Development and validation of a Ni-based catalyst for carbon dioxide dry reforming of methane process coupled to solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract Recent studies propose dry reforming as a potential alternative to steam reforming. A number of advantages come mainly from the substitution of steam with CO 2 , representing a potential strategy for CO 2 and waste heat reuse in both carbon-intensive industry (e.g. steel) and power generation applications (e.g. dry reforming coupling to solid oxide fuel cells). The objective of this study is the development, by means of an ultrasound assisted synthesis technique, of a novel 15%Ni -6%ZrO 2 –3%CaO -Al 2 O 3 catalyst with high surface area and metal dispersion, to achieve high values of methane conversion and stable performance, obtained by significantly limiting carbon deposition at temperature in the range 700–750 °C. In this range, compatible with the dry reformer-SOFC thermal integration, conventional catalysts seriously suffer from coking tolerance issues. The catalyst exhibited very promising results with high methane conversion rates of 93% at 750 °C and 1.25 CO 2 /CH 4 ratio at the reactor inlet (dilution: in SiC 4:1 in volume), stable over 450 h of operation, with no significant changes in outlet gas composition and relevant modifications on material structure as revealed by SEM/EDX, XRD and Raman, analysis.