THE USE OF SOLAR-BASED CO2 CH4 REFORMING FOR REDUCING GREENHOUSE-GAS EMISSIONS DURING THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY AND PROCESS HEAT/

CSIRO/Pacific Power research on using the reversible CO2/CH4 reforming reaction for solar energy storage and transport is described. Catalys ts have been developed and used to conduct the forward and reverse rea ctions in fluidised-bed reactors under practical conditions without ca rbon formation. Thermochemical energy storage rates up to 30 MW(th)/to nne of catalyst were obtained. Closed and open loop thermochemical hea t-pipes based on CO2/CH4 reforming have a range of applications in Aus tralia. They have considerable potential in reducing the emissions of Greenhouse gases associated with the production of electricity and pro cess heat. Results of a techno-economic evaluation of selected concept s ate presented. Concepts for linking solar energy to the reformer hav e been identified and future work must focus on reactor scale-up and l inking the reformer with solar energy.