) supported on γ- alumina catalyst. The detection of both major and minor components in the natural gas before and after reforming, in addition to the produced synthesis gas, requires a high sensitive gas chromatograph. This research aims to study the effect of the space velocity and temperature on the conversion of carbon dioxide and all the components of the natural gas. The space velocity 18000 mL g-1 h-1 and the temperature 800oC are the optimum operating conditions giving the highest conversion of both the natural gas and carbon dioxide, but the space velocity 36000 mL g-1 h-1 and the temperature at 700oC are the preferred conditions for production of the synthesis gas (H2 + CO).