Low temperature dry reforming of methane using Ru-Ni-Mg/ceria-zirconia catalysts: Effect of Ru loading and reduction temperature

• Published in: Applied catalysis. A, General Vol. 645; p. 118842
• Main Authors: Sokefun, Yetunde Oluwatosin, Trottier, James, Yung, Matthew M., Joseph, Babu, Kuhn, John N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Science SA 05.09.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biogas; Biogas conversion; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Cerium oxides; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; Low temperature; Low temperature dry reforming; Metal loading; Methane; Reduction; Reduction temperature; Reforming; Ru-Ni-Mg-ceria zirconia catalysts; Ruthenium; Synergistic effect; Temperature; Zirconium dioxide
• ISSN: 0926-860X; 1873-3875
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2022.118842

Dry reforming catalysts, especially those with activity at moderate temperatures, have been intensely investigated to enhance the conversion of biogas. Here, Ru is evaluated as a promoter for Ni-Mg based catalysts. Catalysts based on 1.4 wt%Ni-1.0 wt%Mg-Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 with Ru (0.02–0.32 wt%) were prepared using incipient wetness. The reducibility of the catalysts and conversions increased with increasing Ru content. Increases in conversions with increasing Ru loading was attributed to the additional active sites and synergistic effect between Ru and Ni, which weakened Ni-Mg interactions. Samples showed dry reforming activity at low temperatures (450–510 °C). Reaction rates and activation energies of higher loading Ru samples (1.4 wt%Ni-1.0 wt%Mg/Ce0.6Zr0.4 O2 with 0.16 and 0.32 wt%Ru) decreased when the reduction temperature was raised from 300 to 400 °C. A 20 h TOS study showed stable catalytic activity with minimal coke deposition. The results suggest that Ru is an alternative to Pt in promoting low temperature dry reforming of methane.