Technology Opportunity: Dispersed Nickel on Beta Zeolite as Stable Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane

Invention Reference Number: 202305487

Technology Summary

Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide that is used for the production of a variety of chemicals of mass consumption; however, the current industrial process to produce syngas is polluting and requires the use of water as co-reactant. Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is an alternative route for producing syngas, where no water co-feed is required, instead the reactants are methane and carbon dioxide — two greenhouse gases. However, catalysts that enable DRM suffer from deactivation. This technology is a novel catalyst that outperforms the state-of-the-art DRM, and deactivates extremely slowly — saving energy and eliminating greenhouse gases.

Description

Much of the hydrogen available for commercial and industrial use is produced using a process known as SMR, steam-methane reforming. But this process demands water consumption and produces pollutant carbon dioxide. DRM is a greener alternative to SRM. However, operation at moderate temperatures, around 650 degrees Celsius, leads to catalyst deactivation and deacceleration of the DRM reaction. This invention is a catalyst that has minimal deactivation while performing the DRM reaction to produce syngas. The catalyst is composed of nickel and zeolite, and is stable at moderate temperatures. Strong interaction stabilized dispersed nickel particles in the zeolite support, which prevents rapid deactivation at 650 degrees Celsius.

Benefits

• Cheaper and longer lasting than state-of-the-art
• Can be used at moderate temperatures
• No greenhouse gases produced
• Less energy input required
• Less stress and wear on equipment

Applications and Industries

• Chemical industry
• Oil companies

Contact

To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.