Syngas production via the biogas dry reforming reaction over nickel supported on modified with CeO2 and/or La2O3 alumina catalysts

Abstract

In this study, an investigation of the effects of the modification of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) with various dopants, namely CeO2 and/or La2O3 for Ni based catalysts (Ni/CeAl, Ni/LaAl and Ni/CeLaAl) synthesized via the wet impregnation method at a constant nickel loading (8 wt. %), was performed for the biogas dry reforming reaction. The final catalysts, at their calcined or/and reduced form, were characterized by various techniques, such as XRD, SEM, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. The chemical composition of the catalysts was determined by ICP. Used catalysts were characterized by SEM and RAMAN, in order to establish whether carbon was deposited and its nature. A theoretical model has also been developed, with the aim of assessing the experimental behavior of the fixed bed reactor and the catalysts tested herein. Catalytic performance of all catalysts concerning the biogas dry reforming reaction was studied in order to investigate the effect of the reaction temperature on methane (XCH4) and carbon dioxide (XCO2) conversion, hydrogen (YH2) and carbon monoxide (YCO) yield, and H2/CO molar ratio of the produced gas mixture at the outlet of the reactor. The results indicate that modification of Ni/Al catalysts with CeO2 and/or La2O3 significantly enhances catalytic performance, with catalysts containing lanthanum (i.e., Ni/LaAl and Ni/CeLaAl) performing better than the sample containing only ceria (Ni/CeAl).