Carbon-Assisted, Continuous Syngas Production in a Chemical Looping Scheme

In the current energy and environment scenario, it is imperative to develop energy efficient routes for chemical manufacturing that also pave the way for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. This work presents an efficient pathway for continuous syngas production via a chemical looping conversion of the two most potent greenhouse gases-CH4, and CO2. The well-known dry-reforming process of converting CH4, and CO2 to syngas is energy-intensive and suffers from catalyst deactivation. The chemical looping approach, on the other hand, provides avenues for mitigating catalyst deactivation and enabling improved energy efficiency. The key to such process enhancements lies in the intricate structure-function relationships of the catalyst and its correlation to the process variables. We present the reduction and oxidation characteristics of 5 wt.% Ni/Ce1-xZrxO2-based catalysts (x = 0, 0.4, and 0.625). We demonstrate low temperature CH4 activation over Ni-promoted samples as opposed to pure Ce1-xZrxO2. Moreover, our results depict an optimum regeneration of these catalysts when oxidized by CO2, and H2O, which allows for chemical looping operation of steam reforming of methane as well. Process variables were tuned to optimize the CH4 conversion (over 80%), and H-2/CO ratio at 650 & DEG;C. The critical surface reactions-carbon accumulation and gasification, and thermocatalytic CO2 splitting were investigated to elucidate the dynamic nature of the catalyst surface. The impact of this work lies in showcasing the opportunities to design chemical looping reactors for energy efficient syngas production from waste greenhouse gases.

Automated summary

In the context of energy and environment, finding energy efficient routes for chemical manufacturing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial. This study presents a pathway for continuous syngas production through chemical looping conversion of CH4 and CO2. The chemical looping approach mitigates catalyst deactivation and improves energy efficiency. The study explores the structure-function relationships of catalysts and demonstrates the activation of CH4 over Ni-promoted samples. The findings highlight the potential of chemical looping reactors for efficient syngas production from waste greenhouse gases.