Dry reforming of HCs (methane, ethane, and propane) over a 40Ni0.75(Ce1-xFex)0.25/Al2O3 catalyst: a comparative study

Reports of dry reforming of methane, ethane, and propane to synthesis gas using the same catalyst are very limited in the open literature. The present study is basically a comparative analysis of methane, ethane and propane for dry reforming reaction considering the catalyst 40Ni(0.75)(Ce0.75Fe0.25)(0.25)/Al2O3 and under similar operating conditions. A series of catalysts denoted as 40Ni(0.75)(Ce1-xFex)(0.25)/Al2O3 (where x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) were synthesized via the sol-gel method, and their catalytic efficacy was assessed for the dry reforming of aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, and propane). Comprehensive catalyst characterization resulted through the BET, XRD, H-2-TPR, CO2-TPD, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, and FE-SEM analyses. The study revealed that the Ni-Ce species were effectively dispersed over the alumina support. The robust interactions between the nickel and the support significantly enhanced the nickel dispersion and stability. In addition to syngas, the formation of CNTs was also witnessed on the used catalyst's surface, a finding substantiated through FE-SEM and Raman spectral analysis. In the dry reforming of methane (DRM), CO2 exhibited superior conversion compared to methane, whereas in the dry reforming of ethane (DRE) and propane (DRP), the conversion of ethane and propane, respectively, was predominant. The incorporation of a minimal iron fraction into the catalyst exhibited pronounced enhancements in catalytic performance, with the catalyst containing ceria-iron (x = 0.25) manifesting the highest product yield and conversion percentages (HC and CO2).