Dry Reforming of Methane Using a Solar-Thermal Aerosol Flow Reactor

Abstract

Research has focused on dry reforming because it offers a sink for CO 2 and relative to steam methane reforming produces a more desirable ratio of H 2 to CO for feed to a Fischer−Tropsch synthesis process. To form synthesis gas by dry reforming in a rapid, environmentally benign manner, a fluid-wall aerosol flow reactor powered by concentrated sunlight has been designed. Operating with residence times on the order of 10 ms and temperatures of approximately 2000 K, CH 4 and CO 2 conversions of 70% and 65%, respectively, have been achieved in the absence of any added catalysts. Methane to carbon dioxide feed ratios greater than unity were fed in order to prevent reaction of CO 2 with the graphite tube. The carbon black particles formed by reaction were amorphous carbon black with a primary particle size of approximately 20−40 nm.