Tri-reforming as a process of CO₂ utilization and a novel concept of energy storage in chemical products

Department of Fuel Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza Av. 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland

^* Corresponding author: swirk@agh.edu.pl

Abstract

Methane tri-reforming process is a combination of three reactions: steam methane reforming (SRM), dry methane reforming (DRM), and partial oxidation of methane (POM). The first two reactions have endothermic character, while the POM is the exothermic reaction, which allows to obtain the energy necessary for the other two processes in situ. CH₄ reacts with H₂O, CO₂, O₂, and synthesis gas is produced with desired H₂/CO ratios (1.5 – 2.0). The presence of H₂O and O₂ in the reaction environment can positively influence the stability of the used catalyst, by the inhibition of coke formation.

In this paper two scenarios for methane tri-reforming implementation are discussed: (i) Tri-reforming as a effective way for chemical CO₂ utilization, without the separation of carbon dioxide from flue gases from fossil fuel-fired power stations, and (ii) dry reforming of methane improved by the addition of water and oxygen, which may be applied as a chemical energy storage process. The literature on the subject of trireforming is shortly reviewed, including thermodynamics of the process, the possible conversions of methane and carbon dioxide, and proposed catalysts, both studied in tri-reforming, and in single processes (SRM, DRM and POM).