Methane dry and mixed reforming on the mixture of bio-char and nickel-based catalyst with microwave assistance

•A mixture of biomass derived char and a commercial nickel-based catalyst is used for methane reforming.•Ni/bio-char with the weight ratio of 10% presents better activity than others.•Energy efficiency is dependent of the used material and the reforming temperature.•The obtained conversions and the H2/CO ratio are promoted in mixed reforming on Ni/bio-char.

This paper concerns microwave-assisted methane reforming with or without water. In this work, a heterogeneous mixture of biomass derived char (i.e., bio-char) and a commercial nickel-based catalyst is used for the reforming reaction. The obtained conversions, equivalent carbon consumption, energy efficiency and consumption are focused on. Ni/bio-char with the weight ratio of 10% imposes better activity than others. Equivalent carbon consumption on these materials initially decreases with time and tends to be stable afterward. Carbon consumption in bio-char is relieved when using Ni/bio-char with the ratio ranged from 5% to 10%. Energy efficiency is dependent of the used material and the reforming temperature. The optimized efficiency under the higher temperature is obtained on Ni/bio-char with the lower ratio. Energy consumption on Ni/bio-char with the ratio of 10% is 7.9 kW h−1 of per m3 of syngas produced and this value is lower than others. From the point of the conversions, carbon consumption and energy utilization, Ni/bio-char with the ratio of 10% is favorable for the reforming reaction. The obtained conversions and the H2/CO ratio are promoted in mixed reforming on Ni/bio-char.