Catalytic Technology for Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane to Synthesis Gas

TLDR

Mitigating greenhouse gases such as CO₂ and CH₄ is a key energy challenge, and dry reforming of methane (DRM) offers a way to convert these gases directly into synthesis gas—a precursor for liquid fuels—without the need to separate CO₂ from natural gas. This review surveys the development of CO₂ reforming for syngas production, examining process chemistry, catalyst design, and technology options, and outlining future directions. The authors analyze DRM by discussing reaction chemistry, catalyst development, and process technologies to assess their potential for efficient syngas production.

Abstract

Abstract The mitigation and utilization of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are among the most important challenges in the area of energy research. Dry reforming of CH 4 (DRM), which uses both CO 2 and CH 4 as reactants, is a potential method to utilize the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Natural gas containing high concentrations of CO 2 and CH 4 could therefore be utilized for hydrogen and synthesis gas (syngas) production in the near future, without need for the removal of CO 2 from the source gas. Thus, the DRM reaction is a suitable process to convert CH 4 and CO 2 to syngas, which is a raw material for liquid fuel production, through the Fischer–Tropsch process. Herein, the development of CO 2 reforming for syngas production is reviewed, covering process chemistry, catalyst development, and process technologies as well as the potential future direction for this process.