Tri-reforming of methane over Ni/ZrO2 catalyst derived from Zr-MOF for the production of synthesis gas

Abstract

Tri-reforming of methane (TRM) is a promising route for using greenhouse gases such as CH4 and CO2 to produce synthesis gas with the H2/CO ratio of 1.5-2. In this study, a series of Zr-MOF synthesized via the solvothermal method, and impregnation technique was used to synthesize the nickel impregnated on MOF derived ZrO2 catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by various methods, including N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, TPR, CO2-TPD, TGA, Chemisorption, FE-SEM, HR-TEM etc. Characterization results confirmed the formation of the Zr-MOF and nickel metal dispersed on MOF derived ZrO2. Further, the tri-reforming activity of the catalyst developed was evaluated in a downflow packed bed reactor. The various catalysts were screened for their TRM activity at different temperatures (600-850 oC). Results demonstrated that TRM was highly favorable over the NZ-1000 catalyst due to its desirable physicochemical properties, including nickel metal surface area (2.3 m2/gcat-1), metal dispersion (7.1%), and nickel metal reducibility (45%), respectively. Over NZ-1000 catalyst and optimum H2/CO ratio of ~1.6-2 was achieved at 750 °C, and it was stable for longer period of Time.