Catalytic combustion of VOC in a counter-diffusive reactor

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the performance of a counter-diffusive radiant heater used for the combustion of methane and BTEX compounds. The effect of natural gas feed rate on its fractional conversion was studied and it was found that as the feed rate increases the conversion drops, owing to a lack of oxygen for combustion. The effect of oxygen deficiency was confirmed by increasing the air circulation rate in front of the catalyst pad using a fan. The effect of oxygen limitation was also verified by addition of increasing concentrations of pentane to the reactor that led to reduced methane conversion. Suitability of counter-diffusive radiant heater for treatment of natural gas dehydration process effluent was investigated by addition of water, pentane and toluene to the natural gas used as reactor feed. It was found that presence of water does not have a significant negative impact on catalyst activity when added as a vapour, and when other hydrocarbons are present in the feed stream, complete hydrocarbon conversion can be achieved by satisfying the oxygen demand.