Noncatalytic filtration combustion reactor for the conversion of methane into synthesis gas

Principle investigators:

1. Igor Aleksandrovich Yakovlev, Ph.D., Senior Researcher (yakovlev-i-a@yandex.ru)

2. Sergey Dorzhievich Zambalov, Ph.D., Senior Researcher (zambalovsd@gmail.com)

A prototype of a noncatalytic reactor for the conversion of methane-containing gases into synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) has been developed at the TSC SB RAS. The reactor works on the principle of filtration combustion with heat recuperation, when thermal energy released during the reaction goes heats initial components, making it possible to efficiently burn superrich mixtures in the autothermal mode.

The absence of catalysts allows this technology to be used in cases where maintenance, replacement and control of catalyst systems is impossible or difficult. At the same time, the process is resistant to local variations in composition and flow rate of gas. In addition, external heating is not required, and air is used as an oxidizer (no steam or oxygen supply required).

The reactor is equipped with a system of gas purification and preparation, a system of quenching (fast cooling) of reaction products and their drying. The reactor is automatically controlled and the operating parameters are monitored.

The application of this reactor is mainly related to mobile GTL and BTL technologies (gas-to-liquid, biogas-to-liquid), as well as to the systems of utilization of associated petroleum gas and other gaseous industrial waste.