Dry reforming of biogas in a pilot unit: Scale-up of catalyst synthesis and green hydrogen production

Abstract

A pilot experimental unit was constructed to produce synthesis gas from the dry reforming (DR) of biogas, and its operation was monitored during reaction assays. A scale-up was performed on synthesizing a Ni granulated catalyst, supported on mesoporous silica. The catalyst activity was evaluated under processes of induced deactivation, followed by regeneration during a 90-h reaction. The reaction variables studied included the volumetric composition of the inlet gas flow to the reactor (40–70%CH4 and 60-30%CO2), metal content (5–20% by mass), and inlet gas flow rate (684–2844 L h−1). The catalyst with the metal content of 20% provided the best conversions (99%CH4 and 97%CO2). The experimental pilot unit is capable of producing 575 L h−1 of green H2 from biogas. The regeneration step effectively eliminated coke from the catalyst surface, resulting in the recovery of catalytic performance.