Application of microwave heating for methane dry reforming catalyzed by activated carbon

Abstract

The effect of activated carbon as catalyst on methane dry reforming is investigated in this work. Gases conversions in CH4 decomposition, carbon gasification and CH4 dry reforming are also compared. It is compared wood-derived activated carbon exhibits better catalytic effect on methane reforming. The results indicate CH4 conversion in the reforming reaction is higher than that in the decomposition reaction, with a maximum difference of 37.9%. CO2 conversion in the reforming reaction is lower than that in carbon gasification reaction by 18.4%. Various variables are employed to determine the optimum conditions for reforming reaction. The results reveal the enhanced conversions of CH4 and CO2, accompanied by a decreased H2/CO ratio can be achieved through increasing microwave power, reducing CH4/CO2 ratio or decreasing gas flow rate. Furthermore, migration amount of carbon is calculated. It is obtained carbon migration rate reduces with the increase of microwave power or decrease of CH4/CO2 ratio. At last, catalytic activity of wood-derived activated carbon is tested. It is noticed the catalyst presents high catalytic activity at the beginning, followed by a sharp loss of catalytic activity after 40 min. This caused the decrease of CH4 and CO2 conversions nearly by 56.6% and 36.6% after the test, respectively.