Nonpremixed Catalytic Combustion of Methane in a Fluidized Bed Reactor

The catalytic combustion of methane has been investigated in a 0.10 m bubbling fluidized bed reactor with nonpremixed feedings of reactants. Copper dispersed on porous (gamma)-Al2O3 spheres (1 mm diameter) characterized by high mechanical strength has been used as catalyst. The effect of design variables such as methane inlet concentration, bed temperature, and superficial gas velocity on methane conversion has been quantified in the ranges 4-10 vol %, 650-750 °C, and 0.40-1.30 m s^-1, respectively. The propensity to attrition of the catalyst has been separately investigated under the experimental conditions tested. Results have been interpreted in the light of a simple reactor model which assumes a plug-flow pattern for the gas through the bed and mth-order catalytic kinetics with respect to fuel concentration.