Steam Gasification of Benzene Catalyzed by MgO Doped with Alkaline Earth and Alkali Compounds.

The benzene-steam reaction on MgO doped with Ca, Sr, Ba, and K was investigated at 1,173K and at atmospheric pressure to understand the action of steam as gasifying reagent in hydrocarbon gasification. The results were discussed by comparing with those of the benzene-CO₂reaction. The benzene-steam reaction was proposed to proceed via the decomposition of benzene to give an intermediate carbon and subsequent gasification of the carbon. The steam adsorbed on the catalyst was found to hinder the decomposition of benzene to give the intermediate. Catalytic activity for the benzene-steam reaction could be interpreted mainly by a combination of catalytic activity for gasification of deposited carbon and the degree of hindrance to the decomposition of benzene by adsorbed steam. The mobility of catalytic species in the layers of the deposited carbon was found to be an important factor governing the rate of gasification of the deposited carbon.