High-temperature attrition of sorbents and a catalyst for sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming in a fluidized bed environment

Mechanical degradation of the solid particles used in sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming (SE-SMR) was investigated in a gas jet attrition apparatus. The performance of a dolomite, a limestone and a commercial reforming catalyst were compared based on the air jet attrition index (AJI). The dolomite showed the poorest resistance to attrition, likely due to the extra pore volume caused by calcination of MgCO3. The degree of loss of fines from the catalyst was significant, pointing to the need to develop catalysts suited to fluidized bed operation. Co-fluidization of the harder catalyst and the dolomite did not lead to additional attrition of the dolomite.