Oxidative reforming of propane with oxygen permeating membrane reactor using Pr2Ni0.75Cu0.25Ga0.05O4 perovskite related mixed conductor

Reforming of propane for the production of syngas can improve the utilisation of petroleum products in chemical and energy processes as it is a major constituent in refinery gas. The search for catalytic and selective membranes for the efficient conversion of natural gas with carbon higher than methane is very attractive and remains challenging. Since Pr2Ni0.75Cu0.25Ga0.05O4 possesses high mixed conductivity and oxygen permeation properties, it is extensively investigated for potential application for oxygen membrane reforming of propane in this study. The membrane is coated with La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 and Ni catalysts to achieve surface activity for oxygen dissociation and propane oxidation, respectively. The propane reforming efficiency of the membrane specimens with a 0.3 mm thickness are studied as a function of temperature (800-1000 °C), using N2:C3H8:O2 reactant gases with three mixing ratios of 90:7:3, 80:14:6 and 70:20:9 at flow rate of 50-375 ml/min. Over 99% of propane conversion is achieved at every gas flow rate tested. The reaction products are H2, H2O, CO, CO2, CH4, C2H6, C2H4, C3H6, C4 +, and coke with the highest yield of CO and H2 (37 and 29%, respectively), are obtained at 900 °C using the gas flow rate between 225 and 275 ml/min. The oxygen permeation rate observed at this condition is in the range of 1600-1900 μmol/cm2/min. These results suggest that the utilisation of Pr2Ni0.75Cu0.25Ga0.05O4 is promising as an oxygen membrane in the reforming of propane to syngas.