Solar reforming of methane in a direct absorption catalytic reactor on a parabolic dish

Conference · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6194009

Muir, J F; Hogan, Jr, R E; Skocypec, R D ^[1]; Buck, R ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
2. Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Stuttgart (Germany, F.R.). Inst. fuer Technische Thermodynamik

The concept of solar driven chemical reactions in a commercial-scale volumetric receiver/reactor on a parabolic concentrator was successfully demonstrated in the CAtalytically Enhanced Solar Absorption Receiver (CAESAR) test. Solar reforming of methane (CH{sub 4}) with carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) was achieved in a 64-cm diameter direct absorption reactor on a parabolic dish capable of 150 kW solar power. The reactor was a catalytic volumetric absorber consisting of a multi-layered, porous alumina foam disk coated with rhodium (Rh) catalyst. The system was operated during both steady-state and solar transient (cloud passage) conditions. The total solar power absorbed reached values up to 97 kW and the maximum methane conversion was 70%. Receiver thermal efficiencies ranged up to 85% and chemical efficiencies peaked at 54%. The absorber performed satisfactorily in promoting the reforming reaction during the tests without carbon formation. However, problems of cracking and degradation of the porous matrix, nonuniform dispersion of the Rh through the absorber, and catalyst deactivation due to sintering and possible encapsulation, must be resolved to achieve long-term operation and eventual commercialization. 17 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6194009
• Report Number(s): SAND-90-2674C; CONF-910318-13; ON: DE91005054
• Resource Relation: Conference: 13. ASME-JSME international solar energy conference, Reno, NV (USA), 17-22 Mar 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
METHANE
CATALYTIC REFORMING
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
REFORMER PROCESSES
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHEMICAL REACTORS
CRACKS
FOAMS
MODIFICATIONS
PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
RHODIUM
TESTING
THERMAL DEGRADATION
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
ALKANES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COLLOIDS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
DISPERSIONS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HYDROCARBONS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PLATINUM METALS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
140505* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-)
400500 - Photochemistry