Thermo Neutral Reforming (TNR) - Saudi Aramco and KFUPM's proprietary catalyst system for hydrogen rich gas production from petroleum based fuels

The TNR process for producing hydrogen-rich gas from liquid petroleum-based fuels was presented. It involves reaction of fuel, steam, and air in presence of the TNR catalyst under low-pressure and moderate temperature. Two families of the TNR catalysts were developed in small scale batches using a high temperature muffle furnace and the wet incipient impregnation method. Results of several parametric tests with various liquid hydrocarbon fuels under high gaseous hourly space velocities indicated hydrogen yield approaching thermodynamic equilibrium. Thermal cycling, long-term catalyst stability and pilot plant results verified good catalyst performance with heavy naphtha. Although, heavier fuels, such as kerosene and diesel, achieved lower performance with TNR catalysts due to the high levels of aromatics present in these fuels and were the subject of further development.