Process to conduct an endothermic steam reforming reaction in a fluidized bed reactor

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a process to perform an endothermic steam reforming of hydrocarbons, said process comprising the steps of providing a fluidized bed reactor comprising at least two electrodes and a bed comprising particles, wherein the particles are put in a fluidized state to obtain a fluidized bed; heating the fluidized bed to a temperature ranging from 500° C. to 1200° C. by passing an electric current through the fluidized bed to conduct the endothermic reaction. The process is remarkable in that the particles of the bed comprise electrically conductive particles and particles of a catalytic composition, wherein at least 10 wt. % of the particles are electrically conductive particles and have a resistivity ranging from 0.001 to 500 Ohm·cm at 800° C. and in that the step of heating the fluidized bed is performed by passing an electric current through the fluidized bed.