Microwave-Assisted Catalytic Conversion of Tar Using Iron Catalyst Doped with Ni/La/Ce

Conference · Wed Jun 19 04:00:00 EDT 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2404368· OSTI ID:2404368

Linge Gowda, Anitha Shankara ^[1]; Bai, Xinwei ^[1]; Muley, Pranjali ^[1]

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1. NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory

The goal of this research is to study the microwave-assisted catalytic dry reforming of toluene using Fe/Al2O3 as a catalyst in the presence of various dopants such as Ni/La/Ce in a conventional fixed-bed reactor. Initial studies show that both CO2 and toluene conversion can be achieved up to 85% at 500 °C. Higher toluene conversion and syngas production was achieved under microwave conditions compared to conventional thermal conditions. The pre and post-reaction catalyst characterizations were performed using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The tar analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The product gas mainly consisted of H2, CO, methane, propane, ethylene, and ethane along with small amounts of benzene, and naphthalene. The production of benzene indicates the hydrodemethylation (HDM) process of toluene, which requires hydrogen to initiate the reaction. The reaction pathway was proposed based on the observed product gas.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), Office of Carbon Management (FE-20)
• OSTI ID: 2404368
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English