Synthesis gas production from natural gas in a fixed bed reactor with reversed flow

The feasibility of producing synthesis gas by partial oxidation of natural gas on a Ni-catalyst in a fixed bed reactor with reversed flow was investigated by means of simulation. A one dimensional reactor model of the non-steady state heterogeneous type, accounting for internal diffusional limitations, was applied. A double temperature peak is observed just after flow reversal, influencing the selectivities at the exit through enhanced steam reforming reactions. The second peak gradually decreases in importance with time during the semi-cycle. The influence of several operating conditions on the reactor performance was studied. Most of the coke deposited in a semi-cycle can be removed after flow reversal. This observation opens new perspectives for the reversed flow operation.