Abstract
Catalysis of iron for steam gasification of Yallourn char in hydrogen atmosphere was studied for the purpose of producing methane. Iron exhibited catalytic activity for steam gasification at its very low concentration, though initial low reactivity was observed for about 200 minutes. The main reaction product was carbon monoxide in spite of hydrogen rich atmosphere.
The mixing of a supported nickel catalyst with iron loaded char remarkably increased gasification rate as well as methane selectivity. The rate of reaction of iron loaded char with the nickel catalyst at 700°C was almost the same or higher than the rate at 800°C without nickel catalyst. It was supposed that the chemisorbed hydrogen atoms on nickel catalyst enhanced the catalytic activity of iron.
