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Synthesis gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen typically needed for the production of chemicals such as a methanol, ammonia, or gas‐to‐liquid (GTL) products. The production process for synthesis gas varies depending on the oxidizing agent selected for the reforming of the natural gas. The main reforming processes are steam reforming (SR), partial oxidation (POX), and dry reforming (DR) [20]. The characteristics of these processes are listed in Table 1.3.

Table 1.3 Reforming options and their characteristics.

Source: Adapted from Noureldin et al. 2014 [20].

Reforming option	Oxidizing agent	Conditions	Chemistry	Type
Steam reforming	H2O	Endothermic	CH4 + H2O → CO + 3H2	Catalytic
Partial oxidation	O2	Exothermic		Catalytic/non catalytic
Dry reforming	CO2	Endothermic	CH4 + CO2 → 2CO + 2H2	Catalytic

Although these processes may be used separately, combinations of two or more of the main reforming options have been proposed to enhance the overall performance of the reforming task. One such process is the autothermal reforming (ATR) in which the exothermic nature of the POX reforming is combined with the endothermic SR [21].

In all of these reforming alternatives, energy and water usage and generation are key points to consider when selecting the appropriate technology. Studies regarding heat and mass integration potential for the SR, POX, and ATR options can be consulted in the work of Martínez et al. [21] and Gabriel et al. [22].