Mark Stuckey, UNICAT Catalyst Technologies LLC, discusses the emergence of next-generation spherical catalysts and their impact on yield increases and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in tubular reformers.
The next generation of catalyst required a step change in carrier manufacturing processes. It is generally known that spherical shapes pack better in tubes than alternate cylindrical types, however it has been difficult to manufacture spheres in volume, so all conventional carriers have been non-spherical.
However, 12 years ago, UNICAT, knowing the packing benefits, introduced the first spherical catalyst into a tubular steam reformer.
