A novel cyclic process for synthesis gas production

This paper reports a novel cyclic partial oxidation process for the production of synthesis gas with the in situ separation of oxygen from air. A perovskite-type oxide, La_0.8Sr_0.2Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_3−δ, is employed in the experimental study of the process as an oxygen retaining material. Air and methane are periodically brought into contact with the oxide packed in a fixed-bed reactor. The oxide, during the air step, exclusively retains oxygen while partial oxidation reaction occurs during the methane step utilizing the retained oxygen. Although combustion and cracking reactions occur in addition to the partial oxidation reaction during the methane step, high methane conversion is achieved and hydrogen and CO are produced with high selectivity.