Energy efficient methane tri-reforming for synthesis gas production over highly coke resistant nanocrystalline Ni–ZrO2 catalyst

Energy efficient methane tri-reforming for synthesis gas production over highly coke resistant nanocrystalline Ni–ZrO2 catalyst

Type	Journal Article
Author	Rajib Kumar Singha
Author	Astha Shukla
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261916308182
Volume	178
Pages	110-125
Publication	Applied Energy
Date	September 15, 2016
Abstract	Describes the synthesis of nanocrystalline Ni–ZrO2 catalyst for tri-reforming of methane (5CH4 + O2 + CO2 + 2H2O → 6CO + 12H2) to produce synthesis gas with H2/CO mole ratio ∼2. Researchers fabricated nanocrystalline Ni–ZrO2 catalyst of size between 10 and 40 nm using the hydrothermal method employing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant. Such reaction parameters as temperature, Ni-loading, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) and time on stream (TOS) were examined in detail. 4.8 wt% Ni loading for Ni–ZrO2 catalyst was found to be the optimum Ni loading which showed the superior catalytic activity for methane tri-reforming. The catalyst was found to be stable for more than 100 h on time on stream with methane, carbon dioxide and steam conversion of ∼95% at 800 °C. Highly dispersed nickel and the presence of strong metal support interaction were found to be the key factor for the superior activity of the catalyst. The effect of O2 and H2O concentration on reactant conversions and H2/CO ratios were also studied in detail.