Abstract:
In this study, BFA supported Ni/CaO catalysts were synthesized, characterized and
evaluated their catalytic behaviour for syngas production via partial oxidation of
methane (POM) reaction in a fixed bed thermal reactor. Ni/CaO-BFA was synthesized
by using biomass fly ash (BFA) and eggshell derived CaO supported catalyst. The
catalyst was characterized by using various characterization techniques including Xray
diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Xray
analysis (EDX), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy (FTIR) and RAMAN spectroscopy for the investigation of reaction
performance, metal dispersion, thermal stability and coke deposition. The
characterization results demonstrated the better dispersion of Ni metal over support
material with enhancing thermal stability at high temperature POM reaction and
suppressed coke deposition due to the presence of active Ni species and BFA as main
support. The 10% Ni/CaO-BFA tested for POM and demonstrated superior catalytic
behaviour in CH4 conversion and H2/CO ratio than BFA, CaO and CaO-BFA.
Maximum 87% CH4 conversion was achieved by utilizing 10% Ni/CaO-BFA with
H2/CO ratio of 1.9 as it is an effective precursor for liquid fuels (FT synthesis)
production. The most stable catalyst has shown coke resisting properties in POM
reaction even after 36 hours which was confirmed by the characterization of spent
catalyst. Thus, the development of more efficient catalyst with the influence of Ni
content and support on POM activity was extensively studied.
