Experimental study of the application of a NiO/NiAl2O4 catalyst and a CaO-based synthetic sorbent on the Sorption Enhanced Reforming process

The most appropriate temperature for SER test is 650 °C. At 600 °C the catalyst seems to be not sufficiently active, while at 700 °C, a longer breakthrough period results. SER equilibrium is reached even at the lowest S/C ratio of 1.6, obtaining H2 purity of 82 vol.% (dry basis). For the SER based plant simulation developed, the low S/C ratio of 1.6 allows a self-sustained plant where the energy required in the calciner for CaCO3 decomposition is supplied by burning the off-gas from the H2 purification unit.