The dry reforming of methane is a process that produces syngas (a mixture of CO and H2) through the high-temperature reaction of methane with CO2 in the presence of catalysts via the reaction
CH4 + CO2 →2CO + 2H2.
This process has not yet reached commercialization due to catalyst damage from carbon formation.
Our research, in collaboration with the Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick, aims at understanding how carbon forms on the catalyst and how to avoid it while maintaining good performance, and developing stable and cheap catalysts for this process.
We are currently investigating three kinds of catalysts:
Systematically optimized conventional catalysts
Supported interstitial alloy catalysts
Liquid phase sulfur passivated catalysts
In addition, we model the reactive system to predict optimal, time-dependent operating conditions.
Figure 1: Carbon fiber growth on the surface of a catalyst particle
Figure 2: High temperature gas phase catalysis test rig with on-line analysis
Researchers involved
Dr Mohammad Ahmad (AUB)
Dr Joseph Zeaiter (AUB)
Dr James J. Leahy (University of Limerick)
Dr Witold Kwapinski (University of Limerick)
Eng. Nicolas Abdel Karim Aramouni (AUB)
Eng. Ghadeer Khansa (AUB)
Relevant publications from the lab
Azzam, M., et al., Dynamic optimization of dry reformer under catalyst sintering using neural networks. Energy Conversion and Management, 2018. 157: p. 146-156.
Abdel Karim Aramouni, N., et al., Catalyst design for dry reforming of methane: Analysis review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018. 82: p. 2570-2585.
Abdel Karim Aramouni, N., et al., Thermodynamic analysis of methane dry reforming: Effect of the catalyst particle size on carbon formation. Energy Conversion and Management, 2017. 150: p. 614-622.
Contact:
Mohammad Ahmad