| CO2 conversion and utilization is gaining significant attention worldwide not only because CO2 has an impact on global climate change, but also provides an important carbon source for potential fuels and chemicals. Tri-reforming combines steam methane reforming, CO2 dry reforming, and methane oxidation and has been proposed by some researchers as a promising method of reutilizing CO2, without pre-purification. In this work, a detailed study on tri-reforming, both from a catalytic perspective and a process design analysis was carried out. First, the feasibility and profitability parameters were investigated using Aspen Plus simulation software. Second, using a novel reverse micelle technique, nanoparticle catalysts were developed to enhance the tri-reforming reactions. Also, in situ infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the different surface species within the support that allows for oxygen dissociation of CO2 under different reaction conditions. Finally, kinetic parameters for tri-reforming using commercial Ni-based catalyst was investigated and found to fit a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) model with good agreement with the experimental results. The kinetic data was used to model a one dimensional heterogeneous reactor to understand the concentration and temperature distribution inside the tri-reformer thus realizing the industrial scale simulation, and optimization of a tri-reforming reactor. |
