Conventional steam reforming of methane to synthesis gas (CO and H2) has a conversion efficiency of about 85%. Replacement of metal tubes in the reformer with ceramic tubes offers the potential for operation at temperatures high enough to increase the eftlciency to 98 to 99%. However, the two candidate ceramic materials being given strongest consideration, sintered alpha silicon carbide and silicon carbide particulate-strengthened alumina, have been shown to react with components of the reformer environment. The extent of degradation as a function of steam partial pressure and exposure time has been studied, and the results suggest limits under which these structural ceramics can be used in advanced steam-methane reformers.
Keywords: silicon carbide, silicon carbide particulate-strengthened alumina, steam-methane reformer, corrosion, oxidation, steam corrosion