Hydrogen production via natural gas steam reforming in a Pd-Au membrane reactor. Comparison between methane and natural gas steam reforming reactions

The natural gas reforming reaction showed better performance than the steam methane reforming reaction and reached > 80% conversion of the higher hydrocarbons and almost 65% of hydrogen recovery at 450 °C and 300 kPa. High-purity hydrogen was obtained in all the experimental tests. No coke formation was observed. Post-reaction analysis of the membrane is discussed via scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.