Dual reforming of model biogas for syngas production on Ni/γ-Al2O3 and Ni-C/ZSM-5 cordierite monolith catalysts

Abstract

This work attempts to convert the model biogas on Ni/γ-Al2O3 and Ni-C/ZSM-5 into syngas using a dual-bed catalytic monolith reactor. The monolith is wash-coated with alumina and ZSM-5, respectively, followed by Ni and glucose-assisted Ni (Ni-C) loading using the wet impregnation technique. These two monoliths are loaded in an Inconel reactor and placed in a two-zone heating furnace. In dual reforming, either Ni/γ-Al2O3 or Ni-C/ZSM-5 monolith is used for dry reforming, and then Ni/γ-Al2O3 is used for steam reforming. A distance of ∼ 10 cm is maintained between these two monoliths. The exhaust gases from the first monolith are combined with steam before passing to the second monolith. The biogas reforming is carried out for a feed ratio (CH4:CO2) 1.5, GHSV of 1440 h−1 and 2880 h−1, at 800℃ and 1 atm pressure. The steam to CH4 ratio (S/C) is optimized to maximize the conversions (greater than80 %) of both CH4 and CO2. It was observed that the CH4 conversions increase with an increased S/C ratio due to the steam reforming in the second monolith. The TGA results show 7.6 % carbon formation on Ni-C/ZSM-5 and 35 % on Ni/γ-Al2O3 in dry reforming on the first monolith bed.