Catalytic syngas production from greenhouse gasses: Performance comparison of Ru-Al2O3 and Rh-CeO2 catalysts

In this work, 3% Ru-Al2O3 and 2% Rh-CeO2 catalysts were synthesized and tested for CH4–CO2 reforming activity using either CO2-rich or CO2-lean model biogas feed. Low carbon deposition was observed on both catalysts, which negligibly influenced catalytic activity. Catalyst deactivation during temperature programmed reaction was observed only with Ru-Al2O3, which was caused by metallic cluster sintering. Both catalysts exhibited good stability during the 70 h exposure to undiluted equimolar CH4/CO2 gas stream at 750 °C. By varying residence time in the reactor during CH4–CO2 reforming, very similar quantities of H2 were consumed for water formation. Reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction occurred to a very similar extent either with low or high WHSV values over both catalysts, revealing that product gas mixture contained near RWGS equilibrium composition, confirming the dominance of WGS reaction and showing that shortening the contact time would actually decrease the H2/CO ratio in the syngas produced by CH4–CO2 reforming, as long as RWGS is quasi equilibrated. H2/CO molar ratio in the produced syngas can be increased either by operating at higher temperatures, or by using a feed stream with CH4/CO2 ratio well above 1.