CARBON DEPOSITION IN METHANE REFORMING WITH CARBON-DIOXIDE - DRY REFORMING

Coke formation in the dry reforming of methane was studied using a the rmobalance (TG) and with a catalytic microreactor in the temperature r ange 800-950 K. Silica-supported and lanthana-supported nickel catalys ts were examined. The effects of process variables such as temperature and gas composition (He dilution, CH4/CO2 ratio) on the coke formatio n rate were determined. The reactivity of H-2 On several kinds of carb on was also investigated. The morphology of the coke was studied by sc anning electron microscopy (SEM). The induction times for coke formati on were significantly affected by temperature and by the CO content in the feed gas. The results of catalytic tests were consistent with the TG measurements. The behaviour of SiO2 and La2O3 supported Ni catalys ts agree with a mechanism in which the lanthana support plays an impor tant role in the carbon deposition.