What is the mechanism of hydrocarbon steam reforming reactions?

After purified by hydrodesulfurization, the raw gas enters into the reformer, mixes with steam according to the water to carbon ratio of 3.2~4.0, and then enters into the reformer tube through the residual heat of the tail gas of the reformer to reach 500±20°C. Under the action of the reforming catalyst, a complex water steam reforming reaction occurs. The general formula of the reaction is as follows:

CnHm+nH2O=nCO+(n+m)/2H2-Q

The hydrocarbon steam reforming reaction carried out in the reformer is very complex, including thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, carbonization, decarbonization, methanation, and other reactions of advanced hydrocarbons, which constitute an extremely complex parallel, sequential reaction system. Due to the complexity of the reaction system, the hydrocarbon reforming catalyst must be multi-functional, not only with excellent activity, stability and mechanical strength, but also with good anti-carbon deposits and reduction and regeneration properties, so that in the case of inactivation caused by carbon deposits and poisoning, it can be regenerated by burning charcoal and make the catalyst restore its activity, thus guaranteeing a longer service life of the catalyst.