Plasma-assisted CO2 reforming of methane over Ni-based catalysts: Promoting role of Ag and Sn secondary metals

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the primary greenhouse gases (GHGs) that drive global climate change. CO2 reforming of CH4 or dry reforming of CH4 (DRM) is used for the simultaneous conversion of CO2 and CH4 into syngas and higher hydrocarbons. In this study, DRM was investigated using AgNi/Al2O3 packing and SnNi/Al2O3 packing in a parallel plate dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. The performance of the DBD reactor was significantly enhanced when applying AgNi/Al2O3 and SnNi/Al2O3 due to the relatively high electrical conductivity of Ag and Sn as well as their anti-coke performances. Using AgNi/Al2O3 consisting of 1.5 wt% Ag and 5 wt% Ni/Al2O3 as the catalyst in the DBD reactor, 19% CH4 conversion, 21% CO2 conversion, 60% H2 selectivity, 81% CO selectivity, energy efficiency of 7.9% and 0.74% (by mole) coke formation were achieved. In addition, using SnNi/Al2O3, consisting of 0.5 wt% Sn and 5 wt% Ni/Al2O3, 15% CH4 conversion, 19% CO2 conversion, 64% H2 selectivity, 70% CO selectivity, energy efficiency of 6.0%, and 2.1% (by mole) coke formation were achieved. Sn enhanced the reactant conversions and energy efficiency, and resulted in a reduction in coke formation; these results are comparable to that achieved when using the noble metal Ag. The decrease in the formation of coke could be correlated to the increase in the CO selectivity of the catalyst. Good dispersion of the secondary metals on Ni was found to be an important factor for the observed increases in the catalyst surface area and catalytic activities. Furthermore, the stability of the catalytic reactions was investigated for 1800 min over the 0.5 wt% Ag-5 wt% Ni/Al2O3 and 0.5 wt% Sn-5 wt% Ni/Al2O3 catalysts. The results showed an increase in the reactant conversions with an increase in the reaction time.