Carbon dioxide reforming of methane in a SrCe0.7Zr0.2Eu0.1O3−δ proton conducting membrane reactor

Utilizing CO2 for fuel production holds the promise for reduced carbon energy cycles. In this paper we demonstrate a membrane reactor, integrating catalytic CO2 reforming of methane with in-situ H2 separation, that results in increased CO2 and CH4 conversion and H2 production compared to a Ni catalyst alone. The tubular proton-conducting SrCe0.7Zr0.2Eu0.1O3−δ membrane reactor demonstrates that the addition of the membrane improves CO2 conversion, due to in-situ H2 removal, by 10% and 30% at 900 °C for CH4/CO2 = 1/1 and CH4/CO2/H2O = 2/1/1 feed ratios, respectively. It also improves total H2 production at 900 °C by 15% and 18% for CH4/CO2 = 1/1 and CH4/CO2/H2O = 2/1/1, respectively. Further, the H2/CO in the reactor side effluent can be adjusted for subsequent desired Fischer-Tropsch products by combining CO2 reforming and steam reforming of methane.

► Integrated catalytic protonic-membrane reactor demonstrated for CO2 reforming of CH4.
► Membrane increases CO2 conversion and H2 production by 30% and 18%, respectively.
► CO2 reformation is combined with steam reforming for desired product H2/CO ratios.