Influence of Reaction Conditions on the Conversion of Methane‐Rich Gases to Fischer‐Tropsch Products

Evidence is provided that stable operation of a microstructured reactor for steam‐assisted catalytic partial oxidation (sCPOX) and its subsequent coupling with a Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reactor is possible at pressures up to 25 bar. The product composition of the sCPOX was determined and subsequently used as feed composition for a downstream FTS reactor to prove the possibility of coupling with syngas generation. After stable operation was proven in both setups, they were coupled and operated together, feeding the product gas stream of the sCPOX to the FTS. In addition, the negative influence of sulfur in the sCPOX‐gas feed was evaluated. An effective combination of steam‐assisted catalytic partial oxidation and Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis, both employed in microstructured reactors, is tested and discussed. Evidence is provided that the integration of the two reaction steps can be achieved at system pressures of up to 25 bar. The influences of process conditions and sulfur impurities on conversions and yields are investigated.