IRON CATALYZED STEAM GASIFICATION OF YALLOURN CHAR.

Catalysis of iron for steam gasification of Yallourn char in a hydrogen atmosphere was studied for the purpose of producing methane. Iron exhibited catalytic activity for steam gasification at its very low concentration, though initial low reactivity was observed for about 200 minutes. The main reaction product was carbon monoxide in spite of the hydrogen rich atmosphere. The mixing of a supported nickel catalyst with iron loaded char remarkably increased the gasification rate as well as methane selectivity. The rate of reaction of iron loaded char with the nickel catalyst at 700 degree C was almost the same or higher than the rate at 800 degree C without the nickel catalyst. It was supposed that the chemisorbed hydrogen atoms on the nickel catalyst enhanced the catalytic activity of the iron.