Volume 28: Closing Carbon Cycles – A Transformation Process Involving Technology, Economy, and Society: Part III

Experimental study of solar-enhanced photo-thermochemical CO2 reforming of CH4 for syngas production Xiangyu Yan, Buchu Lu, Qibin Liu

Abstract

The use of solar energy to produce solar fuels, such as CO and H2, by the reforming reaction between CH4 and CO2 is a promising technology to alleviate the global warming effect caused by CO2. The carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CRM) reaction is an endothermic reaction, and can only be carried out at a high temperature. The photo-thermochemical CRM method is studied, in which solar energy is directly concentrated on Ni/CeO2 catalyst to reduce the CRM reaction temperature. XRD and SEM are used to characterize the composition and morphology of Ni/CeO2 catalyst. And the synergetic effects of light and heat in photo-thermochemical reactions are investigated. The results show that photo-thermochemical reactions have higher CH4 conversion and production rate of H2 than thermochemical reactions at the same temperature. It is found that photo-generated carriers play an important role in improving CRM performance. These findings provide a promising way to consume CO2 and achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.

Keywords photo-thermochemical reaction, CO2 reforming of CH4, CO2 consumption, solar fuels