Syngas Production from Catalytic CO2 Reforming of CH4 over CaFe2O4 Supported Ni and Co Catalysts: Full Factorial Design Screening

In this study, the potential of dry reforming reaction over CaFe2O4 supported Ni and Co catalysts were investigated. The Co/CaFe2O4 and Ni/CaFe2O4 catalysts were synthesized using wet impregnation method by varying the metal loading from 5-15 %. The synthesized catalysts were tested in methane dry reforming reaction at atmospheric pressure and reaction temperature ranged 700-800 degrees C. The catalytic performance of the catalysts based on the initial screening is ranked as 5% Co/CaFe2O4 < 10% Co/CaFe2O4 < 5% Ni/CaFe2O4 < 10% Ni/CaFe2O4 according to their performance. The Ni/CaFe2O4 catalyst was selected for further investigation using full factorial design of experiment. The interaction effects of three factors namely metal loading (5-15 %), feed ratio (0.4-1.0), and reaction temperature (700-800 degrees C) were evaluated on the catalytic activity in terms of CH4 and CO2 conversion as well as H-2 and CO yield. The interaction between the factors showed significant effects on the catalyst performance at metal loading, feed ratio and reaction temperature of 15 %, 1.0, and 800 degrees C. respectively. The 15 wt% Ni/CaFe2O4 was subsequently characterized by Thermogravimetric (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), N-2-physisorption, Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD)-NH3, TPD-CO2, and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) to ascertain its physiochemical properties. This study demonstrated that the CaFe2O4 supported Ni catalyst has a good potential to be used for syngas production via methane dry reforming. Copyright (c) 2018 BCREC Group. All rights reserved