Review on Innovative Catalytic Reforming of Natural Gas to Syngas

Decreasing supplies of high quality crude oil and increasing demand for high quality distillates have motivated the interest in converting natural gas to liquid fuels, especially with the present boom in natural gas proven reserves. Nevertheless, one major issue is the curtailment of costs incurred in producing synthesis gas from natural gas, which account for approximately 60% of the costs used in producing liquid fuels. While there are three main routes to convert natural gas to syngas: steam reforming (SMR), partial Oxidation (POX) and auto-thermal reforming (ATR). Significant new developments and improvements in these technologies, established innovative processes to minimize greenhouse gases emission, minimize energy consumption, enhance syngas processes, adjust the desired H2/CO ratio and change the baseline economics. This article reviews the state of the art for the reforming of natural gas to synthesis gas taking into consideration all the new innovations in both processes and catalysis.