Carbon deposition behavior of a Co–Ni aerogel catalyst in CH4 oxy-CO2 reforming using various types of reactors

•Co–Ni aerogel catalyst in the MAFB reactor accumulates the least amount of carbon.•Carbon species deposited on the catalyst in the MAFB reactor are more active.•The reduced agglomerate and bubble size in the MAFB enhances its carbon resistance.

Carbon deposition behavior of a Co–Ni aerogel catalyst in CH4 oxy-CO2 reforming is investigated using a deactivation method in three types of reactors including a magnetic field assisted fluidized bed (MAFB) reactor, a conventional fluidized bed reactor and a fixed bed reactor. The spent catalysts are analyzed by TG/DSC and FESEM. It is found that the reactor influences the amount as well as type of carbon species on the spent catalysts. The amount of carbon on the spent catalyst in the MAFB reactor is 11.7 wt.%, which is 10.8 wt.% and 2.6 wt.% less than those in the fixed bed and conventional fluidized bed reactors. Fluidization behavior analysis reveals that agglomerate and bubble size of the catalyst are obviously decreased with the application of the MAFB, which should be accounted for the enhanced carbon resistance of the reactor.